Area A Suite

From Wind Repertory Project

This is a suite of five independent compositions by four composers:
Katherine Bergman, Arthur Breur, Garrett Hope and R. Christopher Teichler


Subtitle: A 'Thank You For Being So' Suite


General Info

Year: 2019
Duration: c. 14:30
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: In Publication
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Movements

1. The Healer, composed by Arthur Breur, arranged by Garrett Hope - 2:50
2. Taking Flight, by Arthur Breur - 2:40
3. Pertinacity, by Chris Teichler - 2:15
4. The Thinker, by Garrett Hope - 2:55
5. The Animal Whisperer, by Katherine Bergman - 2:32

These works are intended to stand alone or to be used as a full or partial suite, with no requirement for a specified order. Each individual movement is planned [in 2019] to be published separately at The Portfolio Composers Collective.


Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone (optional)
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, varied by movement, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Cymbals
  • Drum Kit
  • Field Drum
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Snare Drum
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-tam
  • Temple Blocks
  • Toms
  • Triangle
  • Tubular Bells
  • Vibraphone
  • Wind Chimes


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

AREA A: A 'Thank You For Being So' Suite was conceived by TPC Collective (composed of Katherine Bergman, Arthur Breur, Dr. Garrett Hope, and Dr. Chris Teichler) in December 2018 as a thank you to an anonymous patron who had just covered the entire expense for furnishing the collective's booth at The Midwest Clinic in 2018.

Wanting to create an inclusive gift between the four of them, the composers agreed to each compose a short (two- to three-minute) work for wind ensemble. A friend of the collective, composer Alex Shapiro, suggested that the work could be called a "thank you for being so" suite. Arthur Breur knew the patron had five children, so suggested the children be the inspiration for each work; each composer could then create one full movement, leaving just one movement to be created alone or in collaboration.

Arthur Breur had recently completed a commission from the Tualatin Valley Community Band's (Tigard, Ore.) 30th Anniversary (Tuesday Night Overture) and suggested composing the music for that ensemble, targeting its instrumentation (full concert band with percussion) and skill level (grade 3-3.5). Work on the five movements was completed in the summer of 2019, with the "collaborative" movement being composed for piano by Arthur Breur and arranged for concert band by Garrett Hope.

AREA A refers to the initials of the patron's children by age. At the time of composition, their ages ranged from 12 to 25, from junior high school to medical school. Descending in age, their names are Ashley, Robert, Ellie, Adam, and Ann. Titles of the works were derived from the personality and interests of each, as described in an interview with the patron.

  • The Healer (Ashley, in medical school), composed by Arthur Breur, arranged by Garrett Hope
  • Taking Flight (Robert, studying to be a pilot in the Air Force Academy), by Arthur Breur
  • Pertinacity (Ellie, tenacious, unstoppable), by Chris Teichler
  • The Thinker (Adam, intense, intellectual), by Garrett Hope
  • The Animal Whisperer (Ann, described as "an animal whisperer", has mentioned interest in becoming a veterinarian), by Katherine Bergman

The suite was premiered on Sunday, December 8, 2019, by the Tualatin Valley Community Band, Kevin Soon conducting, at Tualatin Presbyterian Church in Tualatin, Oregon.

- Program Note by Arthur Breur


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Tualatin (Ore.) Valley Community Band (Kevin Soon, conductor) – 8 December 2019 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Arthur Breur, personal correspondence, December 2019
  • Tim Roberts, personal correspondence, December 2019