One Life Beautiful
General Info
Year: 2010
Duration: c. 5:40
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Musica Propria
Cost: Score and Parts - $95.00 | Score Only - $14.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet I-II
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Contrabass 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
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crash Cymbals
- Chimes
- Crotales
- Orchestra Chimes
- Suspended Cymbal
- Vibraphone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
One Life Beautiful -- The title itself is a double-entendre which in one sense is referring to the person this work is dedicated to as in “one life” that was beautifully lived. The other sense is a direct observation concluding that having only one life is what makes life so sacred, tragic and so very precious. This is an impressionistic work musically describing that condition. Shakespeare’s “sweet sorrow,” the frailty and strength of life, the meaning of what it is to truly live One Life Beautiful.
- Program Note from publisher
The main theme, beautiful yet sad, seems to ebb and flow within the slow tempo of the piece. Although there is an abundance of agogic and dynamic markings throughout the piece, Giroux stresses that the work could be performed in a myriad of ways and encourages performers to play it with their “own heart, mind, and musicality at the helm."
- Program Note for the Hiroshima Wind Orchestra concert program, 23 December 2017
One Life Beautiful was written in memory of Heather Cramer Reu for her “one life beautiful” that brought so much love and joy to our lives. The piece was commissioned by Ray and Molly Cramer, husband Phillip Reu and children, and brother Jeremy, his wife, Michelle, and children.
- Program Note by composer
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
- Audio: UPEI Wind Symphony (Karem J Simon, Conductor)
State Ratings
- Georgia: VI
- MusicFest Canada: B400
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- ACB 2023 Massed Pride Band (Orlando, Fla.) (David Triplett-Rosa, conductor) – 20 May 2023 (ACB 2023 Annual Convention (Orlando, Fla.))
- Valley Wind Ensemble (Harrisonburg, Va.) (Stephen P. Bolstad, conductor) - 15 May 2023
- Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland Wind Festival Orchestra (Fresno, Calif.) (John Carnahan, conductor) - 26 March 2023 (2023 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)
- Clovis (Calif) High School Wind Symphony (Esmeralda Rocha Lozano, conductor) - 24 March 2023 (2023 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)
- University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Symphonic Band (Jerry Luckhardt, conductor) -- 28 February 2023
- Syracuse (N.Y.) University Wind Ensemble (Benjamin Vermilyea, conductor) - 23 February 2023
- University of Georgia (Athens) Honor Wind Symphony (Ricky Fleming, conductor) - 22 January 2023
- Chicago Wind Symphony (Chicago, Ill.) (Michael McCain, conductor) - 7 January 2023
- San Jose (Calif.) Wind Symphony (Troy Davis, conductor) - 4 December 2022
- Idaho State University (Pocatello) Wind Ensemble (Patrick Young, conductor) - 16 November 2022
- Missouri University of Science & Technology (Rolla) Wind Symphony (David Samson, conductor) - 11 November 2022
- National Concert Band of America (Alexandria, Va.) (Adrian Holton, conductor) - 23 October 2022
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's) Wind Ensemble (Bill Brennan, conductor) - 20 October 2022
- University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Mb., Can.) Wind Ensemble (Jacquie Dawson, conductor) - 14 October 2022
- University of British Columbia (Vancouver) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Robert Taylor, conductor) - 13 October 2022
- Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) Concert Band (Cory Near, conductor) - 24 September 2022
- Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) Dorian Summer Camp High School Band (Cory Near, conductor) - 25 June 2022
- University of South Carolina (Columbia) Wind Ensemble (Jay Jacobs, conductor) – 24 February 2022 (CBDNA 2022 Southern Conference, Columbia, S.C.)
- The Naperville (Ill.) Winds (Sean Kelley, conductor) - 24 February 2022
- The Ohio State University (Columbus) Symphonic Band (Scott A. Jones, conductor) - 20 February 2022
- Butler University (Indianapolis, Ind.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Tyler Long, conductor) - 3 October 2021
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- The Bonsai Tree (Flex instrumentation) (2010/2020)
- Chanukkah, Oh Chanukkah (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
- Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1739/2020)
- I'll Be Home A-fore Ye (Flex instrumentation) (2003/2020)
- Market Bridge (Flex instrumentation) (2013/2020)
- One Life Beautiful (Flex instrumentation) (2010/2020)
- Opa! (Flex instrumentation) (2017/2020)
- Our Cast Aways (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- A Time to Dance (2006) (Flex instrumentation) (2006/2020)
All Wind Works
- Across the Isle of Skye
- Af-free-kah! (2013)
- All Good Things (2003)
- All Through the Night (as arranger) (2011)
- Always (2019)
- Amaranthine (2008)
- Appalachian Portrait (2017)
- Arcus IX
- The Ash Grove (2019)
- Autumn Rose (2017)
- Away in a Manger (as arranger) (2011)
- Before the Sun (2013)
- Beyond Measure (2023)
- Beyond the Gates (2022)
- The Bench by the Sea (2017)
- The Blue Marble (2022)
- The Bonsai Tree (2010)
- Bookmarks from Japan (2013)
- Boston Liberties (2003)
- Burning the Wickerman (2020)
- Carnaval! (2013)
- Celestial Seas (2014)
- Chanukkah, Oh Chanukkah (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
- Chorale for Wind Band and Melodic Percussion (as arranger) (2015)
- Christmas and Sousa Forever (as arranger) (2010)
- Christmas Toons (2012)
- Christmas with Mozart (2007)
- Circus Franticus (2001)
- Córdoba (2013)
- Crown of Thorns (1998)
- Culloden (2000)
- Dragon Sky (2015)
- Dream Dancer (2005)
- The Elements. See: Symphony No. 5
- Empire (2006)
- An Epic Fanfare. See: Three Fanfares
- Fantasy in French (2012)
- Fields of Gold (2019)
- The First Noel (as arranger)
- Fort McHenry Suite (2000)
- Freedom Rising (2017)
- Glenbury Grove (2009)
- Glorious Light (2019)
- Godspeed (2023)
- The Grace in Being (2013)
- The Greatest Generation (2002)
- Hands of Mercy (2001)
- HardDrive (2010)
- Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1739/2020)
- Hark! Those Bells Are Smokin’ (2011)
- The Hearthstone (2016)
- Husaria Cavalry Overture (2006)
- Hymn for the Innocent (2016)
- I Got Rhythm for Christmas (2012)
- Il Burlone (2000)
- I'll Be Home A'fore Ye (2006)
- I'll Be Home A-fore Ye (Flex instrumentation) (2003/2020)
- I'll Be Home for Christmas (as arranger) (1943/)
- Imbizo (2007)
- Impressions (2013)
- In My Father's Eyes (2017)
- In the Bleak Midwinter (as arranger) (1906/2018)
- Incantations (2019)
- Integrity Fanfare and March
- Italian Rhapsody (2005)
- Jerusalem (as arranger)
- Jingle Them Bells (as arranger) (1857/2011)
- Journey Through Orion (2006)
- Just Flyin'! (2015)
- K2 (2012)
- Kalanu (2002)
- Khan (2008)
- La Mezquita de Córdoba (2005)
- Legacy (2011)
- Let Your Spirit Sing (2003)
- The Little Drummer Boy's Bolero
- The Little Sparrow
- Louisiana Parish Sketches (2001)
- Mambo Perro Loco (2008)
- March of the Sun Dried Tomatoes (2000)
- Market Bridge (Flex instrumentation) (2013/2020)
- Medalist Fanfare (2013)
- Mile High (2023)
- Moonshine. See: Shine
- Movin' on Down the Line (2009)
- My Soul to Keep (2019)
- Mystery on Mena Mountain (1985)
- Mythic (2021)
- The Nature of the Beast (2001)
- Nearer, My God, To Thee (as arranger) (2010)
- Nihonbashi. See: Market Bridge
- No Finer Calling (2006)
- No Man's Land (2017)
- Nothing That Is (2000)
- Nutcracker Fantasia (as arranger) (1891/2012)
- O Holy Night (arr. Giroux) (1847/2011)
- Of Blood and Stone (2015)
- Of Silence and Sparrows (2022)
- One Life Beautiful (2010)
- One Life Beautiful (Flex instrumentation) (2010/2020)
- One Torch, Two Women, Three Ships and Men Rejoicing (2011)
- Opa! (2018)
- Ouachita (1987)
- Our Cast Aways (2018)
- Our Cast Aways (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- Outlander (2010)
- Overture in Five Flat (2010)
- Paprikash (2014)
- Peter Patapan (2011)
- Poseidon (2010)
- Primality 2006)
- Prisoner of the Ring (1986)
- Radiant Shadows (2016)
- Rain Softly on Me (2022)
- The Red Baron Drummer
- Riften Wed (2013)
- River Shannon (2020)
- Shadow Falls (2013)
- Shine (2017)
- Silent Night in Gotham (as arranger) (1818/2009)
- Space Symphony (1986/1991)
- The Speed of Heat (2010)
- Stealing Home (2016)
- A Stocking Full of Composers (2009)
- Strathcona Suite (2012)
- Sun Catcher (2022)
- Swashbuckler (2010)
- Symphony No. 1. See: Culloden
- Symphony No. 2. See: A Symphony of Fables
- Symphony No. 3. See: No Finer Calling
- Symphony No. 4. See: Bookmarks from Japan
- Symphony No. 5 (2017)
- Symphony No. 6. see: The Blue Marble
- A Symphony of Fables (2006)
- Taboo for Trumpet and Wind Ensemble
- Three Fanfares (2003)
- Three Wise Guys (2011)
- Tiger Tail March (2000)
- A Time to Dance (2006)
- To Walk with Wings (2000)
- Trillium
- The Twelve Days of Christmas (2012)
- The Twelve Gallon Hat (2013)
- Under the Influence (2022)
- Under the Willow (2015)
- A Very Merry Heart and Soul
- Vigils Keep (2005)
- Vortex (2015)
- Wagon Trail (2003)
- West Wind Overture (2012)
- What Child Is That Playing Carol of the Bells? (as arranger) (2011)
- What Goes in the Night (2000)
- When Country Comes to Town (2008)
- Where the Red Fern Grows (2016)
- Wild West Overture
- Winter from "The Four Seasons" (as arranger) (1725/)
- Without You
- Wolves in Moonlight (2019)
- Zephyr, Chorale and Dance (2012)
Resources
- Giroux. J. (2010). One Life Beautiful [score]. Musica Propria: San Antonio, Tx.
- Golemo, Michael. "One Life Beautiful." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 10, Compiled and edited by Richard Miles, 667-673. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2015.
- Julie Giroux website Accessed 10 July 2021
- Pease, Andy. "One Life Beautiful by Julie Giroux." Wind Band Literature, 9 September 2023. Accessed 9 September 2023