Blue Norther

Rob Smith

General Info

Year: 2007
Duration: c. 7:55
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: TRN
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $95.00 | Score Only (print) - $12.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass 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
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

Bass Drum
Bongos
Castanets, mounted
Gong, small
Marimba
Sizzle Cymbal
Slapstick
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Vibraphone
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Commissioned by the Muskego High School Symphonic Band, Muskego, Wisc., Jamie Beckman, Director.

- Program Note from score

Blue Norther is a Texas term referring to a cold front that creates extremely windy conditions and dramatic temperature drops in a very short period of time. The blue norther gets its name from the blue haze that often appears at the front edge of these weather systems.

The sparse opening, with its mournful minor melody, represents a hot Texas plain before it is besieged by a blue norther. Loud percussion rolls, rapid woodwind passages and a chorale-like theme in the brass represent the norther. This aggressive and fast paced material dominates the work like the front will dominate the plain, but eventually the original mood returns as the front passes.

- Program Note from publisher

Media

Audio: Reference recording. University of Houston Moores School of Music (Rob Smith, conductor)

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

State University of New York, Potsdam, Concert Band (Michael Schaff, conductor) – 2 March 2017
Appalachian State University (Boone, N.C.) Concert Band – 21 April 2013

Works for Winds by This Composer

Beacon Fires (2009)
Blue Norther (2003/2007)
Catalytic Concerto (1993)
Dance Mix (2000)
Ear Bend (2014)
Fuse (2008)
Kicking & Screaming (2009)
Morse Code Pop (2005/2015)
Panther Fire (1996/2001)
The Path Ascending (2002)
Pendulum (2015)
Push (2001)
Slide Machinery (1998)
Westchester Daydream (2016)
Whirl (1999)

Resources

Rob Smith website – Accessed 2 March 2017