Sanctuary

From Wind Repertory Project
Score Cover

Frank Ticheli


General Info

Year: 2006
Duration: 10:50
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Manhattan Beach Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $150.00   |   Score Only - $20.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass 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
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion (4-5 players), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Glockenspiel
  • Gong (or Tam Tam)
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle (large)
  • Vibraphone


Errata

  • Bassoon II, m.29, beat 3-4: Both quarter notes should be play notes, not cue notes.
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet III, m.83, beat 2: Add 8th rest.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone, m.18-19: Written G should be a played note, not a cue note.
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone, m.88: The written B-flat should be B-natural


Program Notes

Sanctuary was composed for conductor H. Robert Reynolds as a symbol of our enduring friendship. The work was commissioned in his honor, and received its premiere performance by the band he conducted for 26 years. As a personal tribute to Mr. Reynolds, who was a horn player in his earlier days, I chose the solo horn to be the work's main musical messenger. The opening prologue grows out of a set of pitches that were derived from the letters of his first name (Harrah), an idea I first used fifteen years ago in Postcard (commissioned by Reynolds in memory of his mother.) Vivid college memories of Mr. Reynolds conducting Grainger's Hill Song No. 2 and Colonial Song -- both well known favorites of his -- were also in the back of my mind, as the sounds that I created in some ways echo the lyrical mood of these works.

The word sanctuary conjures a rich array of images. It can imply a place of solitude, comfort, rest, prayer, protection. It can suggest a place that is strong and imposing or one that is very small and private. I believe all of these images are suggested at one point or another in the music. The opening bell sounds suggest peace and joyful reverence. The main horn melody is at once reflective and reassuring. There is also an underlying hint of nostalgia -- a wistfulness, perhaps suggested by the simple three-chord progression which threads the entire work. But there is also an expression of strength and power in the work's dark imposing climax.

After the climax recedes, the main melody disappears for a period of time, replaced by flute and clarinet solo episodes which create repose, space, and distance. But, in the end, the three-chord harmony returns and serves as a doorway for the final appearance of the main horn theme. The work ends with the quiet echo of the opening bells.

Sanctuary was commissioned by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association in honor of H. Robert Reynolds. The premiere performance was given by the University of Michigan Symphony Band, Michael Haithcock, conductor, at Hill Auditorium on October 22, 2005.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

  • Florida: V
  • Texas: IV


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Satellite High School (Satellite Beach, FL) Wind Ensemble (Joseph Leites, conductor) - 12 March 2024
  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX) Symphonic Wnd Ensemble (Sarah McKoin, conductor) - 1 February 2024
  • Westminster College (New Wilmington, Penn.) Wind Ensemble (R. Tad Greig, conductor) - 3 November 2023
  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Concert Band (Joel Pagán, conductor) - 7 March 2023
  • Illinois State University (Normal) Symphonic Winds (F. Mack Wood, conductor) -18 February 2023
  • University of Toronto (Ont., Can.) Wind Symphony (Pratik Gandhi, conductor) - 3 December 2022
  • Leon High School (Tallahassee, Fla.) Symphonic Band (Lee Commander, conductor) - 27 April 2022
  • University of Texas (Austin) Wind Symphony (Christopher Dickey, conductor) – 6 April 2022
  • University of British Columbia (Vancouver) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Rob Taylor, conductor) - 8 October 2021
  • Bethel University (St. Paul, Minn.) Wind Symphony (Steven Thompson, conductor) - 7 May 2021
  • Bemidji (Minn.) State University Wind Ensemble (Scott Guidry, conductor) - 18 April 2021
  • Sacramento (Calif.) State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Matthew Morse, conductor) - 16 December 2020 (Virtual)
  • Texas Christian University (Fort Worth) Symphonic Band (Brian Youngblood, conductor) - 3 December 2019
  • University of Kentucky (Lexington) Wind Symphony (John Cody Birdwell, conductor) – 24 November 2019
  • Grinnell (Iowa) College Symphonic Band (Joshua W. Neuenschwander, conductor) - 24 November 2019
  • Valdosta (Ga.) State University Wind Ensemble (Benjamin Harper, conductor) – 21 November 2019
  • Indiana University (Bloomington) Wind Ensemble (Jeff Osarczuk, conductor) – 17 October 2019
  • The Ohio State University (Columbus) Symphonic Band (Scott A. Jones, conductor) – 6 October 2019
  • Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisc.) Symphonic Band (Matthew Arau, conductor) – 25 May 2019
  • Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) Concert Band (Daniel J. Farris, conductor) – 19 May 2019
  • Brooklyn (N.Y.) Wind Symphony (Jeff W. Ball, conductor) - 11 December 2010
  • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Symphony Band (Michael Haithcock, conductor) - 22 October 2005 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Birdwell, John Cody. "Sanctuary." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 6, edit. & comp. by Richard Miles, 549-554. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2007.
  • ["Errata." Manhattan Beach Music. Accessed 4 November 2021
  • Frank Ticheli website Accessed 6 July 2020