To Build a Fire

Mark Camphouse

General Info

Year: 1992
Duration: c. 17:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: TRN Music Publisher, Inc
Cost: Score and Parts - $100.00 | Score Only - $12.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II (doubles Alto Flute)
Oboe I-II (doubles English Horn)
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone (doubles Soprano Saxophone)
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani (6)
Piano/Harp
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

Anvil
Bass Drum
Bell Tree
Bongos
Crotales
Cymbal (crash and suspended)
Glockenspiel
Gong (Tam-tam)
Marimba
Snare Drum
Tambourine
Tenor Drum
Tom-Toms
Triangle
Tubular Bells
Vibraphone
Wind Chimes
Xylophone

Errata

Oboe, m.30: The dotted half note should be an A-flat trilling to an A-natural.
Bassoon I, m.210: The error is that the tie between mm. 209-210 changes octaves with the clef change. Prof. Camphouse would like the bassoon to read m. 209 as is & stay on E3 for beat one of m. 210, then go up to the higher E (E4) on beat two of 210.
Contrabassoon, m.185: The note should be a D-natural. This affects the next several measures due to the ties.

Program Notes

To Build a Fire was sketched, composed and orchestrated during an eight month period: June 1990 - January 1991. Commissioned by The United States Army Band and dedicated to Conductor Emeritus Colonel Eugene W. Allen, To Build a Fire is a freely composed 17 minute quasi-tone poem -- a general impression of the Jack London short story. Since first reading the story as a high school student, Camphouse always wanted to create a musical setting of this stark, powerful and enduring American literary classic. To Build a Fire was premiered at the Kennedy Center on March 4, 1991, by The United States Army Band under the direction of Colonel Bryan Shelbourne. To Build a Fire was selected as the winning composition of the 1991 Fifteenth Annual National Band Association Composition Contest.

Program Note by Mark Camphouse

Commercial Discography

University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony (Andrew Boysen, Jr, conductor)

Media

MP3 at TRN Music Publishers, Inc

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Works for Winds by This Composer

Air Mobility Command March (2008)
Anthem (2009)
Canzon, Fugato, and Hymn (2004)
A Dakota Rhapsody (2007)
Declarations (1996/1997)
Elegy (1989)
Elegy, Prayer, and Hymn (2015)
Essay (1992)
Fantasia on "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" (2005)
First Essay for Symphonic Band. See: Essay
Foundation (2007)
Heartland Sketches (2009)
Homage to the Dream (2013)
Illuminations (2016/2018)
In Memoriam (2002)
La cathédrale résiliente (2019)
Legacy for Brass and Percussion (2008)
A Movement for Rosa (1992)
Pacific Commemoration (1999)
Prelude, Processional, and Postlude (2019)
Reminiscences (2011)
Resolutions (2017/2020)
Romanza, from A Jack Stamp Suite (2017)
Second Essay for Symphonic Band (2015)
The Shining City (2011)
Symphonic Fanfare (2006)
Symphonic Prelude (The Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer) (2006)
Symphony from Ivy Green
Three London Miniatures (1988)
To Build a Fire (1992)
Tribute (1985)
Twin Ports Overture (2012/2013)
Two American Canvases (2010)
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night (1996)
Whatsoever Things... (1997)
Yosemite Autumn (1997/2004)

Resources

Mark Camphouse website
McCutchen, Mathew G. (2009) An Examination of the History and Winning Pieces of the National Band Association's Composition Contest: 1977-2008. Florida State University, Doctoral Dissertation.
The Wind Band Music of Mark Camphouse: A Study of Twelve of His Musical Compositions, His Characteristic Sound, and the Inspiration Behind His Works