AMERICA 250 for Brass Ensemble and Percussion (2026))
I composed "America 250" for brass ensemble and percussion in 2026 as an entry in the 10th annual Tampa Bay Symphony Call for Scores Composition Competition. The duration is 6:30. The musical language alternates between modal and tonal with a heavier emphasis on the former.
A pedal tone D in the tuba and a snare drum sound a couple of times to begin the piece. This is followed by the 1st horn sounding an accompanimental ostinato figure made up of the intervals 2nd and 5th (2-5 [0]). Then the 1st trumpet enters with the main theme which also features these intervals. A transitional passage ensues that leads to an abandoned climax followed by fugue-like music. This is followed by a return of the music from the preceding transitional passage followed by a fully realized, twice sounded climactic passage. Any time music is repeated in the piece it is altered in one way or another.
Next, a once sounded transitional passage leads to the calm middle section of the piece. The theme that appears there is repeated twice, quiet and quieter. This is intentionally the opposite of the restive classical development section one associates with the sonata form.
The music of the opening then returns followed by the climactic passage. This leads to the once-sounded calm closing music of the piece which is based on the once-sounded transitional passage from earlier.
The sheet music is available for licensing from me, and for sale from Sheet Music Plus.
Link to a scrolling score music video on YouTube.
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