In the Offing
General Info
Year: 2021
Duration: c. 6:40
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts - $150.00 | Score Only - $25.00
Instrumentation
- Full Score
- C Piccolo
- Flute I-II
- Oboe I-II
- 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
- Horn in F I-II-III-IV
- Trombone I-II-III
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- String Bass (optional)
- Piano
- Timpani
- Percussion (6 players), including:
- *Bass Drum
- *Crash Cymbal
- *Crotales
- *Glockenspiel
- *Marimba
- *Mark Tree
- *Snare Drum
- *Suspended Cymbal
- *Tubular Bells
- *Vibraphone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
The word “offing” has two meanings: 1) the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore, beyond the anchoring ground; and 2) the near or foreseeable future. When I was writing this piece during my Copland House Residency in the summer of 2021, I frequently went to Charles Point on the Hudson to run in the evenings and watch the boats come in and out of the harbor. The sunset colors above the hills and the views from the shore were inspiring and are where this piece first got its genesis. Over the past 18 months, everyone has been challenged by the pandemic. This piece is an expression of hope and forward-looking optimism about the full return to making music that is in the near or foreseeable future. Like many other composers, it has been difficult to write while in semi or full lockdown, but when I was at Copland House, I was reminded of why I write music; I consider composing an awesome privilege and to be able to create something that we can all commune with in the moment is truly wonderful. I was reminded of one of my favorite Einstein quotes: “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.” As we return from our homes and back into the wonderful world of making music again, I hope that we are all rapt in awe, can open our eyes and ears, and ultimately are grateful for this wonderful thing that I took for granted: the simple act of making music together.
- Program note by composer
In the Offing was commissioned by and dedicated to the American Bandmasters Association and the University of Florida Bands.
- Program Note from score
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Arizona State University (Tempe) Wind Symphony (Jamal Duncan, conductor) - 21 November 2023
- Indiana University (Bloomington) Wind Ensemble (Stephen W. Pratt, conductor) - 3 March 2022 (87th Annual ABA National Convention)
- Indiana University (Bloomington) Wind Ensemble (Stephen W. Pratt, conductor) – 22 February 2022 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Aurora Borealis (2012)
- A Cardinal's Hymn (2012)
- The Golden Hour (2016/2017)
- In Memoriam (2015)
- In the Offing (2021)
- Indigo Train (2015)
- It Is Well (2021)
- Musica Dei, donum optimi (2013)
- Solace (2018)
- Three Images for Saxophone Octet (2015)
- Three Images for Wind Ensemble (2019)
Resources
- Joel Love website Accessed 22 February 2022
- Perusal score