Escapade (Spaniola)

Joseph T. Spaniola

General Info

Year: 2001
Duration: c. 8:05
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Musica Propria
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $130.00 | Score Only (print) - $30.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II (II doubling C Piccolo)
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass 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-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani (also plays Crash Cymbals, Triangle, and Slapstick)
Percussion I-II-III, including:

Bass Drum
Bongos
Brake Drum
Cabasa
Chimes
Cowbell
Drum Set
Glockenspiel
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Tam-Tam
Timbales
Tom-Toms (3: high, mid and low)
Vibraphone
Vibra-slap
Wind Chimes
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

I was given the opportunity to premiere a work at the 2001 American Bandmasters Association Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was to be performed by The United States Air Force Band of the Rockies. My initial concept for this piece was to freely explore a simple idea and let it lead wherever it might. Technically, I wanted to write a piece that took advantage of the special talents of the musicians in the Band of the Rockies: to musically engage and challenge them. In my search for a clearer vision of the work, I came across the word “escapade,” defined as an adventurous action or journey that runs counter to the norm and often leads to unexpected results or destinations. This word captured the spirit of the unrestrained approach I had in mind and it propelled me into the work. I started with four pitches, the first four of the piece, and simply followed where they led. The result of this exploration is Escapade.

- Program Note by composer

The use of jazz influences in classical music dates to the early twentieth century. The term "third stream" is often associated with this type of music that combines stylistic and harmonic elements of the symphonic and jazz idioms. Escapade includes a variety of styles, including later twentieth-century classical, waltz and funk.

- Program Note from Teaching Music Through Performance

Awards

NBA/William D. Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest, winner, 2001.

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
Audio CD: U.S. Air Force Academy Band (Philip C. Chevallard, conductor) - 2006
Audio CD: Medalist Concert Band (Earl Benson, conductor) – 2002

State Ratings

Georgia: VI
Kansas: V
Tennessee: VI

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Lakota East High School (Liberty Township, Ohio) Symphonic Winds (Rob Tanis, conductor) - 21 April 2023
University of North Texas (Denton) Concert Band (Brett Penshorn conductor) – 24 February 2020
United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Bryan P. Sherlock, conductor) – 6 June 2019
State Symphonic Band of Sao Paulo (Shawn Smith, conductor) – 3 May 2014
Medalist Concert Band (Cannon Falls, Minn.) (Earl Benson, conductor) – 19 December 2002 (2002 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Resources

Joseph Spaniola website Accessed 5 September 2017
Meunier, Robert. "Escapade." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 9, edit. & comp. by Richard Miles, 688-696. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2013.
Perusal score
Spaniola, J. (2002). Escapade: For Concert Band [score]. Musica Propria: San Antonio, Tex.