Sparks
General Info
Year: 2007
Duration: c. 3:50
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: FJH Music Company, Inc
Cost: Score and Parts - $65.00 | Score - $10.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crash Cymbals
- Glockenspiel
- Marimba
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Triangle
- Tubular Bells
- Vibraphone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
This magical work depicts how incredible things happen with just a small spark – whether it is a spark of the imagination or a tiny spark that becomes a magnificent fire. A tapestry of sounds is woven throughout the woodwinds and percussion as brass enters with bold fanfares to open the work. A lyrical middle section at the same tempo keeps the energy moving as the piece eventually drives toward a riveting finish. The work changes character several times as it explores various aspects of its title. However, despite its multifaceted form, it also seeks to show the seamlessness of these ideas, indicating the presence of a universal spark. The piece is essentially a metaphor that attempts to reveal the true power of even the smallest of actions or events. It reminds us that we are all capable of making a difference, no matter how insignificant we think we are.
Sparks was commissioned by the Carl Sandburg Middle School Bands, Alexandria, Virginia, Charlie Burts and Joe La Brie, directors, dedicated to Donna Pasteur.
- Program Note from publisher
Media
(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)
State Ratings
- Texas: II. Complete
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Oregon (Eugene) Campus Band (Eric Wiltshire, conductor) - 16 November 2023
- University of Oklahoma (Norman) New Horizons Concert Band (Andrew Cox, conductor) - 8 December 2022
- Hochstein School (Rochester, N.Y.) Junior Wind Symphony (John Rolland, conductor) - 15 October 2022
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Concert Band (Sarah McKoin, conductor) – 26 March 2018
- University of Kansas (Lawrence) University Band (Sharon Toulouse, conductor) – 20 February 2017
- Bel Air (MD) Freshmen Band (Cornelius A. Young, conductor) - 19 May 2016
- Gwynn Park High School Concert Band (Brandywine, MD) (Cornelius A. Young, conductor) - Spring 2013
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Arabian Dances (Adaptable Band) (2009/2021)
- Arith-Metric No. 1 (Adaptable Band) (2020)
- Blue Ridge Reel (Adaptable Band) (2013/2020)
- Colliding Visions (Adaptable Band) (2010/2020)
- Focal Point (Adaptable Band) (2021)
- Focal Point. See also: Suite Treats
- Jungle Dance (Adaptable Band) (2011/2022)
- A Little Matrix Music (Adaptable Band) (2020)
- Moscow, 1941 (Adaptable Band) (2006/2020)
All Wind Works
- 3, 2, 1... (2019)
- Action Scene (2022)
- African Journey (2001)
- Always United, Forever Strong (2013)
- American Big Top (2018)
- Among the Clouds (2004)
- Apollo (2008)
- Apparitions (2010)
- Arabian Dances (2009)
- Arabian Dances (Adaptable Band) (2009/2021)
- Arctic Wars (2020)
- Arith-Metric No. 1 (Adaptable Band) (2020)
- The Awakening (2003)
- Backstage Pass (2015)
- Beyond the Summit (2004)
- Blue Ridge Impressions (2001)
- Blue Ridge Reel (2013)
- Blue Ridge Reel (Adaptable Band) (2013/2020)
- Boom and Bust (2018)
- Breaking Point (2019)
- Breaking Through (2021)
- Bright Morning Stars
- Bringer of War (2017)
- The Broken Marionette (2014)
- Call of the Wild (2013)
- Camptown Variations (2001)
- Centennium (2021)
- Central Junction (2011)
- Chant and Savage Dance (2005)
- Chesapeake Serenade (2002)
- Clutch (2023)
- Colliding Visions (2010)
- Colliding Visions (Adaptable Band) (2010/2020)
- Comet Ride (2006)
- Concerto for Two Hands (2015)
- Conquest (2003)
- Courtly Dance and Procession (2004)
- Creatures in the Attic (2010)
- The Crystal Fountain (2022)
- Dragonfly (2001)
- Eagles Among Us (2017)
- Electricity (2009)
- Elements (2010)
- Emblazoned (2023)
- Enchantment (2013)
- Endless Rainbows (2013)
- Escapades (2005/2017)
- Escape from the Deep (2010)
- Eternal Flame (2024)
- Etowah (2008)
- Evocatio (2014)
- Falcon Fanfare (2012)
- Fanfare Canzonique (2003)
- Fanfare Forza (2022)
- Fanfare Heroica (2011)
- Fanfare and Fireworks (2012)
- Fanfare on a Theme of Imagination (2015)
- A Festive Fanfare (2017)
- A Festive Finale (2019)
- Fiesta de los Toros (2017)
- The Fire's Fury (2022)
- Flight (2005)
- Flight of the Griffin (2003)
- Focal Point (Adaptable Band) (2021)
- Focal Point. See also: Suite Treats
- Forever... (2014)
- Fusion (2007)
- Gateways (2018)
- Gettysburg (2002)
- Grace (2016)
- Gravity Wave (2011)
- Groove Music (2013)
- Haunted Clocks (2014)
- Heart of Gold (2020)
- A Hero's Destiny (1999)
- Homage to Bharat (2018)
- Hopscotch (arr. Lindveit)
- A House Divided (2013)
- How Sweet the Sound (2024)
- Hypnotic Fireflies (2012)
- Ichabod Fanfare (2011)
- Images of Ireland (2004)
- In Nature's Glory (2002)
- Incantation and Ritual (2004)
- Industrial Loops (2017)
- Infinite Hope (2018)
- Instant Christmas Spirit (2001)
- Into the Arctic (2015)
- Invictus (2000)
- Jingle Bell Tones (2004)
- Journal for a Soldier (2010)
- Journey By Night (1998)
- Joy in All Things (2012)
- Joy of Life (2015)
- Jungle Dance (2011)
- Jungle Dance (Adaptable Band) (2011/2022)
- Kilauea (2005)
- Kindred Spirits (2009)
- Kitsune: The Fox Spirits (2010)
- Kyiv, 2022 (2022)
- Legacy (2002)
- Legend (2001)
- Legend of the Drop Bear (2016)
- A Life Worth Living (2023)
- A Light at the End of Forever (2016)
- A Little Matrix Music (Adaptable Band) (2020)
- Lone, Wild Bird (as arranger) (c. 1835/2023)
- Loudoun Praises (2005)
- Love and Light (2020)
- Lullaby to the Moon (2017)
- Majestica (2006)
- Marche Diabolique (2014)
- Metal (2013)
- Metamorphic Dances (2019)
- Midnight on Main Street (2009)
- Midnight Suite
- Midnight Mission (2005)
- Midnight Sky (2006)
- Midnight Madness (2007)
- Miles of Blue (2020)
- Miramar Fanfare (2003)
- Moscow, 1941 (2006)
- Moscow, 1941 (Adaptable Band) (2006/2020)
- Motion (2006)
- Nevermore (2011)
- Not Afraid to Dream (2006)
- The Nutcracker (as arranger) (2008)
- O Mio Babbino Caro (2000)
- Of Emperors and Chariots (2000)
- Olympia (2005)
- On Top of the World (2017)
- Open Space (2014)
- Parade of the Jesters (2002)
- Pele (2004)
- Phasing Thunder (2014)
- Pikes Peak (2019)
- Pixelated World (2020)
- Pride of the Clipper (2020)
- Primal Dances (2018)
- Proclamation (2000)
- Proudly We Hail (as arranger) (1814/2002)
- Radiance (2018)
- Raging Machines (2008)
- Rain (2008)
- Rapture (2022)
- Renaissance Reimagined (2017)
- Reverberations (2009)
- Rhythms and Riffs (2008)
- Rippling Watercolors (2015)
- Rise of the Bladesmith (2012)
- Rite of Passage (2000)
- Rocky Mountain Romp (2007)
- Sapier's Story (2002)
- Scenes from an Ocean Voyage (2009)
- A Scottish Festival (2021)
- Shadow Waltzes (2016)
- Shadows Unleashed (2013)
- Shenandoah Triptych (2002)
- Shrine of the Fallen (2016)
- Silence Overwhelmed (2010)
- Smithsonian Suite (2003)
- A Solitary Wish (2017/2018)
- Sound Prisms (2002)
- Sparks (2007)
- The Spirit of Aloha (2015)
- Spirit of the Stallion (2016)
- Spontaneous Beings (2017)
- Stages (2021)
- Stampede (2010)
- Star Above, Shine Brightly (2001)
- The Star-Spangled Banner (as arranger) (1814/2014)
- Starscapes (2007)
- Starsplitter Fanfare (2009)
- Still (2012)
- Suite Treats. See: Focal Point
- Summer Dances (2000)
- Summer Resounding! (2008)
- Summit City (2006)
- Sun Cycles (2012)
- Super (Em)Powers (2020)
- Swirling Prisms (2017)
- Symphonic Episodes (2004)
- Symphony No. 1 for Brass (1998)
- Synthesis (2016)
- The Tears of Arizona (2016)
- Temple of the Murals (2011)
- That Which Binds Us (2015)
- Three Celtic Dances (2008)
- Thrill Ride (2019)
- Through Courageous Eyes (2003)
- Through the Mist (2009)
- Thunderbolt Fanfare (2019)
- To Dance Among the Stars (2020)
- Tomorrow's Yesterdays (2011)
- Trust in Angels (2017)
- Twittering Machine (2017)
- Unknown (2022)
- A View of the World (2001)
- Waves (2007)
- Whale Warriors (2009)
- What I Do Today... (2022)
- When Spirits Soar (2006)
- Whispering Winds (2003)
- The Wild One! (2023)
- Winged Victory (2007)
- Wings to the Mind (2021)
- Winter Dances (2001)
- Within the Castle Walls (2012)
Resources
- Brian Balmages website Accessed 15 September 2020