Solace in the Equinox

From Wind Repertory Project
Tyler Grant

Tyler Grant


General Info

Year: 2017
Duration: c. 6:50
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Tyler S. Grant Music Works
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $120.00   |   Score Only (print) - $35.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
Contrabassoon
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
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bar Chimes
  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • China Cymbals
  • Marimba
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone


Errata

In Score:

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet I, last note: Should be D, not E.


Program Notes

Occasionally, I find certain works to be harder to write about than others. Even long after the piece is completed, the thought of describing the emotional and personal significance in a brief program note seems almost impossible. Such is the case for Solace in the Equinox...

Solace in the Equinox was written in memory of my late friend, mentor, and brother Tony Wood. Tony and I became friends in August of 2013; just three short weeks later, he was diagnosed with stage-IV pancreatic cancer. After a brave thirteen-month battle, he passed away in September of 2014 surrounded by his friends and loved ones. Amongst the many characteristics of his personality we all remember, he was known for living every day to the fullest and having a positive impact on every person he met. He put a smile on the face of everyone, gave to those in their time of need, and kept a strong faith despite the trials and challenges he, his wife Debbie, and daughters Emily and Olivia had been facing.

It wasn't until I was approached by Carolina Perez in 2016 that I felt ready to write something to honor him and all that he meant to me in our short, but meaningful, friendship. As I began to think of the title, I remembered that the day before his funeral happened to be the fall equinox. On that day, I remember finding comfort in a letter he had written just months prior where he talked about the fragility of life and how we must try not to grieve, but rather rejoice in the fact that a place has been prepared for us to see each other again. I also found comfort in the metaphoric meaning of the fall equinox -- where we know that, from this point on, there will be a little more darkness in our day than light; however, we know that the world will keep spinning and, over time, we will still experience light, joy, and happiness.

- Program Note by composer


Commissioned by a consortium organized by Carolina Perez (Eastern Randolph High School Bands, NC).


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Colorado Boulder Symphonic Band (Matthew Dockendorf, conductor) - 24 February 2023
  • University of Central Florida (Orlando) Wind Ensemble (Scott Lubaroff, conductor) – 27 February 2020
  • New England Conservatory (Boston, Mass.) Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (Michael Mucci, conductor) – 17 December 2019
  • Spartan Youth Wind Symphony (East Lansing, Mich.) (Arris Golden, conductor) – 2 December 2018
  • Alabama High School Honor Band (Tuscaloosa) (Jason Noble, conductor) - 3 February 2018
  • Scarsdale (N.Y.) High School Wind Ensemble (Jason Noble, conductor) – 14 December 2017
  • University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) Symphonic Band (Tyler S. Grant, conductor) – 9 October 2017 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

Retrieved from "https://www.windrep.org/index.php?title=Solace_in_the_Equinox&oldid=410327"