NIGHT FEEL (2024) - for Euphonium and Fixed Media
NIGHT FEEL is an intermediate-level work for euphonium and electronics that is the result of a consortium led by Scott Rogers in late Spring of 2024. NIGHT FEEL is meant to convey the perfect summer night. To some, that may consist of mingling with friends around a campfire by the lake. To others, it may be sitting in silence, gazing up at the stars in the sky. An opening narration by fellow composer and musician Grace Caggiano sets the scene of a clear, warm night with a cool breeze gliding through the trees. Multiple synthesizers take over, creating a lush soundscape. Sampled sounds of wind, water, crickets, an old rocking chair, friends talking, and a fizzling sparkler further emphasize the feeling of summer. The work ends with fifteen seconds of ambient summer sounds, wrapping up the perfect summer night.
Duration: 6 minutes 40 seconds
Difficulty: 2/5
Format: PDF solo euphonium part (B.C. and T.C.), WAV and MP3 files of the backing track, and MP3 file of backing track with an integrated click track.
Copyright © 2024 Ian Lester
HAMMERSPACE (2023) for Euphonium and Fixed Media
HAMMERSPACE is a work for solo euphonium and fixed media. Written for Dr. Lee Harrelson, this piece consists of three energetic sections, each with distinct themes. The first section “HAMMERSPACE” is inspired by the concept of the same name, which is the extradimensional, instantly accessible storage area in fiction used to explain how animated, comic, and game characters can produce objects out of thin air. The second section “The Neon Lights” draws inspiration from Synth Wave music. While slightly more laid back in tempo and feel, “The Neon Lights” continues to grow in intensity. The final portion of the piece “Euphonium vs. Synthesizer” is exactly what the name suggests: a battle of the bands-type scenario where the solo euphoniumist wages war against the synthesizers. The work ends with an ascending rip to a sustained high C (or optional high E) in the euphonium part, signifying victory for the soloist.
Duration: 6 minutes 45 seconds
Difficulty: 4/5
Format: PDF solo euphonium part (B.C. and T.C.) and a WAV file of the backing track.
Copyright © 2023 Ian Lester
For the Love of Family (2023) - for Tuba and Fixed Media
For the Love of Family was commissioned in the summer of 2023 by Tom Stein. For the Love of Family is an uplifting work for solo tuba or euphonium and fixed media that includes references to hymns such as Amazing Grace and The Old Rugged Cross mixed with original material. The A section is exciting and upbeat, with the soloist mingling with bright synths, a grooving bassline, and a drum set. The B section pays homage to The Old Rugged Cross, with strings and vocal synths helping create a lush soundscape. Finally, the C section is an energetic finale, drawing inspiration from British Brass Band music. A contrabass tuba, bass tuba, and euphonium version of For the Love of Family are included.
Duration: 6 minutes
Difficulty: Contrabass version: 3/5, Bass version: 3.5/5, Euphonium version: 3/5
Format: PDF solo part the contrabass tuba, bass tuba, and euphonium versions, MP3 file of the backing track, and an MP3 file of the premiere performance for reference.
Copyright © 2023 Ian Lester
S0c1AL - for trombone, fixed media, and optional guitar pedals
S0c1AL was written in 2022 for Brent Mead as part of his grant-based project to commission several new works for trombone that all were to relate to issues, disorders, and traumas that many people face. The project is aimed towards younger people in an effort to show through music that these negativities in life can be dealt with and managed in a healthy way, and more importantly, to show that there are others who have faced similar obstacles; you are not alone. S0c1AL deals with the topic of social anxiety, a type of anxiety disorder, that many people, including myself, struggle with to some extent. Social anxiety is persistent and makes it difficult to do things such as meet new people, develop new relationships, and attend social gatherings. Furthermore, someone with social anxiety may fear that they are being judged by others and feel helpless to control these feelings. S0c1AL is a through-composed work that consists of three main thematic sections:
I. There are Almost 8 Billion People on This Planet, yet I Feel so Alone: This first section portrays the constant pendulum of emotions associated with social anxiety. One is fearful of being around others, yet simultaneously yearns for friendship. This inner conflict is represented frequent shifting between “bright” and “dark” melodic and harmonic structures in both the solo trombone part and the backing track. Optional pedals used: Reverb, Octave, and Delay.
II. Risk with a Side of Self-doubt: This movement represents the anxiety, fear, and questions that arise when approaching someone new: “What should I say? What if they think I’m weird? Do I make small talk?” Optional pedals used: Overdrive and Chorus.
III. Free: Finally, this optimistic movement represents the relief and weight off the shoulders when one successfully makes a new friend. Optional pedals used: Reverb.
Duration: 6 minutes
Difficulty: 3.5/5
Format: PDF solo part and WAV file of the backing track.
Copyright © 2022 Ian Lester
Hindsight (2021) - for Tuba (or Euphonium) and Fixed Media
Hindsight was written in 2021 as part of a consortium led by Taylor Hicks. The work revolves around the saying “hindsight is 20/20”, an expression that in this instance, refers to how humanity might look back on the year 2020, including the COVID-19 Pandemic and the turbulent and constant social and political unrest that swept through the United States. Hindsight is written in an arch form (ABCBA) with slight deviations within the following three main sections: 1. The Empty Streets, 2.Pandemic Pandemonium, 3. March.
Consortium Members:
Taylor Hicks (Lead Commissioner), John Szkutko, James O’Connell, Chasse Duplantis, Kevin Fenske, Dr. Jesse Orth, Thomas G. Stein, Nick Beltchev, Steph Frye-Clark, Walter Hicks, Nathan Gay, Alexander Lapins, Edward Shaw Jr, Tim Schachtschneider, Jonathan Jarman, Patrick Yeh, Drew Leslie
Duration: 8 minutes 30 seconds
Difficulty: 3.5/5
Format: PDF solo parts (both tuba and euphonium versions included) and the MP3 file of the backing track
Copyright © 2021 Ian Lester