On the Merrimack

From Wind Repertory Project
Andrew Boysen, Jr.

Andrew Boysen, Jr.


General Info

Year: 2010
Duration: C. 6:00
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Wingert-Jones
Cost: Score and Parts - $50.00   |   Score Only - $6.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
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
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

  • Anvil
  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Brake Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Hi-Hat
  • Marimba
  • Metal Drum
  • Rainstick
  • Sandpaper Blocks
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-Tam
  • Tom-Tom
  • Triangle
  • Vibra-slap
  • Wind Chimes
  • Wood Block


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

On the Merrimack came into existence largely due to the efforts of Chris Martin, a wonderful band director in Manchester, New Hampshire. Chris wanted to have a piece written to honor her native city. She began the process by taking me on a tour of the Manchester Historic Association’s Millyard Museum, teaching me about the widely varied periods in the history of Manchester. We discussed the piece at length, eventually coming to the realization that the one constant throughout the city’s history was the central importance of the Merrimack River. Initially the river was a source of sustenance for the Pennacook Indians. Later it became the source of power for the Amoskeag Mills, attracting immigrants of German, Irish, and French Canadian backgrounds to work and live in Manchester. Most recently, the river has become a source of recreation and entertainment, while the city has revitalized once again, this time using the old mill buildings as homes for companies focused on technology. Throughout each of these periods, the beauty and power of the Merrimack River has been ever-present.

The structure of On the Merrimack, therefore, attempts to represent these three periods, The Pennacook Indians, Amoskeag and the mills, and technology and growth, with connective sections representing the Merrimack River. Much of the melodic material for the piece is taken from the French Canadian folk song, Weaving in the United States.

On the Merrimack was commissioned by Chris Martin and the Manchester, New Hampshire, Southside Middle School Band (Matthew Hammond, director), and is dedicated to the city of Manchester, New Hampshire.

-Program Note from score


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Boysen, Jr., A. (2010). On the Merrimack [score]. Wingert-Jones Publications: Kansas City, Mo.