Gestures

From Wind Repertory Project
Randall Standridge

Randall Standridge


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General Info

Year: 2019
Duration: c. 7:50
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Grand Mesa Music
Cost: Score and Parts - Available summer 2020


Movements

1. A Smile and a Firm Handshake (Meter)
2. An Invitation to Dance and a Poke in the Ribs (Style)
3. An Embrace...A Sigh (Dynamics)
4. A Wave Goodbye; Reaching towards the Horizon (Changes)


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-VII

(percussion detail desired)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Well, the cat’s out of the bag so I can finally share this piece. My career has been the result of a lot of hard work on my part, but I have received a lot of help, guidance, and assistance along the way. Two people that have had a huge impact on my career are Dr. Kenneth Singleton and Dr. Richard Mayne, both of the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. Dr. Mayne contacted me last year and asked if I would be willing to write a composition in honor of Dr. Singleton, who is retiring. I was delighted to do so for the following reasons.

In addition to their duties on faculty at UNC, both gentlemen serve on the editorial board for Grand Mesa Music publications, which is where I really made my first mark in the band world. In addition, their ensembles record the demo recordings for all the Grand Mesa concert band compositions. However, they always did more than that. They offered great advice for improving the pieces, and we will have many conversations about where my compositional career needed to go. Their advice and mentorship during the past decade has proved invaluable, and my success is partially due to their efforts on my behalf. Over the years, they have also become friends.

The piece Gestures is a celebration of conductors. Each movement represents an idea of a physical body gesture, as well as a musical style. The opening work, which appropriately begins with the sounds of a concert band tuning, evolves into a study in meter and exciting conducting gestures. The second movement is more humorous in nature, and also explores a more staccato and lighthearted type of movement for the conductor. My honest inspiration for this movement was what if Molly, from Molly on the Shore, grew up to be a craggy old lady driving through traffic at the invention of the automobile. I imagine she would make a few gestures of her own.

The third movement is rooted in harmony and lyricism, and explore is the slower and more expressive side of conducting. The last movement is very cinematic in nature and depicts a person setting out on a new journey. This movement is 100% in honor of the retirement of Dr. Singleton and the retirement of Dr. Mayne, as they start new chapters in their lives, leaving a legacy of music, friends, and fantastic performances in their wake.

I would again like to thank Dr. Singleton and Dr. Mayne for everything they have done for me, and wish them well for whatever the future holds. Thank you for trusting me with this commission, and for your unwavering belief in my talent and your demand that I always rise above myself and do better. I will try.

- Program Note by composer


Commissioned by Dr. Richard Mayne and the University of Northern Colorado Bands to celebrate the distinguished career of Dr. Kenneth "Doc" Singleton on his retirement.

- Program Note from score


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) Festival Wind Ensemble (Lowell E. Graham, conductor) – 2 February 2020


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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