Forward

…Forward

James M. Stephenson

Commissioned by the Wheaton Municipal Band; Bruce Moss, director
Premiered on 6/10/2021

duration: 3′

“…Forward” is written to commemorate the new band shell for the park district of Wheaton, IL, to be premiered by the Wheaton Municipal Concert Band, under the direction of Bruce Moss.

Like so much of the rest of the arts and of the world, so many things were put to a halt during the years of 2020 and 2021. (At the time of this writing, it is still uncertain when “normal” will return.)
“…Forward” was written with the spirit of hope and energy that we might finally be headed in the right direction. It is celebratory in nature, both for the new band shell, and also for the experience of people sitting on stages and in audiences together again.

My sincerest thanks to Bruce, and to the band and city of Wheaton for entrusting this music-making project to me! ~ Jim Stephenson; April 17, 2021

instrumentation: piccolo, flute 1-2, oboe 1-2, bassoon 1-2, Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet 1-3, bass clarinet alto saxophone 1-2, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone
Bb trumpet 1-3, horn 1-4, trombone 1-2, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba
double bass, timpani, percussion 1-5

percussion needed:
Mallets 1: Xylo + Glock, Sus. Cymb.
Mallets 2: Crotales, Vibes, HH, Trgl., Cymb. a2 Glock., Sus. Cymb. Perc. 1: S.D. + Sus Cymb.
Perc. 2: Cymb. a2, Sus. Cymb. Wood Block
Perc. 3: B.D., Trgl., Sus. Cymb.