Скачать или смотреть “Exuberance” by Brant Karrick - 2024 West Virginia University Honor Band Festival (Gold Band)

The 2024 West Virginia University Honor Band Festival included three ensembles with 200+ students from across 7 states. The ensembles included an equally divided Blue and Gold band, and an advanced Mountaineer band for select auditionees.

About the Composition:

Exuberance was commissioned by the Community of Celina, Ohio in memory of Boyd A. Loughrige. Mr. Loughrige was a legendary and inspirational teacher, devoted father and husband, exemplary community member, veteran of the U.S. Air Force and simply a very fine and beloved man. I was asked to compose a piece that was simultaneously dignified and fitting to Mr. Loughrige, reflective of his joyous and lighthearted nature, and also offered a contemplative reflection of his faith.
Exuberance is structured in fast-slow-fast architecture and begins with an enthusiastic and joyful introduction that includes short quotes of the traditional Methodist hymn, 0 For a Thousand Tongues to Sing. This stately tune was written by the prominent hymnist Charles Wesley and provides an important source of thematic material for which most of Exuberance is based. The first theme group is lighthearted and happy in spirit with contemporary harmonies and syncopation, and reflective of the jazz idiom. The middle section of the work is more contemplative and reverent, with a new melody spawned from the hymn. Bassoon, oboe, flute, trumpet and especially the horn all contribute prominent solos. This section builds in intensity and culminates in a passionate statement by the entire ensemble before receding once more into a reflective interlude leading to an exciting recapitulation of the first theme group. This builds to a climactic setting of the hymn, first in F major, then a modulation to G major. Imagine a great organ opened up with all the pipes blaring and weaving line upon line. The deceptive cadence provides a fitting transition into a bold and exuberant coda!