UFO Concerto

From Wind Repertory Project
Johan de Meij

Johan de Meij


Subtitle: For Euphonium and Wind Orchestra


General Info

Year: 2011
Duration: c. 24:00
Difficulty: VI (solo) V (ensemble) (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Amstel Music, through Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts - $315.00   |   Score Only - $60.00


Movements

1. Andante - 5:20
2. Giocoso - 5:25
3. Andante Cantabile - 3:25
4. Vivace - 6:30
5. Alla Marcia - Vivace - 3:15


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Congas
  • Crash Cymbal
  • Field Drum
  • Glass Wind Chimes
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-tam
  • Temple Block (5)
  • Tubular Bells
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Johan de Meij's first solo work for euphonium has taken the world by storm after the sensational premieres by Jason Ham and David Childs. There are three different versions available: with wind orchestra, brass band and piano accompaniment.

- Program Note from publisher


UFO Concerto, my first solo work for euphonium, is not a traditional concerto in the classical sense. It consists of five movements that are thematically related to one another.

The opening chord may sound familiar to some listeners: This chord and the first theme are based on the same five-note chord used in Extreme Make-over and Planet Earth in 2005: a major triad with an added 4th and a 7th. This chord has been obsessively present in my head ever since -- I could not resist using it again! Both the chord as well as the main theme make appearances in various shapes and forms throughout the entire piece.

Jason Ham, solo euphonium player with the West Point Band (USA), initiated the consortium for UFO Concerto. Jason performed the world premiere on February 15th, 2012, in Baltimore (MD) with the Peabody Wind Ensemble, conducted by Harlan Parker. He also invited British virtuoso David Childs to join the consortium and play the European performances. At the request of both players, I also made a version for euphonium and brass band. David premiered this version with The Cory Band, conducted by his father Robert Childs at the 2012 RNCM Festival of Brass in Manchester.

- Program Note by the composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Delaware (Newark) Wind Ensemble (Lauren Reynolds, conductor; Peter Steiner, trombone) - 13 October 2023
  • Indiana University (Bloomington) Wind Ensemble (Rodney Dorsey, conductor; Jason Donnelly, euphonium) – 20 September 2022
  • Oregon State University (Corvallis) Wind Ensemble (Erik Kar Jun Leung, conductor; Christopher Carrigg, euphonium) - 8 March 2022
  • United States Navy Band (Washington, D.C. (Johan de Meij, conductor; Tormod Flaten, euphonium) – 25 January 2020
  • United States Army Band (Ft. Myer, Va.) (Johan de Meij, conductor; Tormod Flaten, euphonium) – 3 February 2018
  • Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland, Wash.) Wind Ensemble (Edwin Powell, conductor; Jason Gilliam, euphonium) – 19 November 2017
  • Orchestra Fiati di Valle Camonica (Sarezzo, Italy) (Denis Salvini, conductor; Devid Ceste, euphonium) – 20 July 2017 - WASBE Conference (Utrecht, Netherlands)
  • Brooklyn (N.Y.) Wind Symphony (Johan de Meij, conductor; Jason Ham, euphonium) – 21 December 2013 (2013 Midwest Clinic)


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • De Meij, J. (2011). UFO Concerto: For Euphonium & Wind Orchestra [score]. Amstel Music: Amsterdam, Neth.
  • Johan de Meij website