CYCLES (2022) for Tuba (or Euphonium) and Vibraphone
CYCLES is the result of a consortium for tuba and vibraphone (and a version for euphonium and vibraphone) written in memory of Dr. Doug Whitten, professor of tuba and euphonium at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. The consortium was led by tubist and former student of Doug, Johnathan De Soto Jr. CYCLES consists of two movements. The first movement, “The Gifts that Life Brings”, was inspired by the stories I was told by those who knew Doug, describing him as kind, accepting, selfless, loving, among many other things. This movement also represents Doug’s love for tuba, and music in general, by revolving around an ethereal chord progression and melody that develops and transforms over time. The second movement, “Embrace the Grind” is up-tempo and energetic, representing Doug’s love for cycling and roller derby. It also contains a slower, more flowing B section, as if momentarily stopping a cycle ride to admire the beautiful Kansan sunset.
World premiere performance by Johnathan De Soto Jr. (tuba) and Jim Clanton (vibraphone):
I. The Gifts that Life Brings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKdVWb6IhGM
II. Embrace the Grind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utuM8zw-KvU
Consortium performance by Justin Weis (euphonium) and Sophia Lo (vibraphone):
https://soundcloud.com/ianlester-1/cycles-euphonium-and-vibraphone-version
Duration: Approx. 9 minutes
Difficulty: 3.5/5
Format:
- PDF score and parts for the tuba and vibraphone version
- PDF score and parts for the euphonium and vibraphone version
Consortium members:
Johnathan De Soto Jr. (Lead Commissioner)
Armando Alicandu, Beau Bedane, Dr. AJ Beu, Phillip Black, Josh and Lauren Calkin, Jason Casanova, Andrea Dinkel, Devon Ellicott, Nate Gay, David Kutz, Drew Leslie, Blake Lile, Christopher Lynch, Cooper Neil, Allen Parrish, Edward Shaw, Jared Sherman, Tom Stein, North Texas Chapter of the International Tuba Euphonium Association, Richard Watson, Randy Westmoreland, Catcher Whitten
Special thanks to Jim Clanton and Martin Mendez for their vibraphone knowledge and expertise.
Copyright © 2022 Ian Lester