Asylum

From Wind Repertory Project
Andrew David Perkins

Andrew David Perkins


General Info

Year: 2017
Duration: c. 6:05
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Andrew David Perkins
Cost: Score and Parts (print or digital) - $120.00   |   Score Only - $25.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II-III
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-tam


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Traverse City State Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan, (previously known as the Northern Michigan Asylum) is the last Kirkbride Building in the state. Completed in 1885, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1985. Dr. James Decker Munson was a firm believer in the "beauty is therapy" philosophy. Patients were treated through kindness, comfort, pleasure, and beautiful flowers provided year-round by the asylum's own greenhouses and the variety of trees Munson planted on the grounds. Restraints, such as the straitjacket, were forbidden. Also, as part of the "work is therapy" philosophy, the asylum provided opportunities for patients to gain a sense of purpose through farming, furniture construction, fruit canning, and other trades that kept the institution fully self-sufficient.

Changes in the law and mental health care philosophies brought on the decline of the institution, and it was closed in 1989. Over the next decade, the community struggled with plans for reuse of the hospital grounds, until 2000, when the Grand Traverse Commons Redevelopment Corporation secured an agreement to renovate the historic buildings. Their efforts have led to the gradual but successful preservation and re-use of the former Building 50 as part of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a residential and commercial development. The beautiful complex now houses condominiums, stores and shops, bakeries, art galleries and gourmet restaurants.

Asylum is a tone poem that that attempts to reflect the complex beauty, pain, and healing of both the people who lived and worked here, as well as the incredible architectural achievement of the Kirkbride building itself.

- Program Note from publisher


Awards

  • The American Prize in Composition—Band/Wind Ensemble (professional division), 2018-19, second place
  • NBA Revelli Award, 2018, finalist


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Symphony Band (David Thornton, conductor) – 24 October 2017


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources