Smoulder (for Orchestra)
PROGRAM NOTES:
Smoulder for Orchestra (2021). This transcription from wind ensemble to orchestra was commissioned by the Metropolitan Youth Symphony who will give the premiere performance on March 6, 2022 in Portland’s Newmark Theatre.
Due to the changing climate, devastating forest fires are increasingly common. Though the surface fire is doused, they can smoulder underground for up to a year and, given the right conditions, they can reignite. Climate change is one of the top issues among America’s youth and there is a growing discontent with inaction on this front. With this in mind, the piece unfolds through a brooding arch form. I wrote this piece to honor the young performers who will deal with these complex issues for the rest of their lives.
Smoulder for Wind Ensemble (2019) was awarded the 2021 Alex Shapiro Prize in the 40th Annual Search for New Music by the International Alliance of Women in Music and recognized as a finalist for the 2020 National Band Association William D. Revelli Composition Contest.
— Notes by Andrea Reinkemeyer
These notes may be used freely with proper attribution.
Updated 2019-1006 by Andrea Reinkemeyer
INSTRUMENTATION:
3(p)232 / 4331 / timp 4perc / pf / str
❙ 1 Piccolo
❠❠ 2 Flutes
❠❠ 2 Oboes
❠❠❠ 3 Clarinets in B-flat
❙ ❙ 2 Bassoons
❠❠❠❠ 4 Horns in F
❠ ❙ ❠ 3 Trumpets in B-flat
❠❠ 2 Tenor Trombones
❠ 1 Bass Trombone
❙ 1 Tuba
1 Timpani
0 ❠0❠ 4 Percussion*
0 1 Piano
❠❠ ❙ ❠❠ Strings
* Percussion:
Timpani
1. Glockenspiel
2. Xylophone, Large Tam-tam, Sizzle Cymbal, ❠, butcher paper (shared w/ P.4)
3. Vibraphone, Large Concert Bass Drum
4. 5 Temple Blocks, 4 Toms, ❠, butcher paper (shared with P.2)
Note: Most parts need 1 (❠) or 2 (❙) sheets of red paper; recommendation:
Most performers (or similar)
Butcher Paper Recommendation (or similar)
