Divertimento for Four Saxes and Band

Divertimento for Four Saxes and Band (2013) was commissioned by the Dynasax Quartet of New Albany, IN. The project's primary focus was composing a piece that would not only feature the ensemble playing of the members of the group but would also explore their own personal individuality as a performer. Taking this a step further, I asked each of the members which styles of music they would prefer their movement to focus on. Following the introduction, which uses a neo-classical style to demonstrate the virtuosic ensemble abilities of the quartet, I designated each of the remaining movements to one member.

The 'Rocket' movement, written for Victor Maddox on Baritone Saxophone, is based out of the style of fast classic rock, I style which Victor had explained to me he was very accustomed to. Fortunately, having been to exposed to classic rock for the better of my life this did not present a great challenge to me. And with the Baritone Sax being a highly underestimated instrument, I took the opportunity to flash off its technical abilities and range.

'For Her' was written for Dynasax's Alto Sax player, Jason Sparks. He had asked me to write him something lyrical that he could dedicate to his wife, who he had expressed was a great inspiration to him and everything he does. To compose this movement, I channeled my feelings over the one who has been a great inspiration to me over the past year and a half. The lyrical expressions and beautiful humanistic tone of the alto-sax alludes to a person singing their heart out to thank those who kept them going even on the toughest of days.

The most challenging of all of the movements of the divertimento for me to compose was the one that I titled 'Blue.' Michael Gryzelaczyk, Tenor Sax, had expressed to me his love for blues and how he really enjoyed Improv Jazz. Knowing what I was up against, and having never attempted to write Jazz before I briefly consulted my older brother, Paul, who was a popular local guitarist in Lexington, Ky and who will be starting a branch of the SDML Academy of Guitar in the Chicago market. After discussing the important guidelines to writing blues and some of the possible 12-bar chord progressions, I was able to compose what turned out to be my favorite movement of the divertimento. It helped having a stellar improv jazzer at my disposal! 

Finally, the divertimento concludes with the 'Galop,' a fast and exhilarating collection of melodies that demonstrates the impeccable virtuosity of my good friend, Cory Barnfield, on Soprano Sax. I have Cory to thank for the birth of this piece as he was the one who originally pushed the idea as after I wrote in a Saxophone part for him to play in my Superhero Symphony. The movement, which is based upon two main themes presented in ABA form, shows off the technical abilities of the soprano sax while also demonstrated the altissimo register in some instances. It was the most well received and critically acclaimed movement of the entire divertimento.

Fun Fact about this Piece: The Divertimento for Four Saxes and Band saw its official world premiere on November 21, 2013. Its original performance date was scheduled to be on November 17, but the Concert Band was forced to push the concert to Thursday due to a Tornado Warning that had been issued for the Floyd County area. Fortunately, despite having to drive over 20 hours in less than a week, I was able to attend the actual premiere on Thursday.

A FULL SCORE OF THIS COMPOSITION IS NOT YET AVAILABLE, BUT IT WILL BE UPLOADED SOON!