Symphony of Light (Band Gr. 5)

This creative and highly appealing composition has been acclaimed as one of the most significant works of Ed Huckeby’s prolific composing career. Inspired by various forms of light present in our everyday environment, this five-movement symphonic suite celebrates the brilliant and colorful rays of sunshine, the artificial glow of fluorescent and neon lights, the beautiful reflections of light on water, the effervescent flicker of the "lightning bug," the subtle shades of the moon…all of which create a “Symphony of Light”…a cacophony of light imagery in our everyday world. Whether you are performing a single movement as a concert “character piece,” or the entire twenty-minute work at a concert or festival, this magnificent music will be sure to creatively engage both your musicians and your audience.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: Diamond Band Series
Level: 5 | Duration: 20:30

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contralto Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
B-flat Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Double Bass
Piano [4-hands in Mvt. IV]

Timpani [4 drums]
Keyboard Percussion 1: Xylophone, Bells [both shared]
Keyboard Percussion 2: Marimba [4.3-octave], Vibraphone, Bells, Xylophone, Crotales [2 octaves], Temple Blocks
Keyboard Percussion 3: Chimes, 3 Toms, Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal

Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Vibraslap
Percussion 2: Crash Cymbals, Ride Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Chimes [shared]
Percussion 3: Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Mark Tree, Shaker, Large Gong, Brake Drum, Cabasa

Program Notes
Symphony of Light is a symphonic suite which celebrates the "Symphony of Light" which is present in our everyday surroundings…the brilliant and colorful rays of sunshine, the artificial glow of fluorescent and neon lights, the beautiful reflections of light on water, the effervescent flicker of the "lightening bug," the subtle shades of the moon…all of which create a cacophony of light imagery in our world.

I. DAYBREAK is a musical reflection of the light seen at the birth of each morning, capturing that moment when the sun rises over the eastern horizon…the initial serenity…followed by the ebb and flow of a typically chaotic morning mixed with hectic activity and moments of quiet repose.

II. REFLECTIONS: FIRE IN THE SKY captures the incredibly colorful reflections of clouds on a beautiful body of water as the sun sets in the west…with trees and landscape images inverted on the water near the concentric circles created by fish and fowl.

III. FIREFLIES are unique creatures which create a spectacular cacophony of stimulating visual imagery, typically in the early evening hours of the summer. Their energy and unique presence are musically represented in a somewhat light-hearted, humorous and "pointillistic" fashion intertwined with a Brubeck-like jazz waltz.

IV. DARK SIDE OF THE MOON represents man's fascination with the essence of darkness…cold…void. This mysterious hidden side of the moon, which was first photographed via space exploration in the 1960's, provides a dramatic, almost ethereal, backdrop for the unique harmonic and melodic schemes presented.

V. NEON is an energetic musical representation of the hustle and bustle of nightlife on a busy street in metropolis…with magnificent colors and unique shapes overpowering the streetscape as the city takes on a beautiful electric glow. This movement explores rhythmic, melodic and contrapuntal elements which are characteristically representative of contemporary wind band style.

This work was commissioned by a higher education instrumental ensemble consortium including: Cameron University (OK), East Central University (OK), East Central University (OK) - Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter, North Dakota State University, North Greenville University (SC), Northeastern State University (OK), Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and the University of Central Oklahoma.

East Central University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Nicholaus Meyers