Beachscapes (2008)

Grade 4 • 8:30 • published by Sonic Soundscape Productions

Performance: The American Band | Conductor: Dr. Brian Cardany

PROGRAM NOTES

There’s nothing like a day at the beach, and for composer Roger Cichy, visits to the beaches are a common occurrence during the summer months for this Rhode Island resident.  “What I find remarkable”, Cichy comments, “is that each beach seems to have its own personality. Whether the beach tends to draw families with children, or the younger generation or those looking for peace and serenity, each beach has a different feel, has a different character, and even has a different set of sounds.”

Commissioned by The American Band Commissioning Project Consortium, Beachscapes highlights three southern New England beaches as composer Roger Cichy provides you with his musical impressions of each, hence the title “Beachscapes”.

Nauset beach, located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is the setting for the first movement.  Being on the “open ocean” side of the cape, Nauset beach contains some of the largest waves that can be found on the New England coast.  A day at Nauset beach wouldn’t be typical without a number of surfers attempting to ride the waves.  Quite whimsical in sight, the surfers cautiously balance themselves on their boards through the loud and pounding surf only to sooner or later lose control and “take a spill”.  Occasionally though, they do make it all the way in where they pause for a moment to make sure the other surfers see them in their brief moment of triumph before returning to sea for another go.  With the aromatic smells of the on-beach chowder shack along with a number of sea creatures that are churned up by the heavy surf and jettison on the shore, sea gulls of every size and variety swarm the beach for any mouthful they can get.  Watching them jockey into position to steal some poor beachgoer’s snack makes for better entertainment than you can find on most cable channels these days.

Rocky Neck beach, found at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme, Connecticut, provides a distinct contrast to that of Nauset.  Calmer and warmer waters provide a perfect setting for a peaceful retreat from the hectic pace of everyday life.  Here, the beachgoer goes for what might be considered nature’s therapy: gentle rhythmic waves, warm breezes, and soft light sand.  Occasionally though, you are awakened from your passive state as the Amtrak train goes streaking by as is skirts the beach on its way to New York or Boston.

Scarborough beach, one of Rhode Island’s State Beaches located in Narragansett is the perfect host for family fun, especially kids of every age.  Parking is extremely important here as parents feverishly work to minimize the distance from their car to their favorite beach spot before orchestrating the massive movement of beach equipment including beach umbrellas, beach chairs, buckets, pails, shovels, picnic basket, boogie boards, fresh change of clothes, and – oh yes, “did someone remember the sunscreen?”  Simply put, this is where families come to play!  There isn’t a spot on the beach that doesn’t have some form of family activities.  But what happens when the saggy-diapered child in the middle of a major sand construction project has to deal with an unwelcomed crab? 

INSTRUMENTATION

Winds: Piccolo, Flute 1 & 2, Oboe, Bassoon, Bb Clarinet 1 - 3, Bb Bass Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophones 1 & 2, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Eb Baritone Saxophone

Brass: Bb Trumpet 1 - 3, F Horn 1 & 2, Trombone 1 - 3, Euphonium, Tuba

Percussion: Timpani, Percussion 1 (bar chimes, snare drum, bass drum, maracas, crash cymbals, finger cymbals), Percussion 2 (orchestra bells, suspended cymbal), Percussion 3 (vibraphone)