COMPOSITION TITLES (I - R)
I Bow My Head in Disbelief (2015, unpublished)
I am in my 38th year of teaching music and have found that the most difficult occurrence in my job has been the loss of a student to death. The loss of a former student pains ones heart and those of his friends, but the loss of a current student can devastate a program and the school.
Within the last two years, I have developed a close working relationship with Dr. Thomas Verrier and the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony through a series of recording sessions.
This past October, 2015, a week prior to the Wind Symphony’s first concert, their first chair clarinetist, Sang Han, died as a result of his own hand. Immediately upon hearing the news and reflecting on my own student losses over the past years, I wrote this eight-line poem:
I bow my head in disbelief
The sorrow and the pain;
I search my heart; was there a sign?
And grief pours down like rain.
The world can be so vast and cruel
we have to stall this pace,
and gather round the ones we love
and share a warm embrace.
I then set out writing this short piece as my way of dealing with “band tragedy” and as a way to help my musical family in Nashville.
The opening and ending clarinet solo (marked with an asterisk in the score) signifies the fallen student’s instrument; Sang Han was a clarinetist. The instrument of the individual fallen student can be substituted in both sections. In an attempt to make this work as accessible as possible, double reed solos have been cued in other parts. The vocal section of the piece can be sung in any octave but it is notated in treble clef. I apologize for this graphic reference, but the line: “I search my heart, was there a sign?” deals with a situation where the student takes their own life. I have written substitute words, should the situation be different: “I search my heart, this fragile life;”.
I give this work as a gift to the band world to possibly help with those heartbreaking losses that we hope never, ever happen.
------ Jack Stamp, Hudson, WI – October, 2015
Within the last two years, I have developed a close working relationship with Dr. Thomas Verrier and the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony through a series of recording sessions.
This past October, 2015, a week prior to the Wind Symphony’s first concert, their first chair clarinetist, Sang Han, died as a result of his own hand. Immediately upon hearing the news and reflecting on my own student losses over the past years, I wrote this eight-line poem:
I bow my head in disbelief
The sorrow and the pain;
I search my heart; was there a sign?
And grief pours down like rain.
The world can be so vast and cruel
we have to stall this pace,
and gather round the ones we love
and share a warm embrace.
I then set out writing this short piece as my way of dealing with “band tragedy” and as a way to help my musical family in Nashville.
The opening and ending clarinet solo (marked with an asterisk in the score) signifies the fallen student’s instrument; Sang Han was a clarinetist. The instrument of the individual fallen student can be substituted in both sections. In an attempt to make this work as accessible as possible, double reed solos have been cued in other parts. The vocal section of the piece can be sung in any octave but it is notated in treble clef. I apologize for this graphic reference, but the line: “I search my heart, was there a sign?” deals with a situation where the student takes their own life. I have written substitute words, should the situation be different: “I search my heart, this fragile life;”.
I give this work as a gift to the band world to possibly help with those heartbreaking losses that we hope never, ever happen.
------ Jack Stamp, Hudson, WI – October, 2015
In The Silence of the Canyon (2019, manuscript)
Commissioned by the Hopkins Junior High School (Fremont, CA), Gregory Conway, conductor.
“In the silence of the canyon” is a composition that reflects my impressions of the Grand Canyon. I found it amazing that in such a busy tourist spot, one could find solace in areas of this incredible “wonder of the world” where only a light breeze and lone bird circling is on your horizon. The reoccurring full band motive initially reflects the first moment one looks into the canyon. It returns several times in the piece, unpredictably much as hiking the canyon, coming around a turn and seeing its grandeur once again! - Jack Stamp
Commissioned by the Hopkins Junior High School (Fremont, CA), Gregory Conway, conductor.
“In the silence of the canyon” is a composition that reflects my impressions of the Grand Canyon. I found it amazing that in such a busy tourist spot, one could find solace in areas of this incredible “wonder of the world” where only a light breeze and lone bird circling is on your horizon. The reoccurring full band motive initially reflects the first moment one looks into the canyon. It returns several times in the piece, unpredictably much as hiking the canyon, coming around a turn and seeing its grandeur once again! - Jack Stamp
In This Hid Clearing (2002, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the University of Missouri School of Music in celebration of
Tom O’Neal’s inaugural season as Director of Bands
Commissioned by the University of Missouri School of Music in celebration of
Tom O’Neal’s inaugural season as Director of Bands
Infamy (published by Knightwind Music)
In Final Obedience for Narrator and Band
(1994, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the Florida Southern Symphonic Band, Dr. Don McLaurin, conductor
(1994, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the Florida Southern Symphonic Band, Dr. Don McLaurin, conductor
“Ike” (2002)
Commissioned by the West Point Band on their 200th anniversary
Commissioned by the West Point Band on their 200th anniversary
Jigsaw for Tenor Saxophone and Band (1992, available from the composer)
Junket (2013, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the East Stroudsburg HS and premiered in May of 2013 with the composer conducting
Commissioned by the East Stroudsburg HS and premiered in May of 2013 with the composer conducting
Lonestar Fanfare (2005, published by Southern Music Company)
Commissioned by the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Eugene Corporon, conductor for a performance at the TMEA Music Conference, February, 2005
Commissioned by the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Eugene Corporon, conductor for a performance at the TMEA Music Conference, February, 2005
Mill City Flourish (2019/2020, manuscript) – originally composed for the Minnesota Orchestra Brass Quintet. Brass band version dedication to the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and
the Lake Wobegon Brass Band.
the Lake Wobegon Brass Band.
Miniature Overture (2006, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the Kearsarge Regional High School Band (NH), Ernest Mills, director.
Commissioned by the Kearsarge Regional High School Band (NH), Ernest Mills, director.
Motive-ations (2007) Commissioned by the Hudson (WI) Middle School 7th Grade Band as an interactive project where the students provided the motives for the piece. Premiered May, 2007, Connie Root, conductor.
Navigating Cresson (2014)
Commissioned by the Hollidaysburg (PA) High School Band; premiered February, 2015
Commissioned by the Hollidaysburg (PA) High School Band; premiered February, 2015
Panhandle Prelude (2012, Published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the Okaloosa County Honor Band; premiered in December, 2012
Commissioned by the Okaloosa County Honor Band; premiered in December, 2012
Pastime (1999, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the Santa Clara County Band Directors Association
Commissioned by the Santa Clara County Band Directors Association
Past the Equinox (1988, published 1989 by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Co-commissioned by the Carroll College Wind Ensemble and the Concordia College Wind Symphony
Co-commissioned by the Carroll College Wind Ensemble and the Concordia College Wind Symphony
Peyton's Place (2019, published by KnightWind Music)
Commissioned by the Randolph All-County Band
Commissioned by the Randolph All-County Band
Prayers for a Troubled Nation (2017, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the University of Minnesota School of Music celebrating the inaugural season of Dr. Emily Threinen as Director of Bands. Premiered in April 2017
Commissioned by the University of Minnesota School of Music celebrating the inaugural season of Dr. Emily Threinen as Director of Bands. Premiered in April 2017
Prayer & Jubilation (1993, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by Wright‑Patterson Air Force Band
Commissioned by Wright‑Patterson Air Force Band
Prelude & Dance for mixed level band (published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Premiered in March of 2014 by the Dakota Christian School (South Dakota), Karissa DeJager conductor.
Premiered in March of 2014 by the Dakota Christian School (South Dakota), Karissa DeJager conductor.
Psalm 150 for organ and concert band (2013, published by Knightwind Music)
Premiered by the Messiah Wind Symphony, Brad Genevro, conductor; October 2013
Premiered by the Messiah Wind Symphony, Brad Genevro, conductor; October 2013
Puzzle Pieces (2017, manuscript)
Written for and dedicated to Don & William Green. Don Green and I have been friends for over a quarter of a century. He has dedicated his professional life to music education in Western Pennsylvania and is a superb teacher.
For several years, Don has been asking me to write a band piece that would promote autism awareness; Don’s son William is challenged with that condition. As I have recently retired, it has been my desire to “give back” to a profession that has given me so much. So, I have written such a work entitled “Puzzle Pieces”. The Puzzle Piece is the logo of the Autism Society because the affliction does not affect any two people the same way.
Written for and dedicated to Don & William Green. Don Green and I have been friends for over a quarter of a century. He has dedicated his professional life to music education in Western Pennsylvania and is a superb teacher.
For several years, Don has been asking me to write a band piece that would promote autism awareness; Don’s son William is challenged with that condition. As I have recently retired, it has been my desire to “give back” to a profession that has given me so much. So, I have written such a work entitled “Puzzle Pieces”. The Puzzle Piece is the logo of the Autism Society because the affliction does not affect any two people the same way.
Recitatives and Episodes (2017, manuscript)
Written as a gift to the Soltis String Quartet of Vanderbilt University for their graduation recital. Premiered March,
Written as a gift to the Soltis String Quartet of Vanderbilt University for their graduation recital. Premiered March,
Reflections on "Weston" Written for the Eynsford Concert Band in Kent, England
and was premiered there in December of 2019 with the composer conducting.
The work is based upon a Ralph Vaughan Williams hymn tune "Weston".
and was premiered there in December of 2019 with the composer conducting.
The work is based upon a Ralph Vaughan Williams hymn tune "Weston".
Remembrance of Things to Come (1990, published 1991 by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the Enloe High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble, David Rockefeller, conductor
Commissioned by the Enloe High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble, David Rockefeller, conductor
Ricecare (formerly Partita) (1999, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the North Carolina Central District Band Directors Association
Commissioned by the North Carolina Central District Band Directors Association
Rondeau (2019, manuscript)
Commissioned by the 2019 West Virginia All-State Band, the piece is comprised of an original "Renaissance-sounding melody" with three authentic Renaissance dances from 1551
Commissioned by the 2019 West Virginia All-State Band, the piece is comprised of an original "Renaissance-sounding melody" with three authentic Renaissance dances from 1551
Rolette's Deception (2014, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Written on the occasion of the retirement of Douglas Nimmo, Director of Bands at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Premiere May, 2014
Written on the occasion of the retirement of Douglas Nimmo, Director of Bands at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Premiere May, 2014