Shades of Ivory

Shades of Ivory is a serious work for young band. The composer challenges the performers by creating differing shades and colors using just the white keys of the piano, or the "ivories".

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 4 | Duration: 8:30

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2/3
Bb Clarinet 4/5
Alto Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Contralto Clarinet
Bassoon 1/2
Eb Alto Saxophone 1/2
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone

Bb Trumpet 1/2
Bb Trumpet 3
Bb Trumpet 4
Bb Trumpet 5
F Horn 1/2
F Horn 3/4
Trombone 1/2
Trombone 3
Trombone 4
Trombone 5
Euphonium
Tuba

String Bass

Timpani
Percussion 1 (marimba, whip, crash cymbals)
Percussion 2 (suspended cymbal, vibes, orchestra bells)
Percussion 3 (triangle, ratchet, snare drum, tam-tam, xylophone)
Percussion 4 (wind chimes, bass drum, woodblock)

Program Notes
Shades of Ivory was commisioned by the Iowa Bandmasters Association in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Iowa All-State Music Festival. It was premiered on November 23, 1996 by the Iowa All-State Band, James Croft, conductor.

When I learned that I had been selected to compose a piece for the 50th Anniversary of the Iowa All-State Band, I felt both happiness and real honor. As a former member of the Iowa All-State Band and Orchestra, I knew first-hand what an achievement it was to be a member of those ensembles. I also remembered the inspiration that my first All-State experience gave me. The experiences I had during those few precious hours of rehearsal were what solidified music as one of the shaping forces in my life. I knew that I wanted to write a piece for the Iowa All-State Band that could give students today a chance to experience those feelings, too. I chose not to write a piece that was just like every other celebratory, fanfare-ish anniversary piece. Instead, I wanted to write a serious wind and percussion work that would hopefully challenge the members of the ensemble while still leaving them time to perfect it in only two days of rehearsal. The title of the resultant piece, Shades of Ivory, comes from part of the limitations I placed on myself when I composed the piece. My challenge to myself in this piece was to write a work that was interesting and fresh, yet only used the white keys of the piano. Therefore, I attempted to create different shades and colors using just the "ivories."

- Andrew Boysen, Jr.