City Trees

From Wind Repertory Project
Michael Markowski

Michael Markowski


General Info

Year: 2012
Duration: c. 6:40
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Markowski Creative
Cost: Score and Parts - $195.00   |   Score Only - $35.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
B-flat Bass Clarinet I-II
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium div&a2
Tuba div&a2
String Bass
Harp (optional)
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V-VI, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Chimes
  • Crotales
  • Marimba
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Vibraphone


Errata

In Parts:

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet IV, m.7: Second note in this measure, ‘C,’ should be changed to a ‘D.’


Program Notes

I had just moved from Arizona to New York City when I began sketching the first fragments of City Trees. After being born, growing up, and living in the desert for 25 years of my life, moving to New York so suddenly was and continues to be one of the most challenging things I've ever done. I think it has also been one of the bravest. I left my friends, my family, and my ridiculously cheap rent all without much planning.

Every time I walk down a street in New York, I notice the trees shackled by the sidewalk. Some have little fences around them, many have trash nestled up next to their exposed roots, and others have grown so big and become so strong that they have broken right through the concrete pavement. As I pass beneath them, they all seem to wave their leafy pom-poms in the wind, a thousand leaves applauding, cheering me on as if I had just returned from the moon.

These trees have learned how to brave the concrete jungle, and it gave me solace knowing that they had flourished in such a challenging environment. Over time, the impossibilities of the city have become familiar, and although I continue to learn new lessons every day, I've slowly begun to assimilate, finding my way around, discovering new places, and making friends while still keeping close with those who aren't close by. The music in City Trees began to take on a growing sense of perseverance, embodied by the expansive melodies that sweep over the pensive, rhythmic undercurrent.

For me, City Trees is a reflection of the bravery that it often takes to venture into new worlds, embrace other cultures, and lovingly encourage new ideas. I am deeply honored to dedicate this piece to the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. Although I may never completely understand the unique challenges my friends have faced and had to overcome, I am inspired by the overwhelming courage that has been so firmly planted for 30 years and that continues to grow, perhaps slowly, but always stronger.

- Program note by composer


Media


State Ratings

  • Texas: V. Complete
  • MusicFest Canada: B500


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra (Niagara Falls, Ont., Can.) (Gillian MacKay, conductor) - 19 May 2023
  • University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) Wind Ensemble (Nicholas Junker, conductor) – 17 March 2023
  • East Central University (Ada, Okla.) Wind Ensemble (Nick Meyers, conductor) - 5 March 2023
  • University of Maryland Baltimore County Wind Ensemble (Brian Kaufman, conductor) - 5 December 2022
  • University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Mb., Can.) Wind Ensemble (Jacquie Dawson, conductor) - 2 December 2022
  • Toronto (Ont., Can.) Youth Wind Orchestra (Colin Clarke, conductor) - 18 November 2022
  • Cleveland (Ohio) Youth Wind Symphony Group I (Darren Allen, conductor) - 1 May 2022
  • University of Illinois (Champaign/Urbana) Wind Orchestra (Beth Peterson, conductor) — 1 May 2022
  • Rutgers University (New Brunswick, N.J.) Symphony Band (Julia Baumanis, conductor) - 12 December 2021
  • Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction) Best of the West Honor Band: Wind Ensemble (Birch Browning, conductor) - 11 December 2021
  • Trinity University (San Antonio, Tx.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (James Worman, conductor) - 7 November 2021
  • H.B. Plant High School (Tampa, FL) Wind Ensemble (Brian P. Dell, conductor) - 5 March 2020
  • University of Illinois (Champaign) Wind Orchestra (Beth Peterson, conductor) – 22 September 2019
  • University of Wisconsin-Parkside Wind Ensemble (Ray E. Cramer, conductor) – 9 May 2019
  • University of Central Oklahoma (Edmond) Wind Symphony (Brian Lamb, conductor) – 18 April 2019
  • University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC, Can.) Concert Winds (Christian Reardon MacLellan, conductor) – 29 March 2019
  • Westminster College (New Wilmington, Penn.) Wind Ensemble (R. Tad Greig, conductor) – 22 March 2019
  • University of Chicago (Ill.) Wind Ensemble (Chip De Stefano, conductor) – 24 February 2019
  • Oak Ridge (Tenn.) Wind Ensemble (Shaun Salem, conductor) – 10 February 2019
  • State University of New York Oswego Wind Ensemble (Trevor Jorgensen, conductor) – 16 November 2018
  • Lesbian and Gay Band Association 30th Anniversary Band (Dallas, Tx.) - 15 September 2012 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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