Hats Off! (2012)

Grade 4.5 • 6:30 • published by Sonic Soundscape Productions

Performance: Rhode Island College Wind Ensemble | Conductor: Dr. Robert Franzblau

PROGRAM NOTES

When Professor Paul Droste invited a group of his college students to try their hand at arranging for his university ensembles, little did he know that some 36 years later, he would be presented with an original composition written by one of those former students in his honor. 

Written as a rousing concert overture, the motives that appear are made up of snippets from several of the school songs associated with The Ohio State University where Dr. Droste served on the music faculty and directed the famed Ohio State University Marching Band.  Paramount to many of those school songs is the beginning motion of a descending half step, which returns back to the original note.  Much of the foreground and background materials will rely heavily on this interval scheme and will also spur the chromatic nature of the work.  Bringing in jazz elements both melodically and harmonically is purposefully used to provide the spirited quality and energy for the piece.  The first theme is presented a number of times in various characters and textures.  The middle, more lyrical section of the overture, is essentially a blues ballad and features a flute solo with another flute chasing the solo before the theme is stated with full ensemble.  The final section again presents the initial theme in various characters and textures one of which is a canon including jazz snare drum with brushes.

The term, or rather the gesture “hats off” is quite symbolic, especially in the days when everyone wore hats.  The gesture of taking your hat off to someone was in fact a way of showing respect and admiration to that person.  So how fitting to title this piece “Hats Off” to the individual who this piece is fondly dedicated.

INSTRUMENTATION

Winds: Piccolo, Flute 1 & 2, Oboe 1 & 2, English Horn, Bassoon 1 & 2, Bb Clarinet 1 - 3, Eb Alto Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet, Bb Contrabass Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophones 1 & 2, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Eb Baritone Saxophone

Brass: Bb Trumpet 1 - 3, F Horn 1 - 4, Trombone 1 - 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Percussion: Timpani, Percussion 1 (snare drum, bass drum, wood block, triangle, suspended cymbal, splash cymbal), Percussion 2 (crash cymbals, slap stick, wood block, vibraslap), Percussion 3 (xylophone, orchestra bells)

Strings: String Bass