Symphonic Overture (Carter)

Charles Carter

General Info

Year: 1963
Duration: c. 4:25
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $90.00 | Score Only - $20.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion (2 players), including:

Bass Drum
Snare Drum

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Symphonic Overture is a contemporary-sounding overture of medium difficulty so scored that it can be performed with equal success by large and small groups alike. Employing the familiar three-part form (A-B-A), the opening section has a theme that is robust in character and with considerable rhythmic interest. The second theme, slow and expressive in character, is a free form based on the opening idea introduced by the first flute. At the return of the first section, the first theme is treated as a fugue subject, building to great heights as all four entrances are achieved. As the "exposition" concludes, the contrapunctal texture gives way to a homophonic quality which closes the piece. The coda, as is characteristic, utilizes material from the first theme.

- Program Note from score

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
Audio CD: LaVilla School of the Performing Arts (Jacksonville, Fla.) Band (Ann Adams, conductor)

State Ratings

Alabama: Class B
Arkansas: III
Florida: IV
Georgia: IV
Iowa: II
Kansas: IV
Louisiana: II
Maryland: IV
Michigan: Junior High AA
Michigan: Senior High B
Minnesota: III
New York: Concert Band IV
North Carolina: IV
Oklahoma: III-A
South Carolina: V
Tennessee: IV
Texas: III. Complete
Virginia: V

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Eureka (Ill.) High School Band (Todd Stalter, conductor) - 7 March 2023
Lamar University (Beaumont, Tx.) Symphonic Band (Eric Shannon, conductor) - 6 October 2022
University of Nebraska Kearney Symphonic Band (Brian Alber, conductor) - 21 April 2022
LaVilla School of the Performing Arts (Jacksonville, Fla.) Band (Ann Adams, conductor) – 20 February 2020 (CBDNA 2020 Southern Division Conference, Natchitoches, La.)
Pima Community College (Tucson, Ariz.) Wind Ensemble (Mark Nelson, conductor) – 17 October 2019
Illinois State University (Normal) University Band (Marykatheryne E. Kuhne, conductor) – 25 April 2019
Virginia Tech University (Blacksburg, Va.) Campus Band (Chad Reep, conductor) – 29 April 2018
Wheaton North High School Concert Band (Kent Krause, conductor) - 28 February 2017
New England Conservatory (Boston) Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble Concert Band (Alfred Dentino, conductor) – 20 December 2016
Potsdam (N.Y.) Community Band (Theresa Witmer, conductor) - 11 January 2015
The Eagles Band (Pittsfield, Mass.) (Carl Jenkins, conductor) - 8 November 2014
Montgomery High School (Skillman, N.J.) (Adam Warshafsky, conductor) - 8 January 2014

Works for Winds by This Composer

Resources

Carter, C. (1963). Symphonic Overture [score]. C. Fischer: New York.
Girsberger, Russ. Percussion Assignments for Band & Wind Ensemble. Volume I: A-K. Galesburg, MD: Meredith Music Publications, 2004, 58. Print.
Moss, Bruce. "Symphonic Overture." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 10, Compiled and edited by Richard Miles, 321-327. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2015.