wind ensemble
Duration: c. 10:00
Piccolo
5 Flutes
2 Oboes
English Horn
6 Clarinets in Bb
Bass Clarinet
2 Alto Saxophones
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
2 Bassoons
Contrabassoon
4 Horns in F
4 Trumpets in Bb
2 Bb Flugelhorns
2 TenorTrombones
Bass Trombone
1 Euphoniums
2 Tubas
Timpani
5 Percussion (Vibraphone, Tuned Metal (pipes or plate, sub with Glockenspiel) Glockenspiel,
Almglocken [sub with tuned metal or vibraphone], Tubular Bells
Harp
Piano
Synthesizer (organ sound) or Organ
Double Bass
Cloud of Witnesses is a nine-minute long piece for wind ensemble. The notion of our ancestors’ guidance helping us “run with perseverance” through our challenges in life inspired the work. Sparr uses impressionistic orchestration techniques which draw on the wide variety of sounds available in a wind ensemble. A defining feature of Cloud of Witnesses is a sustained melodic motive performed by a synthesizer, string bass, harp and piano. The percussion use bell-like instruments to create a cloud of rhythmic activity. Wind instruments in high ranges float and embellish the melodic phrasings over a firm foundation of chords in low instruments.
The work is a result of a Texas Tech led consortium with twenty other University band programs across the United States including Eastman, Michigan, UCLA, Arizona State, Florida State, Baylor and others.
Commissioning Consortium Members
Organized by Texas Tech University, Sarah McKoin – Director of Bands
Baylor University – J. Eric Wilson, Director of Bands
California State University, Stanislaus – Dr. Stuart Sims, Director of Instrumental Studies
Clemson University – Dr. Mark J. Spede, Director of Bands
The College of New Jersey – David Vickerman, Director of Bands
Crane Wind Ensemble, SUNY Potsdam – Brian K. Doyle, conductor
The Eastman Wind Ensemble – Mark Davis Scatterday, conductor
Florida State University – Richard Clary, Director of Advanced Wind Ensembles
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Arizona State University School of Music Wind Orchestra – Gary W Hill, conductor
Iowa State University – Michael Golemo, Director of Bands
Kent State University Wind Ensemble – Dr. Jesse Leyva, Director of Bands
Oregon State University – Chris Chapman, Director of Bands
Southeastern Oklahoma State University – Dr. Jacob Wallace, Director of Bands
Texas State University Wind Symphony, Caroline Beatty, conductor
University of California, Los Angeles Wind Ensemble – Travis J. Cross, conductor
University of Michigan Symphony Band – Michael Haithcock, conductor
University of Montana Symphonic Winds – James Smart, conductor
The University of Oregon Wind Ensemble – Rodney Dorsey, conductor
University of Wisconsin–Madison Bands – Scott Teeple, conductor
Youngstown State University Wind Ensemble – Stephen L. Gage, Conductor