WIND BAND COMPOSITIONS (G - L)
Gavorkna Fanfare (1991, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Written for Eugene Corporon and the Cincinnati College/Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony
Written for Eugene Corporon and the Cincinnati College/Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony
Handsel Overture (2019, manuscript) – written for the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Postponed premiere date was May 9, 2020 at Selby Abby (UK).
Harnett County Celebration (1984, 1995 published by Counterpoint Publ.)
Held Still in Quick of Grace (1998, published by Neil Kjos Music Co.)
Commissioned by the Eastern Division of the N.C. Bandmasters Association
Commissioned by the Eastern Division of the N.C. Bandmasters Association
Hymn to Dunblane: In Memoriam John Wacker (2015)
I Bow My Head in Disbelief (2015, unpublished)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