Blue Radiance
Grade 3
Duration: 5 min

Premiered November 17, 2022 with the Liberty Festival of Bands

Listen:
Libertyville High School Wind Ensemble

View Perusal Score

Program Note:

The idea for this piece came during an encounter with “America Windows” by Marc Chagall at the Art Institute of Chicago. My initial reaction to these stained-glass windows was one of peace as I observed the vibrant blue light fill the area. As I looked more closely at each panel, I was most intrigued by the left panel because it was filled with energetic musical images such as fiddles, a trumpeter, and various musical notes. The entire panel seemed both rich with harmony as well as melody. “Blue Radiance” is the result of what I hear when I look at this work of art and reflect on the role of light.

Instrumentation

Piccolo (optional)
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet

Eb Alto Saxophone 1
Eb Alto Saxophone 2
Bb Tenor Saxophone Eb
Baritone Saxophone

Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Euphonium
Tuba

Timpani + 8 Percussion parts

1. Xylophone, Mark Tree (Wind Chimes)
2. Vibraphone
3. Marimba
4. Snare Drum, Bass Drum (two players needed) 5. Medium Suspended Cymbal, Bongos, 2 Toms
6. Tambourine
7. Cabasa, Woodblocks, Suspended Crash Cymbal, Splash Cymbal
8. Triangle

Note on Percussion:

This piece was originally written for a combined mass band. You can double parts in the percussion or take out parts to fit your instrumentation.

Duration: approximately 5 minutes

*If percussion parts need cut, please cut them in the following order: Perc. 8, Vibraphone, Perc. 7, Bass Drum.

Most important parts to include: Snare Drum, Xylophone (Perc. 1) , Timpani, Tambourine (Perc. 6)

Score Video: