Composition Commons^™

Brass Quintet: Our World As It Is, Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Op. 20: 1 score (vi + 20 pages) ; includes table of contents and introduction

This eleven-minute brass quintet for two trumpets, horn, trombone, and tuba, "Our World As It Is", refers to current and recent tragedies taking place around the world. The first moment, "Confrontation", captures the anxiety caused by Nature's wrath and men's wars. The second movement, "Reflections: Prelude and Fugato", evokes this precious time for recollection. The third movement, "Civil Discourse", is the coming together in smooth harmony of the different factions that make our world. The mood of "Fanfare and Hymn", the final movement, is one …

Fantaisie Française: Fourth Piano Sonata, Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Op. 17: 1 score (iv + 20 pages) ; includes table of contents and introduction

This set of five pieces was composed by and large during the summer of 2003 in a historic village of Gascony in the Midi-Pyrénées region of France and is based on impressions gathered during walks and rides taken in the magnificent hilly countryside. Each movement is also an essay on counterpoint as I see it broadly defined by Walter Piston in the introduction to his treaty entitled Counterpoint. The Fantasie's five contrasting parts allude to the well-established genres, and overall unity and contrast results from …

Pseudo-Classical Sonatina For Piano, Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Op. 18a: 1 score (ii + 8 pages)

Movements:

1. Giocoso
2. Religioso
3. A la sicialana

Piano Rag, Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Op. 22: 1 score (iv + 11 pages) ; includes the Story Behind the Rag … in English and French.

Omen, Tao-Hsing Wang

Masters Theses

The arrangement of this composition is based on chamber orchestra. The piece which is very classical structure was written not only by the harmonic theory of chromaticism and mode mixture but also by a sort of contrapuntal skill for its essential musical languages by me. In addition, the music form of the whole piece can be described as three movements with one introduction, though it should be played without any interruption or break between each movement.

As the title "Omen," we can find that there is a crucial harmonic motive, augmented triad, hidden in the introduction of this piece, and …

The Drawing Of The Three, John Griffin

Masters Theses

The Drawing of the Three is a work in seven movements scored for full orchestra. The title, along with the movement names, are derived from the novel The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King. This composition can be viewed as a "sequel" to my earlier piece The Gunslinger, inspired by the first book in King's "Dark Tower" series. Unlike the previous work, the music is not intended to be a literal programmatic representation of the book's plot. Rather, its purpose is to musically depict the personalities and inner conflicts of the characters in the …

Concerto For Marimba And Orchestra, Scott Blasco

Masters Theses

The Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra is a three-movement work in the traditional concerto form. The first movement is roughly Sonata-form, the second movement is in essence a set of variations on two mutually derivative melodies over an almost constant rhythmic motive of five eighth-notes, and the third movement is a short through-composed finale based on a quirky, angular melody. The tonal scheme of the concerto is fairly traditional, in that the outer two movements focus on an 'A' tonal center, while the slower middle movement is based on an 'E' tonality. Quintal, extended and added-tone tertian, and mixed cluster-based …

As The Ruin Falls, Luke Dahn

Masters Theses

As the Ruin Falls is a two-movement work scored for full orchestra, augmented with bass clarinet, piano, and three percussionists. Though the title comes from a poem written by C.S. Lewis, it is in no way is a programmatic representation of the poem's content. Furthermore, the programmatic "scenes" in the second movement do not relate to the poem. The title was selected only to signify the work's rather ominous character.

The primary musical building block for the entire work is a four-note chord whose construction is symmetrical - two minor thirds separated by a perfect fourth: C-Eb-Ab-Cb (or B). The …

Two Chinese Festivals, Peng (Pamela) Chen

Masters Theses

Two Chinese Festivals is a music piece written for a chamber-sized orchestra. The first movement Kite Festival is a traditional Chinese celebration in which people give thanks that the spring is coming. The second movement Lantern Festival is an event run on the fifteenth day of Chinese New Year. People make many varieties of Lanterns that represent different ancient Chinese tales. Then the lanterns are displayed on all the city streets.

Move!, David Morneau

Masters Theses

In composing MOVE! I wanted to combine the rhythmic excitement and improvisational elements of jazz music with the refined developmental techniques found in classical music. Rather than simply borrow jazz harmonies and sounds for use in a classical composition, or compose music in a classical style for a jazz ensemble, I tried to create music where both traditions are represented equally.

Each of the movements in the suite approach the combination of these ideas differently. The suite begins out by Shout, a fanfare in a jazz style. Shout takes its name from the shout chorus of many swing tunes. …

For Orchestra, Joo Won Kim

Masters Theses

For Orchestra is a work consisting of two movements. In the first movement, the rhythmic pattern is based on the Korean traditional rhythm called "Changdan". There are a lot of "Changdan"s employed in Korean music. One of the Changdan-rhythms that are frequently used in traditional percussion ensemble is transferred to Western instruments through various contemporary techniques. The rhythmic elements are developed and combined with melody and harmonic texture. Harmonic textures include interval construction of perfect 4th, 5th, major and minor 7th, 3rd, and 2nd. There are both tertial and quartal combinations. The relationship between melody and chords is made up …

Organ Sonata For Church Organ, Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Op. 16: 1 score (iv + 24 pages) ; includes foreward in English and French

Opus 16 reflects, thus, an uncertain spiritual voyage: it starts with a statement on natural beauty and friendship and ends with a tarnished but hopeful message about the humanity that binds us. The Organ Suite premiered on the great organ of the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan and performed by Dr. Schrock. In August 2004, he was invited to play the Suite at the Cathedral of Saints Gervais and Protais in Lectoure, France, during the Nuits musicales en Armagnac Festival.

Movements:

1. Prelude – …

Mass, Michael J. Miller

Masters Theses

MASS is a musical setting of the ordinary parts of the mass: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. These five texts constitute the bulk of Christian liturgy for well over the past millennia. MASS is scored for SATB chorus and small chamber orchestra.

The primary concept from which the movements derive their harmonic material is "chiasmus." A chiasmus is an inverted relationship between the syntactic elements of parallel phrases, as in the phrase "to stop too fearful, and too faint to go." It is a rhetorical device that is the basis of much Hebrew thought and permeates …

Piano Concerto, Ho Jun Lee

Masters Theses

This composition, Piano Concerto, represents the form of theme and variations. This composition is comprised of nine sections: Introduction, Theme, and seven variations. The theme comes from Korean folk song "Saeya Saeya Pahrahng Saeya," having a three-note melody that utilizes a three-note scale. Each variation features different variation techniques or combination of different techniques. These include rhythmic transformation, melody squeeze, contrapuntal technique, harmonic changes, meter changes, pattern changes, texture differentiation, and timbre changes.

Nunc Dimitiis, Jeremy S. Ribando

Masters Theses

The Nunc Dimittis, canticle of Simeon (St. Luke ii, 29-32), is the last in historical sequence of the three great Canticles of the New Testament, the other two being the Magnijicat (Canticle of Mary) and the Benedictus (Canticle of Zachary). Numerous composers have set all three canticles from various classical time periods, all of which utilize the text from the specific canticle to create the musical work. This work is usually written for choir and orchestra or choir alone.

As I begun this work, I worked with the text of the Nunc Dimittis in mind, but rather than …

A Banker's Dozen: Eleven Miniatures In Various Harmonic Styles, Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Op. 13a: 1 score (ii + 11 pages)

Movements:

1. Quartz Precision (seconds)
2. Shades of Autumn (classical)
3. "El Toro" (fourths)
4. Promenade Waltz (romantic)
5. Chromatic Invention (atonal)
6. Lutheran Chorale Harmonization (baroque)
7. Christmas Song Without Words (romantic)
8. (8-11) Four Settings of "the Wine-treader" a Hungarian Folk Tune

Solemn Spring, Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Virtuoso Concert Adagio, Op. 12: 1 score (ii + 8 pages)

In memoriam, Dr. Ron M. Isaac

Premiered at the West Michigan Cancer Center, Kalamazoo

Two Infernal Humoresques For Harpsichord : With Two Manuals, Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Op. 14: 1 score (i + 7 pages)

Movements:

1. Crab Canon
2. Noisy Toy

Melody For Trumpet (C) And Strings For Ave Maria Op. 29bis, Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Op. 32 : 1 score (i + 8 pages) ; Trumpet Melody, transcription for trumpet (C) and string ensemble (violins I, violins II, violas, celli).

Four Variations On A Theme Of Nine, Nathan R. Barber

Masters Theses

This composition represents four variations of a projected total of nine. The variations are based on the number nine having a nine-note theme that utilizes a nine-note scale. Nine is also prominently featured in the meters, rhythms, and harmonic construction. The main harmonic consideration is pandiatonicism using the nine-note scale, although bitonal chords, positioned a ninth apart, are used quite prominently also.

The work is for full orchestra, augmented with saxophone, harp, piano, and four percussionists.

Third Piano Sonata, "Colors Of July", Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Op. 11: 1 score (ii + 17 pages)

Movements:

1. Red
2. White
3. Blue

Awarded the 1999 Pharmacia and Upjohn Foundation Grant

Mass For Strings, Winds And Chorus, Brandon R. Kreuze

Masters Theses

The Mass for Strings, Winds and Chorus was written with two primary purposes: (1) to produce a complete setting of the Ordinary of the Mass utilizing an isorhythmic cantus firmus style, similar to the cantus firmus settings common in the Medieval and Renaissance periods; and (2) to compose this setting in such a manner that it is performable in the environment originally intended for the Ordinary.

The isorhythmic cantus firmus technique of composition was almost exclusively used during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The technique consists of imposing a rhythmic structure upon a common melody (often from plainchant or …

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra, Christine L. Jancarz

Masters Theses

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra is a work based on combinations of traditional forms and compositional techniques. Some of the compositional devices used include mathematically derived pitch sets, as well as traditional scales.

Symphony No. 1, Randon Myles Chisnell

Masters Theses

Symphony No. 1 is a three-part one movement piece for full orchestra. The harmonic structure is based on an underlying recurring harmonic progression. The melodic elements are based on a theme which is never heard in its entirety, but from which the harmonic progression was originally derived.

Of Barbed Wire And Red Roses--Ii: Suite For Large Brass Ensemble And Timpani (Parts), Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Opus 1b: 14 parts (69 pages) ; Parts for Timpani; Trumpet I - IV; Horn I - IV; t-Trombone I - III; b-Trombone; Tuba

The suite Of Barbed Wire and Red Roses—II celebrates the triumph of understanding over hatred, of peace over war. The thirteen brass and timpani are grouped in choirs by movement:

1. Fughetta for Timpani
2. Fanfare for Four Trumpets in B Flat, Three Tenor Trombones and Bass Trombone
3. Interlude for Four Horns in F and Tuba
4. "Of Barbed Wire and Red Roses" for Thirteen Brass and Timpani

Of Barbed Wire And Red Roses--Ii: Suite For Large Brass Ensemble And Timpani (Full Score), Emmanuel M. Dubois

Emmanuel Dubois Compositions

Opus 1b: 1 score (vi + 37 pages) ; includes acknowledgements, foreword

The suite Of Barbed Wire and Red Roses—II celebrates the triumph of understanding over hatred, of peace over war. The thirteen brass and timpani are grouped in choirs by movement:

1. Fughetta for Timpani
2. Fanfare for Four Trumpets in B Flat, Three Tenor Trombones and Bass Trombone
3. Interlude for Four Horns in F and Tuba
4. "Of Barbed Wire and Red Roses" for Thirteen Brass and Timpani

Homo Tonos For Orchestra In Three Movements, Stephen C. Talaga

Masters Theses

Homo Tonos is a work for large orchestra. The entire piece stems from a dodecaphonic system in which each family of instruments is assigned its own unique 12-tone row. The rows are constructed in such a way that when they are written out and stacked one atop the other, they create 12 unique vertical rows.

Throughout the work, the basic rules of 12-tone row manipulation were used as a foundation for organization of pitches. Each family of instruments adheres strictly to its own row except in passages where there are unisons across families. In these instances, the vertical 12-tone rows …

Variants On The Holiday Season, Gary Powell Nash

Masters Theses

Variants on the Holiday Season is a symphonic poem for full orchestra. This composition is based on five Christmas songs including three Medieval tunes, "Nowel Syng We Bothe Al and Son," "Riu Riu," and "Two French Dances," along with "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Deck the Halls." Most of the music is derived from motives, rhythms, harmonies, and interval patterns of the original songs. The harmonies employed are created from the modes of the original tunes. Although there is no program supporting this work, it is considered a symphonic poem because it incorporates chimes, glockenspiel and sleigh bells which …

Concerto For Euphonium And String Orchestra, Steven Dale Sudduth

Masters Theses

The purpose of this concerto is to add substantial literature to the limited repertoire written for euphonium. Each of the three movements explores a different medium of music. The first movement is strictly developmental material based on a five-note motive taken from the end of an ascending melodic minor scale. The second movement uses an unusual five-voice passacaglia. The last movement is a cadenza shared by both the solo euphonium and the string orchestra with both parts having equal importance. Characteristic of all three movements is the blending of the voice ranges and the use of complex rhythms.

A Composition (Untitled), Donald J. Para

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.