Havana

From Wind Repertory Project
Kevin Day

Kevin Day


General Info

Year: 2018
Duration: c. 7:45
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $200.00   |   Score Only (print) - $25.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Castanets
  • Claves
  • Cowbell
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Drum Set
  • Glockenspiel
  • Maracas
  • Marimba
  • Tambourine
  • Timbales


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Havana was a wind ensemble piece that I started working on in 2017, got about 30 measures into writing, and then put on the shelf. I couldn’t think of what to do with it or come up with an idea, so I ended up just putting it aside until I could. I ended up forgetting about it, and while I was searching through my music files on a night in September 2018, I stumbled on this work and found inspiration to write on what I had. I wanted to tell a story with the piece and make it authentic, and so I spent a lot of time carefully writing the work. After messing with a few titles and feeling a good amount of frustration, I decided to go with Havana, despite there being a viral pop song already in existence with the same name (a song that is honestly a guilty pleasure of mine to listen to). This piece, however, has nothing to do with the Camilla Cabello mega-hit.

Havana (for Wind Ensemble) is a 7:30-minute work that is heavily influenced on Cuban music, rhythms, and percussion. I wanted to highlight different dance genres such as salsa, mambo, and cha-cha, while also making the piece in my own voice. I have a strong love for Latin music, and so this was incredibly fun to write. I sought to paint a mental picture of the city of Havana, the beautiful landscape, and the culture that it is known and beloved for. There are many “Latin-influenced” pieces for band already and so I wanted to make Havana stand out as one that is exciting and memorable. I hope that performers and audiences will tap their foot, bop their heads, and feel the music.

- Program Note by composer


Awards

  • BMI Student Composer Award, 2019, winner
  • William Revelli Composition Contest, finalist, 2019-2020


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Connecticut (Hartford) All-State Band (T. André Feagin, conductor) - 1 April 2023
  • Western University (London, Ont., Can.) Wind Ensemble (Colleen Richardson, conductor) - 10 February 2023
  • United States Coast Guard Band (New London, Conn.) (Adam Williamson, conductor) - 11 April 2022 (Southern Connections Tour, 2022)
  • University of Central Florida (Orlando) Symphonic Band (Tremon Kizer, conductor) - 8 April 2021
  • Murray (Ky.) State University Wind Ensemble (Trae Blanco, conductor) - 16 February 2021
  • Ohio University (Athens) Wind Symphony (William Talley, conductor) - 11 February 2021
  • Clements High School (Sugar Land, Tx.) Symphonic Band (Daniel Galloway, conductor) - 20 December 2019 (2019 Midwest Clinic)
  • Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) Symphony Band (Caroline Hand, conductor) – 6 December 2019
  • Illinois State University (Normal) Wind Symphony (Anthony Marinello, conductor) – 21 November 2019
  • University of Georgia (Athens) Hodgson Wind Ensemble (Andrew Blair, conductor) – 1 October 2019
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Symphonic Band (Andrew Trachsel, conductor) – 26 September 2019
  • Texas Christian University (Fort Worth) Concert Band (Matt Garrett, conductor) – 18 April 2019
  • Texas Christian University (Fort Worth) Wind Symphony (Bobby R. Francis, conductor) – 19 November 2018 Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Day, K. (2018). Havana [score]. Murphy Music Press: McKinney, Tx.
  • Kevin Day website Accessed 21 November 2018
  • Knopps, Amy M. "Havana." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 12, Compiled and edited by Andrew Trachsel, 773-785. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2021.
  • Perusal score
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