The Forge Of Vulcan
By Michael Sweeney
Hal Leonard Corporation
Grade: 2
Year: 1997
Duration: 3'35"
Key: Bb
Time: 4/4, 3/4
Tempo: quarter note = 152, 105
Grade: 2
Year: 1997
Duration: 3'35"
Key: Bb
Time: 4/4, 3/4
Tempo: quarter note = 152, 105
Instrumentation
Flute Oboe Bassoon Clarinet 1 / 2 Eb Alto Clarinet Bass Clarinet Eb Alto Saxophone 1 / 2 Tenor Saxophone Eb Baritone Saxophone Trumpet 1 / 2 |
F Horn
Trombone Tuba Convertible Bass Line Snare Drum Bass Drum Crash Cymbals Medium Tom Xylophone Timpani Metal Trash Can Lids Rain Stick |
Click on LISTEN to listen to a recording.
Suggestions for Small Band Instrumentation
This is an exciting piece for percussion partially because of the variety and the metal trash can lids. Don't worry about the amount of percussion listed. Most of it isn't used at the same time and you can cover parts with about four percussionists with an assist from a band member playing rain stick and possibly cymbals. Other than that the instrumentation works well in that flute and oboe are doubled by each other. The beginning keeps the entire brass and woodwind sections in unison/octave fourths. Even in the slow section found in the middle the harmonies are kept in simple triads that are doubled throughout the group.
Program Notes
In Greek and Roman mythology, Vulcan was the god of fire and metal working. The Forge of Vulcan musically describes the moods and sounds of an imaginary workplace of this ancient blacksmith. To produce the metalic sound of the forge, large aluminum trash cans are required.
Composer
Michael Sweeney is currently Director of Band Publications for Hal Leonard Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one of the largest publishers of printed music in the world. Michael is directly responsible for the development, production, recording and marketing of new publications for school bands. In addition, he contributes as a composer and arranger in all instrumental areas, and is particularly known for his writing at the younger levels for concert band and jazz. Since joining the company in 1982, Hal Leonard has published over 500 of his compositions and arrangements. Mr. Sweeney is a 1977 graduate of Indiana University (Bloomington), where he earned a bachelor's degree in music education and studied composition with Bernard Heiden, John Eaton and Donald Erb. Prior to working for Hal Leonard he was a band director in Ohio and Indiana, working with successful concert, jazz and marching programs at all levels from elementary to high school. A winner of multiple ASCAP awards, his Ancient Voices (1994) and Imperium (1992) are featured in the acclaimed Teaching Music Through Performance series by GIA Publications. Other compositions such as Black Forest Overture (1996), The Forge of Vulcan (1997) and Distant Thunder of the Sacred Forest (2003) have become staples in the repertoire for middle school bands. He has received commissions ranging from middle school and high school bands to the Eastman Wind Ensemble and Canadian Brass. His works appear on numerous state contest lists and his music is regularly performed throughout the world. Michael is also in demand as a clinician and conductor for honor bands and festivals. Michael resides north of Milwaukee where he enjoys fishing and playing the bodhrán.
Information Collected From
http://www.halleonard.com/biographyDisplay.do?id=174&subsiteid=1
http://www.jwpepper.com/Forge-of-Vulcan/2385284.item#.VanghypViko
http://www.whsmusic.nvi.net/pdf/springbandprogram2008.pdf
Suggestions for Small Band Instrumentation
This is an exciting piece for percussion partially because of the variety and the metal trash can lids. Don't worry about the amount of percussion listed. Most of it isn't used at the same time and you can cover parts with about four percussionists with an assist from a band member playing rain stick and possibly cymbals. Other than that the instrumentation works well in that flute and oboe are doubled by each other. The beginning keeps the entire brass and woodwind sections in unison/octave fourths. Even in the slow section found in the middle the harmonies are kept in simple triads that are doubled throughout the group.
Program Notes
In Greek and Roman mythology, Vulcan was the god of fire and metal working. The Forge of Vulcan musically describes the moods and sounds of an imaginary workplace of this ancient blacksmith. To produce the metalic sound of the forge, large aluminum trash cans are required.
Composer
Michael Sweeney is currently Director of Band Publications for Hal Leonard Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one of the largest publishers of printed music in the world. Michael is directly responsible for the development, production, recording and marketing of new publications for school bands. In addition, he contributes as a composer and arranger in all instrumental areas, and is particularly known for his writing at the younger levels for concert band and jazz. Since joining the company in 1982, Hal Leonard has published over 500 of his compositions and arrangements. Mr. Sweeney is a 1977 graduate of Indiana University (Bloomington), where he earned a bachelor's degree in music education and studied composition with Bernard Heiden, John Eaton and Donald Erb. Prior to working for Hal Leonard he was a band director in Ohio and Indiana, working with successful concert, jazz and marching programs at all levels from elementary to high school. A winner of multiple ASCAP awards, his Ancient Voices (1994) and Imperium (1992) are featured in the acclaimed Teaching Music Through Performance series by GIA Publications. Other compositions such as Black Forest Overture (1996), The Forge of Vulcan (1997) and Distant Thunder of the Sacred Forest (2003) have become staples in the repertoire for middle school bands. He has received commissions ranging from middle school and high school bands to the Eastman Wind Ensemble and Canadian Brass. His works appear on numerous state contest lists and his music is regularly performed throughout the world. Michael is also in demand as a clinician and conductor for honor bands and festivals. Michael resides north of Milwaukee where he enjoys fishing and playing the bodhrán.
Information Collected From
http://www.halleonard.com/biographyDisplay.do?id=174&subsiteid=1
http://www.jwpepper.com/Forge-of-Vulcan/2385284.item#.VanghypViko
http://www.whsmusic.nvi.net/pdf/springbandprogram2008.pdf