Mars Hill Fantasia

Description

Tenor Trombone 1, Tenor Trombone 2, Tenor Trombone 3, Bass Trombone, Euphonium 1, Euphonium 2, Tuba 1, Tuba 2, Timpani, Chime, Bells, Vibraphone, Marimba 1, Marimba 2, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Percussion 3 — MARS HILL FANTASIA was commissioned by and is gratefully dedicated to Mars Hill College (now Mars Hill University), as part of the festivities celebrating their Sesquicentennial in 2006.The work was commissioned by their Low Brass instructor, and my friend, Dr. James Sparrow. The university is located right in the heart of the beautiful mountain area of Western North Carolina, and I wrote a work which both celebrates the long and distinguished history of Mars Hill University and its lovely mountain setting.The work is scored for two combined ensembles — an 8-part low brass ensemble of trombones, euphoniums, and tubas, and an 8-part percussion ensemble of both mallet and non-pitched percussion instruments. The music contains rich, sonorous, and joyful gestures, with stentorian fanfares, resonant chords, and lyrical melodies. It was given a truly exciting and festive premiere in October 2006 by the combined low brass and percussion ensembles of the music department of Mars Hill.