Vignettes From Life - Concert Band - Huckeby - Tierolff

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“Vignettes From Life” was commissioned by the Oklahoma Music Educators Association for the 2023 OkMEA All-State Symphonic Band, Dr. Rodney Dorsey, Guest Conductor, in recognition of State Director Jerry Huffer’s retirement. Dr. Ed Huckeby has created a programmatic work which depicts a series of life scenes conveyed through creative musical imagery. Listeners and performers are encouraged to allow their imaginations to lead them on a journey through the past (or future) as the music unfolds in this sequence of inventive musical vignettes, each depicting various stages in life.
Rehearsal suggestions:
The opening section of “Vignettes From Life” requires flexibility of tempo in a quasi-rubato style with a slight accelerando to the Andante at m. 10, which should be presented in a fanfare-like manner. The rit. and decrescendo in m. 16-17 should lead directly into the Allegro Vivace with no break in sound. The concepts of “constant eighth note” and consistent tempo are very important from m. 18 to the rit. in m. 82 to maintain good rhythmic flow through the changing meters. From m. 87 to the rit. at m. 107, a “comedic” approach should be taken with emphasis on a flexible, rubato interpretive style. A “cakewalk” begins at the Allegro in m. 110, so a very light and dance-like style takes over, with the exception of the rit. at m. 144-145 and 178-179, which should be contrastingly harsh and heavy. The transition at m. 185-191 dramatically changes the style from light to ultra-legato. The conductor should feel free to exercise significant interpretive liberty with tempi in the Largo rubato section from m. 191 to 219. A rather militaristic march style unfolds at m. 219, leading up to a recapitulation of the original fanfare theme in m. 246, concluding with a dramatic timpani roll into the Allegro Vivace conclusion at m. 252-255. Rhythmic accuracy, flexible interpretation and dramatic dynamic contrast throughout are keys to a successful performance of “Vignettes From Life”
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