Popcopy (2007)

From Wind Repertory Project
Scott McAllister

Scott McAllister


This article is a stub. If you can help add information to it,
please join the WRP and visit the FAQ (left sidebar) for information.


General Info

Year: 2007
Duration: c. 14:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Lydmusic
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $350.00   |   Score Only (print) - Unknown   |   Movements may be purchased separately.


Movements

1. More Cowbell! ($175 when purchased separately) – 3:35
2. One Time at Band Camp ($150 when purchased separately) – 4:25
3. Serenity Now – 5:55


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
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
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Many cowbells

(other percussion detail desired)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Popcopy is a work in three movements that is inspired by famous popular culture catchphrases. The first movement, More Cowbell!, is based on a popular Saturday Night Live skit. In this movement, four cowbell parts surround the band to emulate the struggle of balance between the band and the cowbells, but the cowbells also help keep the band together during complex rhythmic sections.

The second movement, One Time at Band Camp, is a catchphrase from the movie American Pie. The character Michalle Flahery is an eccentric nerd who tells many annoying stories about her experience at band camp. The character plays the flute, so the flute soloist and flute section of the band are featured. This movement portrays reminiscences of summer love found and lost.

Serenity Now is inspired by an episode from the final season of of Seinfeld. George's father, Frank Costanza, is advised to say "serenity now" aloud every time his blood pressure is in danger. Instead of calming saying the phrase, Frank yells it each time. The character Kramer also uses the catchphrase, but when he finally has a mental breakdown, he discovered that saying the phrase only makes things worse. Like the episode itself, the music deals with the line between sanity and insanity with at least four other story lines going on at the same time. There are multiple band quotes (shrouded tributes to Holst, Hindemith, and Sousa), aleatoric and non-metered sections, and a schizophrenic form to this final movement.

- Program Note by composer


Popcopy is a work in three movements that is inspired by famous catchphrases. The first movement, More Cowbell, is based on the popular Saturday Night Live skit featuring Will Ferrell as a fictional cowbell player for the band Blue Öyster Cult. Ferrell’s character, Gene Frenkle, fervently tells the band that since there are no songs that feature a cowbell, he would be doing a disservice to himself and the band if he didn’t “play the hell out of this” cowbell. The producer then coins the famous phrase: “Guess what?! I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is… more cowbell!” In this movement, cowbell parts surround the band to emulate the struggle of balance between the band and the cowbells, but the cowbells also help in keeping the band together during complex rhythmic sections.

- Program Note from University of Texas, Arlington, Wind Symphony concert program, 2 April 2018


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Kansas All State 56A Band (Paula A. Crider, conductor) - 25 February 2023
  • CBDNA Small College Intercollegiate Band (Athens, Ga.) (John R. Locke, conductor) – 18 February 2023 (CBDNA 2023 National Conference, Athens, Ga.)
  • Tarleton State University (Stephenville, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (David Robinson, conductor) – 10 February 2022 (2022 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
  • United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Bryan P. Sherlock, conductor) - 19 August 2021
  • Iowa State University (Ames) Wind Ensemble (Michael Gokemo, conductor) - 23 April 2021
  • University of Kansas (Lawrence) Symphonic Band (Matthew O. Smith, conductor) – 20 October 2016
  • Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Weatherford) Symphonic Band (Keith Talley, conductor) – 24 April 2016
  • Lynn Conservatory of Music (Boca Raton, Fla.) Wind Ensemble (Kenneth Amis, conductor)– 15 January 2016
  • Northwest Missouri State University (Maryville) Wind Symphony (John Bell, conductor) – 2 February 2014
  • University of North Florida (Jacksonville) Wind Symphony (Gordon R. Brock, conductor) – 30 March 2011
  • Baylor University (Waco, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (J. Eric Wilson, conductor) – 28 March 2009 (CBDNA 2009 National Conference, Austin, Tx.) *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

Retrieved from "https://www.windrep.org/index.php?title=Popcopy_(2007)&oldid=412979"