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WIND ENSEMBLE MUSIC
LOOSE CABOOSE
for wind ensemble
Duration:
9:00 minutes
Instrumentation:
4 Fl. (all double Piccolo); 4 Ob.;
4 Cl.; 4 Bn.; 2 SSx (doubling TSx);
2 ASx; 4 Hn.; 3 Tp.; 4 Trb.;
1 Euph. (optional); 1 Tb (optional);
2 Perc.;
2 Pianos
Year Composed:
2020
Written For:
Charles Peltz
Premiere Performance:
November 2021
Charles Peltz, conductor
New England Conservatory
Boston, USA
WIND ENSEMBLE REPERTOIRE
THEMES:
Program Notes:
When traveling by train, I enjoy sitting by the window and looking outside. When looking afar, the horizon moves rather slowly and in an oval-shaped line. When looking closer, the sharp angle presents a hectic, fast-changing, unpredictable visual effect. Over the years, I started viewing these visual experiences as sound events, ever-changing, merging, widening, closing up, and always colorful. The title refers to the unpredictability of events, much like how one cannot predict the next event while seated on a fast-moving loose caboose.
Loose Caboose is dedicated to Charles Peltz.
Score of Loose Caboose for wind ensemble
Essential Works for Wind Ensemble / Symphonic Band
1. Gustav Holst – First Suite in E-flat, Op. 28, No. 1 (1909)
Medium: Symphonic band
A foundational classic, Holst’s suite gave artistic legitimacy to the band medium, with elegant counterpoint and memorable melodies.
2. Gustav Holst – Second Suite in F, Op. 28, No. 2 (1911)
Medium: Symphonic band
Infused with English folk tunes, this vibrant suite remains a favorite for its dance-like rhythms and charming character.
3. Percy Grainger – Lincolnshire Posy (1937)
Medium: Wind ensemble
A masterpiece of folk adaptation, Lincolnshire Posy offers expressive and technical challenges with its rich harmonic language and asymmetrical rhythms.
4. Ralph Vaughan Williams – Toccata Marziale (1924)
Medium: Symphonic band
A bold and noble concert work emphasizing rhythmic drive and brass brilliance.
5. Paul Hindemith – Symphony in B-flat (1951)
Medium: Symphonic band
Hindemith’s rigorous, contrapuntal style gives this symphony lasting weight and importance in the band repertoire.
6. Vincent Persichetti – Symphony No. 6, Op. 69 (1956)
Medium: Wind ensemble
Lyrical, accessible, and forward-thinking, this work established Persichetti as a pillar of American wind music.
7. Morton Gould – West Point Symphony (1952)
Medium: Symphonic band
A ceremonial yet symphonic work that blends marches with jazz-influenced phrasing and colorful scoring.
8. Karel Husa – Music for Prague 1968 (1968)
Medium: Wind ensemble
An intense, dramatic response to political turmoil, this work uses extended techniques and layered symbolism.
9. Michael Colgrass – Winds of Nagual (1985)
Medium: Wind ensemble
Based on stories by Carlos Castaneda, this Pulitzer Prize-winning composer blends theatricality, color, and narrative into a deeply imaginative concert work.
10. John Harbison – Music for Eighteen Winds (1986)
Medium: Wind ensemble
Scored for a flexible chamber wind ensemble, this piece showcases Harbison’s lyrical lines and precise architectural pacing.
11. Alfred Reed – Armenian Dances, Part I (1972)
Medium: Symphonic band
A beloved classic, Reed's adaptation of Armenian folk tunes blends authenticity with orchestral vibrancy.
12. Frank Ticheli – Blue Shades (1997)
Medium: Wind ensemble
Infused with jazz harmony and swing rhythms, this piece is energetic, expressive, and full of personality.
13. John Mackey – Redline Tango (2004)
Medium: Wind ensemble
A virtuosic showpiece that blends rhythmic propulsion with modern orchestration and emotional depth.
14. Eric Whitacre – October (2000)
Medium: Wind ensemble
A meditative, lyrical work with lush harmonies that has become a staple in high-level band programming.
15. Donald Grantham – Southern Harmony (1998)
Medium: Symphonic band
Based on early American hymn tunes, this dramatic and spiritual work offers historical resonance and vivid colors.
16. Michael Daugherty – Niagara Falls (1997)
Medium: Symphonic band
Programmatic and cinematic, this high-energy piece is a crowd favorite for both players and audiences.
17. Yasuhide Ito – Gloriosa (1990)
Medium: Symphonic band
A major Japanese contribution to the band repertoire, combining chant-inspired themes with vibrant modern orchestration.