Fission

Grade 4/5 Wind Ensemble/Concert Band
Piccolo, 2 Flutes
Oboe, English Horn
Bassoons, Contrabassoon
3 Bb Clarinets, Bass Clarinet
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
3 Bb Trumpets
4 Horns in F
2 Trombones, Bass Trombone
2 Euphoniums
2 Tubas
Timpani
Percussion 1: Triangle, Supended Cymbal, Tam-Tam, Cuica
Percussion 2: Hi-Hat, Cowbell, Maracas, Sandpaper Blocks, Claves
Vibraphone
Marimba
Piano
Duration: 8:00

Program Notes:

Fission for Grade 4 or 5 Concert Band explores the fused timbre of a low tuba Bb and its overtones. The complex acoustic structure of this note is first heard sweeping up the overtones through the entire ensemble.  Over the following seven minutes, this fused sound is gradually pulled apart, revealing its components.  Each family of instruments is highlighted during the fission process, and every member of the band has a solo, before the Bb fuses again at the end.  Fission was written in 2013 for the Frost Symphonic Winds and conductor Thomas Keck, and extensively revised in 2018 for conductor J. Steven Moore.

Premiere: November 20, 2013
Frost Symphonic Winds
Thomas Keck, conducting
Frost School of Music
University of MIami
Gusman Concert Hall
Miami, FL
Fission was written in 2013 for the Frost Symphonic Winds and conductor Thomas Keck, and extensively revised for conductor Stephen Moore.