When a Good Man Goes to War (Band Gr. 5)

Based on a concept derived from several episodes of the BBC's television series "Doctor Who" this work portrays the complexity of the human condition and the wellspring of hope that often shimmers through even the darkest of times. The piece explores anxiety of duty, signified by the bass drum and timpani heart beat in the opening, and using texture to paint colors of sound.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 5 | Duration: 6:35

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass 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
Trombone 3
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
B-flat Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Timpani (3 drums)
Bass Drum/Suspended Cymbal [2 players]

Program Notes
One of my favorite television programs is BBC's Doctor Who. I remember watching the series as a child and, while not totally understanding what was happening, felt a deep impact from the loveable characters and challenging subject matter. Over the last 15 years or so, Doctor Who has resurged as a story-telling reprieve in my life and one particular exchange has resonated with me:

Wilfred: Why? What have I done?
The Woman: You’re an old soldier, sir. Only you were too late. The war was won and passed you by.
Wilfred: I did my duty.
The Woman: You never killed a man.
Wilfred: No I didn’t. No I did not. No. But don’t say that like it’s shameful.

- Doctor Who, The End of Time, Part 1

Wilfred was a recurring character during several series and the dialogue above allows one to peer into the realities of war, perceptions of valor and honor, and the struggle to reconcile issues of heroism and goodness. When a Good Man Goes to War is an homage to the series and character; a musical representation of the inherent complexity of goodness and war. Ultimately, my hope is to portray the complexity of the human condition and the wellspring of hope that often shimmers through even the darkest of times.