Fantasy on a Theme by Sousa

From Wind Repertory Project
Andrew Boysen, Jr.

Andrew Boysen, Jr.


General Info

Year: 2003 / 2006
Duration: c. 7:55
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Neil A Kjos Music
Cost: Score & Parts - $60.00   |   Score Only - $6.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
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
French Horn I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bongos
  • Glockenspiel
  • Gong (or Tam-tam)
  • Marimba
  • Sandpaper Blocks
  • Slapstick
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle
  • Tubular Bells
  • Vibraphone
  • Wind Chimes
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Fantasy on a Theme of Sousa was commissioned by the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Jefferson High School Band Parents Association in honor of the career of former Director of Bands Earle Dickinson. It was premiered at Jefferson High School on March 17, 2003, by the Jefferson Wind Symphony, Thad Driskell, conductor.

As one of hundreds of alumni of the Jefferson Band program under Earle Dickinson, I was enormously honored to be given the opportunity to compose a work in his honor. The course of my life was affected greatly by this wonderful person and, although he would be hesitant to admit it, the same is true of many who passed through the "Band of Blue". I am very proud of my alma mater and the degree to which the band has developed since my time in the 1980s.

How then to write a piece that would appropriately pay tribute to Mr. D? I asked Thad Driskell and Andy Houk (present directors), and even Mr. D himself, for their opinions. I wanted to write something that Mr. D would like, and so I asked him what pieces he enjoyed the most throughout his career. One of the things he mentioned was his recent interest in the music of John Philip Sousa. This prompted me to think of my favorite Sousa march, Fairest of the Fair, written in 1908. I decided that a composition based on that theme might be able to incorporate many of the things Mr. D loves most.

The resultant piece includes additional tributes to Mr. D: much of the material presented by Mr. D's instrument, the trombone; there are quotations from the beginning of Jefferson High School's Alma Mater; and there are also two instances where repeated notes ring in the chimes twenty-two times, representing the twenty-two years in which Mr. D served as director of bands.

It is my sincere hope that this piece in some way can represent the emotions of gratitude felt by so many of us toward Mr. D. Above all else, I hope he likes it!

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Frostburg (Md.) State University Wind Ensemble (Ashley Glenn, conductor) - 6 March 2022
  • Ithaca (N.Y.) College Concert Band (Benjamin Rochford, conductor) - 4 March 2020
  • Ohio State University (Columbus) High School Honor Symphonic Band (Scott A. Jones, conductor) – 19 January 2020
  • Texas A&M University (College Station) Concert Band (Russell Tipton, conductor) - 2 March 2019
  • The Ohio State University (Columbus) Collegiate Winds (Kristin Lin, conductor) – 21 February 2017
  • Florida International University Symphonic Band (Barry Bernhardt, conductor) - 16 November 2010
  • University of Nevada (Reno) Symphonic Band (Brad McDavid, conductor) – 15 March 2006 (CBDNA 2006 Western/Northwestern Division Conference, Reno, Nev.)


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

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