SCORE STUDY EPISODE #34: WATCHMAN TELL US OF THE NIGHT (Camphouse)

[@TheSunsetPearl]

I remember playing this piece in high school. I was a percussionist, and I want to say I was on Timpani. When our band director told us what this piece was about, there was complete silence in the band room. Even the hyperactive freshman made zero noise. On the concert, this was song 2 of 3. The director introduced the piece, and I instantly knew the reaction from the crowd would not be normal. Sure enough, when the director lowered his arms at the end of the piece, the entire auditorium was silent. In my 20+ years of playing, including into college and my work with community theater productions, I have never seen that kind of reaction from an audience. Then, after everyone in the ensemble had a couple seconds to process the reaction we just got, the director put his arms up, and launched us right into the third piece, which I don’t even remember. My point is, this piece was by far the heaviest thing I’ve ever played, and the audience reaction reflected that. In terms of the video, I loved the analysis, and being a new viewer, cannot wait to dive into the rest of your work. However, this piece will forever be one of the most memorable, and I genuinely hope that its message comes across as clear as a cloudless day. Sorry for the ramble, but I needed to do it. To you reading this comment, I believe in you, and you got this.

[@captmorgs]

This is one of my favorite favorite pieces I played in high school ❤

[@TylerMireMusic]

Hey Anthony, thanks so much for doing this. I'm a current DMA student at Mason right now. I'm playing trumpet in the Wind Symphony and studying composition with Prof Camphouse. I shared with him this video and he was flattered and knocked out you did all this work! We have been performing this piece and this score analysis helped reveal a lot to me and appreciate it more as a composer AND a performer. Best!

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

I was happy to do this, Watchman is one of my favorite pieces of music and one I feel is very important in the band repertoire. Thank you for sharing it with him, I really treasure my 2 years I spent with Prof. Camphouse and his friendship and mentorship over the years.

[@pukalo]

In summer 2015 I played this piece with Dr. Allen as the guest conductor. Was quite an honour. I was able to play a low C contrabass clarinet on this piece as well that year.

[@MatthewBratton-d1b]

Camphouse has a very distinct sound to all of his pieces. It’s hard to put into words, but his style is very moving.

[@rachellol9216]

I played this piece in high school and unfortunately have some negative memories from the time we played it. It’s a shame because it really is a gorgeous piece

[@JustinRainesMusic]

Possibly my FAVORITE Camphouse piece of all time! I will be conducting this starting tomorrow and have been studying with this analysis.

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

MY personal favorite as well! glad this has been helpful

[@composingchef]

This is awesome! Thank you! I remember when I got to meet the composer. I played the bass clarinet part, under his direction, at a college wind band ensemble that same year he wrote it. I feel in love with the music instantly! I've even written things with this work in mind. I'm so glad you did this. It's helped me realize some things I've missed in my studies of it. Thanks again!

[@fadededed]

why have I never heard of this piece before? this piece is phenomenal!

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

Now you have! This is part of my mission, to expose people to music worth knowing

[@CECS1]

@@AnthonyOTooleMusic if you haven't looked at thr works of Patrick J Burns.... might be up your alley. Really beautiful and interesting compositions.

[@cjay4127]

Played this bandwork in college. THANK YOU, so much for posting this creation.

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

No problem! This is a very personal piece to me and it's an important work in the repertoire of wind bands.

[@garrisoncluff5367]

Sounds and looks so awesome! You never cease to amaze.

[@roheryn43]

Thank you for doing a Camphouse piece!!!!! Another great score reduction!!!!!!!

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

Thanks! This is one of my favorite pieces ever

[@iuptubaman]

Great work! I love the reduction and the analysis, plus having Keystone Winds for the recording isn’t bad either!

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

It’s probably the best one out there.

[@mrmilkyshakes5657]

8:22 whoa

[@andrewbell1595]

Funny cause this came out a month ago and we're playing it for our first concert this semester under camphouse (At George Mason).

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

Wow! I didn’t know that, hope you’re enjoying it!

[@why_not.]

Such a great piece. Can you do Armenian Dances (Alfred Reed) next?

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

Maybe if you consider donating to the Patreon I’ll try to feature it sometime soon.

[@nicolasgil8766]

What is the piece being played in the beginning?

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

Oh that’s the Watchman hymn, I just arranged it for Double reed choir

[@nicolasgil8766]

@@AnthonyOTooleMusic Thanks!