Program Notes

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McBeth: Fanfare and Hymn This piece was composed for the California High School (Whittier) combined Band and Orchestra to perform as the 2014 Graduation Recessional. My colleague, Doug Nordquist, director of Bands at California High School, was informed that the Administration wanted a formal Recessional for the Graduation Ceremonies. Doug and I discussed several possible pieces in the established Band repertoire. With three weeks to go before Graduation, I took out my sketchbook where I write down musical themes and motifs, and started to compose a recessional sketch. I sent the short sketch to Doug, and he immediately responded with his approval and asked if I could finish it in time. I completed the piece in two weekends, leaving one week for the Band and Orchestra to rehearse it for the upcoming Graduation. My cherished memory of the evening took place on the way back to the band room after the Graduation Ceremony. Walking near some of the students in the percussion section, I could overhear a few of them humming the “Hymn” tune. Having members of the percussion section humming music I had composed a very cool honor. 

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The piece begins with a short fanfare that moves into a lyrical hymn tune. The second tune propels the work forward, followed by a brief percussion break. The percussion break gives the members in that section, (the ones who usually end up standing around during Pomp and Circumstance) a chance to play something as they might find in a “Drum-line”. The work returns to the beginning fanfare with a restatement of both tunes ending with a massive chordal statement that builds from the lower to the upper instruments in a timbre pyramid. 

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The title, McBeth, is a tribute to my composition teacher, Dr. W. Francis McBeth. As Dr. McBeth’s student, I received the personal attention of Dr. McBeth. He showed genuine interest in my compositions for his class and in me. One memory occurred in the hallway on my way to class. Dr. McBeth told me, “Stephen, I was thinking about your piece last night, and I have an idea for it.” I was encouraged that he was thinking about my piece outside of class. He was a very kind teacher and friend. Being from California and going to school in Arkansas, I did not go home on weekends, so Dr. McBeth would often invite me to his house to visit with him. We talked about music, faith in God, purpose in life, and a love for fishing. We stayed in touch for over thirty years until his passing in 2012. 

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Instrumentation

Piccolo

Flute 1-2

Oboe

Bb Clarinet 1-2

Bb Bass Clarinet

Bassoon

Horn in F 1-4

Bb Trumpet 1-3

Trombone 1-3

Euphonium

Tuba

Timpani

Percussion - (S.D., B.D., Tenor Drum, 3 Toms, Cymbals, Gong)

Mallets - (Chimes, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Glockenspiel)

Piano

Harp

Violin 1

Violin 2

Viola

Cello

String Bass