Category 4

Erika Svanoe

Subtitle: For Concert Band with Amplified iPad

General Info

Year: 2021
Duration: c. 5:20
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Swan Maiden Press
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $50.00 (print) - $60.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
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
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V-VI-VII-VIII, including:

Auxiliary
Bass Drum
Bells
Marimba
Snare Drum
Vibraphone
Xylophone

Amplified iPad

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Category 4 is a piece for concert band with amplified iPad. The title refers to Hurricane Harvey, classified as a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. This title also sounded like it might come from a science fiction story about computers and technology, which ties in the synthesized sounds of the tablet. With this title and concept in mind, the composition incorporates several instances of the number 4, including use of 4/4 time, utilizing groups of four notes rhythmically, four notes traveling up melodically, as well as extensive use of the melodic interval of a perfect 4th. Additionally, several of the sounds utilized in the tablet part have water adjacent names such as “fluid motions” and “warming waves” that refer to the flooding that caused so much devastation.

The ending of the piece attempts a note of hope and optimism, reflecting that we can survive and persevere through difficult challenges and come out stronger on the other side.

The work was commissioned by the Kingwood Park High School Symphonic Band, Robbie T. Sitka, Bryan Hess, and Danielle Dewees, directors and premiered in 2021.

- Program Note by composer

Media

Audio: University of New Hampshire (Durham) Wind Symphony (Andrew Boysen Jr., conductor)

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Augsburg (Minn.) University Concert Band (Erika Svanoe, conductor) - 17 October 2021
University of New Hampshire (Durham) Wind Symphony (Andrew Boysen, Jr., conductor) - 14 November 2021

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein (Flex instrumentation) (2014/2020)
Steampunk Scenes (Flex instrumentation) (2015/2021)

All Wind Works

Band of Heroes (2018)
Baskerville (2019)
Category 4 (2021)
Claremont Triumphant (2011)
Clocktower Fanfare (2016)
Echoes (2018)
El Salon Mexico (as arranger) (2009)
First Suite Fanfare (2020)
Florence & Alice (2021)
Four Grainger Songs (as arranger) (2003)
The Haunted Carousel (2015)
A Journey in Time (2020)
Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein (2014/2019)
Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein (Flex instrumentation) (2014/2019/2020)
She Dares, She Leaps (2022)
Springtime Ride (2018)
Steampunk Scenes (Flex instrumentation) (2015/2021)
Steampunk Suite (2015/2017)
Symphony in Blue & Gold (2023)
The Town Band (2022)
Tutued Toucan Can-Can (2021)
Where no one has gone before (2023)

Resources

Erika Svanoe website Accessed 11 July 2022