Resounds Arise (2016)

Grade 4.5 • 7:15 • published by Sonic Soundscape Productions

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

PROGRAM NOTES

Trying to create a piece that, in some way, shape or form, connects to the commissioning party can lead to some very interesting and surprising results.  Resounds Arise, written for the Worthington Kilbourne High School Band, is one such work and the connection is displayed in the opening bar of the work.  The intervals 4 - 3 - 2 - 3 - 5, made out of the pitch collection C - G - B natural - A - F - B flat, turns out to be the zip code were Worthington Kilbourne High School resides, and many of its students come from.  This pitch collection continues on to form much of the core for this work.

Resounds Arise was created to celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary which merits much of the bright and joyous sounds heard within.  In again trying to connect the work to the commissioning party, and the “school” theme, Roger Cichy’s approach to creating much of the melodic material was to develop the chordal foundation first, then create melodic material around this structure.  Metaphorically, this represents the school serving as the foundation, creating an environment to enable each student to grow in knowledge and understanding.

The work was written in four connecting movements beginning with a vibrant and instilling fanfare.  A scherzo movement follows the fanfare and is followed by a sincere slow and lyrical movement.  The closing movement of the work is full of rhythmic vitality and momentum.  In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the school, Cichy embedded, at various points, another short motive made up of 3 ascending notes, creating the intervals 2 and 5.  This will easily be heard in the final bars of the work.

INSTRUMENTATION

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

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

Percussion: Timpani, Percussion 1 (snare drum, bass drum, 4 concert toms), Percussion 2 (crash cymbals, suspended cymbal, 4 concert toms, wood block, tambourine, finger cymbals, metal guiro, shaker), Percussion 3 (chimes, orchestra bells, vibraphone, xylophone)