Sensus Vitae

From Wind Repertory Project
Nathan Daughtrey

Nathan Daughtrey


Subtitle: A Fanfare & Chorale for the Good of Humanity


General Info

Year: 2013
Duration: c. 4:20
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C. Alan
Cost: Score and Parts - $92.00   |   Score Only - $16.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe (optional)
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-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (optional)
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Tom-Tom
  • Vibraphone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Sensus Vitae, or “the meaning of life,” was written for the Wake Forest University Bands. The work cleverly weaves the school’s fight song into the texture. The composer states, “I was given a single phrase from which to draw inspiration: Pro Humanitate — This is Wake Forest’s motto which roughly translates from Latin as, 'for humanity' or 'to serve humanity.' Ultimately, it was a simple quote from Leo Tolstoy that gave the piece wings: 'The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.'"

The first eight notes of the fight song are heard in a brief brass fanfare after the upper woodwinds and percussion set the stage. After a climax, the mood settles down, giving way to a clarinet/flute duet, which is loosely based on the opening notes of the fight song. The original tune continues to transform into something more original and intense until the percussion takes over in a bombastic fashion, accentuated by syncopated bursts from the rest of the ensemble. After the dust settles, the fight song is stated as a chorale in the alto saxophones, horns, and low brass, with brief interjections from the upper woodwinds and percussion. This gradually builds to a full ensemble majestic presentation of the theme, bringing the piece to a glorious conclusion.

- Program Note by the Buchholz High School Wind Symphony concert program, 17 December 2014


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class A


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Daughtrey, N. (2013). Sensus Vitae: A Fanfare & Chorale for the Good of Humanity [score]. C. Alan Publications: Greensboro, N.C.