What We Do Is Secret

From Wind Repertory Project
Lansing McLoskey

Lansing McLoskey


General Info

Year: 2011
Duration: c. 22:00
Difficulty: VII (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Odhecaton Z Music (BMI)
Cost: Parts - $120.00   |   Score (Purchase) - $42.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Balinese ('nipple') gongs
  • Bass Drum
  • Bongos (3)
  • Cymbals (clash and 4 suspended)
  • Marimba
  • Snare Drum (3)
  • Tam-Tam (large)
  • Timpani (3)
  • Triangle (3)
  • Toms (6)
  • Tubular bells
  • Vibraphone
  • Woodblock


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

I came to the world of composition via a somewhat unorthodox route. The proverbial "Three B's" for me were not Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, but rather The Beatles, Bauhaus and Black Flag. My first experiences at writing music were not exercises in counterpoint, but as the guitarist and songwriter for punk rock bands in San Francisco in the early 1980's. It was actually through these years in the visceral world of punk that I first developed a love for classical music (but that's another story).

What We Do Is Secret draws its title from the seminal, influential 1978 album by the early punk band The Germs. Likewise, each movement is titled after the name of a song from an early Los Angeles punk band; respectively, “Strange Notes” by The Germs, “The Unheard Music” by X, “New York’s Alright (If You Like Saxophones…)” by Fear, and “Rise Above” by Black Flag. The concerto is an homage to these groundbreaking and influential bands and countless others like them, who despite being lost in oblivion to the mainstream and having never achieved any semblance of commercial success, nevertheless gave voice to the frustrations of a generation and ultimately changed the face of popular music. Rising from the ashes of the decadent, self-indulgent ‘70’s, this was “alternative rock” before the term was co-opted by corporate record labels, MTV, Hot Topics and Abercrombie & Fitch.

It’s important to note, however, that the piece is in no way an attempt at a “punk concerto” and does not quote any of the punk music in a cheap, postmodern pastiche, but rather uses these songs solely as touchstones and points of inspiration and departure.

What We Do Is Secret was commissioned for Triton Brass and the wind ensembles of Boston Conservatory, M.I.T., and the University of Miami Frost School of Music by the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University.

Special thanks to Triton Brass and Eric Hewitt for making this project possible, and for their unrelenting dedication to music as a living art form.

What We Do Is Secret was awarded The International Music Prize™ for Excellence in Composition 2011.


-Program Note by composer


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • The Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble (Eric Hewitt, Director) with Triton Brass - October 9, 2011. The Boston Conservatory Theater.


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources



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