Morning Star

Wind Ensemble
1997
8 min.

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University of Utah

University of Utah Wind Ensemble, Scott A. Hagan, cond.
On the album The Music of David Maslanka Vol. 2 (2015)

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Preview Score

Instrumentation

Picc Fl-2 Ob-2 E♭Cl B♭Cl-3 BCl CbCl Bsn-2(2>>Cbsn) ASx-2 TSx BSx | Hn-4 Tpt-3 Trb-3 Euph Tuba | Pno Timp Perc-4

Details

Piccolo
Flute (2)
Oboe (2)
Clarinet in E♭
Clarinet in B♭ (3)
Bass Clarinet in B♭
Contrabass Clarinet in B♭
Alto Saxophone (2)
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bassoon (2) (2 doubles Contrabassoon)
Horn in F (4)
Trumpet in B♭ (3)
Trombone (3)
Euphonium
Tuba
Piano
Timpani
Required Percussion (4 players)
- Marimba
- Vibraphone
- Crotales
- Snare Drum
- Tom-tom (2 med.)
- Tenor Drum
- Bass Drum
- Suspended Cymbal (sm., lg.)
- Chimes
- Bongos
- Tam-tam
- Xylophone
- Tambourine
- Crash Cymbals
- Sleigh Bells
- Gong (med.)

About part assignments

For wind ensembles and concertos, please use one player per part. For symphonies and concert pieces, more players may be used as desired. David’s full statement.

Commissioned by

Grand Ledge High School Wind Symphony, Michael Kaufman, conductor

Premiere

May of 1997 by the Grand Ledge (Michigan) High School Wind Symphony, Michael Kaufman, conductor

Program Note

Morning Star was commissioned by the Grand Ledge (Michigan) High School Wind Symphony, Michael Kaufman, conductor, and premiered by them in May of 1997. Mike asked me to write a piece for the inauguration of the new concert hall being built at Grand Ledge High. Well, the hall wasn’t finished, and the piece was premiered in the old gym – the gymnauseum as it was called – and we had a good time anyway.

Morning Star was a surprise to me. In planning for the piece I came up with a great many ideas – enough for three or four pieces. When it came time to compose the piece I suddenly discorded all of that material and went with a little tune that came to mind. The result is a happy piece, a concept which does not usually attach itself to my music.

Morning Star is about beginnings: the dawning of a new day, the opening of a new hall, the beginning of adult life for the young people who premiered the piece, and for those who are playing it now.

Program Note by David Maslanka