Chamber Symphony No. 1 for Marimba & Winds

Daniel McCarthy

General Info

Year of Published: 1993
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 00:14:30
Cost: $86.50

Instrumentation

Solo

Marimba

Wind Ensemble

Woodwinds: Flute & Oboe & Clarinet & Bass Clarinet & Soprano Saxophone & Bassoon
Brass: Trumpet & French Horn & Trombone & Tuba
Percussion: Snare Drum & Tom-toms & Woodblock & Temple Block & Claves & Afuche & Bongos & Suspended Cymbal & Gong & Castanets

Program Notes

The title Chamber Symphony indicates that the wind ensemble is more intimately involved (musically speaking) with the soloist than an accompaniment as in a concerto. In this regard, the single winds and marimba are treated integrally although the marimba is the featured instrument. This piece was commissioned by Cort McClaren, president of C. Alan Publications and the School of Music at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. The piece was premiered at the Southeast chapter of the Music Educators National Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina in the fall of 1994 with the American Marimba soloist Michael Burritt, professor of percussion studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. The lush outdoors of northwestern Michigan's lower peninsula directly inspired the first and third movements, respectively "Deer Hunting in Michigan" and "The Stuff of Adventure." McCarthy developed a strong attachment to this region, being born in Onekoma, Michigan, growing up in Bay City, Michigan, and attending the Interlochen Art Academy during his High School years. While at the Interlochen Arts Academy he studied trumpet and piano for four years. Daniel McCarthydedicated this composition to his trumpet teacher at Interlochen, John Lindenau.