B736C9A1-BDBA-41E5-830F-3F22E39ABC24

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IDB736C9A1-BDBA-41E5-830F-3F22E39ABC24
TitlecodeS647CB
Title NameSymphonic Overture
Marketing CopyA Romantic-Style work of large proportions and challenging instrumental parts, Symphonic Overture was commissioned for the 50th Anniversary of the USAF Band in 1991 and has been performed since then at the band's anniversary concert.
InstrumentationConcert Band
Commission(not set)
Dedication(not set)
Program NotesSymphonic Overture was composed for the United States Air Force Band in Washington, DC, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of this world-class musical ensemble, was premiered in 1991 and has since been performed at the band's anniversary concert.

In 1988 Lieutenant Colonel James M. Bankhead (USAF, ret.) then Commander and Conductor of the USAF Band, asked me to consider writing a work for the band, to be premiered at the American Bandmasters Association convention at Arizona State University, Tempe, in March 1991. He wanted a Romantic style overture of large proportions and challenging difficulty to be performed as the opening work of the band's concert at that convention.

I spent considerable time on this project, but on the last day of January 1990, I finally realized that I really didn't like the music that I was writing. I threw the score and all the sketches in the trash and started over. The result was this symphonic overture, which I finished in about two weeks after writing some thematic material I was happy with. I hope the listener will enjoy it. One thing is certain: this version is better than the first.

Performance notes: Symphonic Overture was composed to take advantage of the resources available within the unique instrumental forces of the USAF Band. Consequently, the score calls for English Horn, Contra Bassoon, as section of 'cellos (which have been carried by the Air Force Band since its inception), Double Bass and Harp. In order to experience the full spectrum of the timbres conceived for this composition, onductors are encouraged to seek out the participation of performers on these instruments, but the piece contains numerous cues and a satisfactory performance may be had in their absence.
Title Brand4
Year Composed1990
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration10
Ensemble Size13
Date Created2012-06-29 20:25:48.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:25:48
Inhouse Note(not set)
Bsc Code(not set)
Text Author(not set)
Premier Performance Memo(not set)
Recording Credits(not set)
Review(not set)
Awards(not set)
Title Category0
Title Movements(not set)
Title Grade9
Set Series ID(not set)
Title Instrument Category TextConcert Band
Title Sub Category Text(not set)
Title Sub Category31
Title Instrument Header0
Title Grade Text(not set)
Clean Urlsymphonic-overture-s647cb