Maestro! (2005)

GRADE 5 • 11:30 • published by C. Alan Publications

Performance: Indiana University Wind Ensemble | Conductor: Ray Cramer

PROGRAM NOTES

When composer Roger Cichy was asked to consider writing a piece for Ray Cramer’s “retirement” concert, the thought immediately entered his mind to create a musical biography of the man being honored.  After conducting several interviews with some of Ray’s colleagues and former students, Cichy began work on the piece.  Cichy recalls, “it wasn’t too far into the piece that I realized the ‘musical biography’ approach just wasn’t working and what was coming out was not a piece about Ray and his many accomplishments as in a lifescape, but rather a piece that portrays the essence of Ray Cramer”.   Cichy capitalized on an interesting aspect of the people he had interviewed regarding Ray Cramer, their consistent discussion about his integrity, passion, warmth, energy and love.  Cichy further comments, “these qualities were so highly spoken of and consistently mentioned that I found myself making this the impetus for this work.”

One of Cichy’s interview questions was: “If you were the one composing a piece for Ray Cramer, what one thing in particular would you include in the piece?”  The answer was unanimous, a trombone solo!  Cichy didn’t want to disappoint anyone (including himself) so the work contains a trombone solo.

Regarding the title, composer Roger Cichy really wrestled with what to title the new work.  He knew he wanted to include the word “Maestro” somewhere in the title since the word’s meaning was so appropriate for the significance of this work.  Maestro literally means an eminent teacher or conductor of music, a master of any art.  After Cichy discussed the title with his wife for some advice, his wife finally looked up and said, “Why don’t you just call it Maestro?”  Cichy recalls, “I added the exclamation point at the end.”

Maestro! has been recorded by the Indiana University Wind Ensemble under the baton of Ray Crammer and is available on the Mark label (5888-MCD).

INSTRUMENTATION

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

Brass: Bb Trumpet 1 - 4, F Horn 1 - 4, Trombone 1 - 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Off-Stage Brass: Bb Trumpet 1 & 2, F Horn, Trombone

Percussion: Timpani, Percussion 1 (snare drum, bass drum, tam-Tam, sand blocks, claves, guiro, triangle), Percussion 2 (crash cymbals, tam-tam, suspended cymbal, 4 concert toms, vibraphone, vibra-slap, woodblock, triangle, castanets, conga drum, cowbell, marimba, finger cymbals, bar chimes, chimes, tambourine, claves), Percussion 3 (chimes, orchestra bells, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba)

Strings: String Bass