ISS Flyover

From Wind Repertory Project
Peter Meechan

Peter Meechan


General Info

Year: 2012
Duration: c. 5:50
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Peter Meechan Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - £80.00; (digital) - £50.00   |   Score Only (print) - £15.00; (digital) - £10.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV
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-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Shaker
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

I.S.S. Flyover was written in August 2012, when the International Space Station (I.S.S.) was visible in the sky over my home town of Manchester, UK. This is not an uncommon occurrence (www.heavens-above.com is a useful tool to help you find when the orbit of the I.S.S. passes over), but what was unique about this particular pass was that there would be astronauts carrying out repair work on the outside of the station.

The idea that something that seemed to pass so quick in the skies above us juxtaposed with what must have seemed a slow, dangerous journey for the astronaut is what lead me to write this piece.

The opening passage is a fast, ostinato-driven section; the speed and energy that the I.S.S. is perceived from earth. The middle section is desolate and sparse; the astronauts looking down on earth as they slowly orbit around the globe, the loneliness of space. The final section is a return to the original material -- this time with even more momentum and drive, provided by the percussion.

I.S.S. Flyover was commissioned by a Canadian consortium of: the University of Saskatchewan, Brandon University, the University of Calgary, Harmonie Laval, Memorial University of Newfoundland, the University of Prince Edward Island, the University of Toronto and Anthony Reimer, Calgary, Alberta. The work is dedicated to Darrin Oehlerking who organised the commission consortium.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Cleveland (Ohio) Youth Wind Symphony Group I (Darren Allen, conductor) – 29 January 2023
  • University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Mb., Can.) Wind Ensemble (Jacquie Dawson, conductor) – 2 December 2022
  • University of New Mexico (Albuquerque) Symphonic Band (Steven Smyth, conductor) – 16 November 2022
  • University of Arizona (Tucson) Concert Band (Evan Gibson, conductor) – 28 April 2018
  • Cleveland (Ohio) Youth Wind Symphony I (Gary M. Ciepluch, conductor) – 25 April 2016


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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