Dolores American

From Wind Repertory Project
Giovanni Santos

Giovanni Santos


Subtitle: Symphony for Band


General Info

Year: 2023
Duration: c. 16:35
Difficulty: VII (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $300.00   |   Score Only (print) - $65.00


Movements

1. AmeriCan - 3:07
2. Power to the Powerless - 3:12
3. ¡Sí Se Puede! - 5:57


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
B-flat Bass 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-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium I-II
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-VII, including:

  • Bass Drum (Concert and small or kick)
  • Bongos
  • Cabasa
  • Claves (low, medium and high)
  • Concert Toms (1 low)
  • Congas
  • Cowbell (low and high)
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Djembe (small, medium and large)
  • Glockenspiel
  • Log Drum
  • Marimba
  • Rainstick
  • Snare Drum
  • Tambourine
  • Temple Blocks
  • Triangle (low)
  • Wind Chimes (wood)
  • Wood Block (high)
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This work was composed and dedicated to American civil rights hero, Dolores Huerta. Dolores, AmeriCan: Symphony for Band was commissioned by Dr. Saul Torres and the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley Wind Ensemble for their premiere performance at the Texas Music Educators Association meeting in San Antonio, 2023.

Born in Dawson, New Mexico (1930), Dolores Huerta lives a life of service as an organizer and activist. A hero to many, she has fought for women's rights and liberation, non-violence, immigrant rights, underserved communities, among many other causes.

In 2012, President Obama awarded Dolores with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian recognition in the United States. A trailblazer for social justice, alongside Cesar Chavez, she founded the National Farm Workers Association (1962).

Despite ethnic and gender discrimination, Dolores Huerta is one of the most influential civil rights activists of the 20th century and continues to be an example of service and good will.

Most of this work is inspired by a documentary dedicated to Ms. Huerta and produced in 2017. The documentary is biographical in nature. The first movement was inspired by a sentiment felt by many immigrants in the United States. Many feel the sense of not being American enough, partly because of the color of their skin, their last name, or their country of origin. Dolores, in an interview, expressed this same sentiment. The movement explores these feelings with strong harmonic textures and energy, and by quoting the Star Spangled Banner.

In this same interview, she was asked what her interests were, outside of her current activism. She mentioned that she loved to dance. The second movement highlights her enthusiasm for dance, music, movement and creativity.

Dolores lives a life of service, a life dedicated to her fight for equity, striving to provide opportunities for power to be given to the powerless. The third movement provides a soundtrack to these efforts.

"¡Sí Se Puede!" is the popular quote that Ms. Huerta coined to help encourage and inspire a community of organizers, workers and civil rights activitists. This phrase, "yes we can," has inspired a nation to fight for equality and equity. The final movement, with rhythmic hints of this popular phrase, also serves as a bold sountrack, paying homage to her efforts. Ms. Huerta, our world is better because of you. Thank you!

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


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Resources