Concert Band

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Battle Cry of Freedom

Grade 5

This famous civil war piece was written in 1862, advocating the causes of Unionism and abolutionism. The present setting of this tune uses the melody in a range of moods and styles to portray both the fierce patriotism and immense sorrow of the nation during this momentous time of war.

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Concerto

Grade 5

Composed by Scott Ninmer

"Concerto for Tuba and Concert Band" portrays the emotional journey of our protagonist, the tuba, as it progresses from a mirthful innocence through despondency and, ultimately, to anger and exasperation. This fifteen-minute concerto follows a traditional three-movement ‘fast-slow-fast’ structure in roughly equal parts. As in many of my works, this piece draws upon my knowledge of classical harmony and form, jazz rhythms and syncopation, and the melodies and spirit of folk and pop music. Hopefully, this synthesis of genres has come together in a piece that is as enjoyable for the audience to hear as it was for me to compose.

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Harlem Drive

Grade 5

Composed by Scott Ninmer

"Harlem Drive" was written for the Millikin University Symphonic Wind Ensemble in 2017. It depicts the unique experience of driving in the Big Apple, in which the air is filled with the sounds of car horns of every make and model. In Harlem, one will also hear Afro-Cuban music projecting from boomboxes, and some sense of these Afro-Cuban dance rhythms is captured in this piece in the form of an elided son montuno. We escape across the George Washington Bridge to relative peacefulness in the middle section of the work, but we eventually must return.

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Idyll

Grade 4

Composed by Scott Ninmer

"Idyll" was commissioned by the 2015 Area Honor Band. In composing this after having lived in New York City for three years, I often found myself sentimental and longing for the open expanses of land and the quiet, rural lifestyle that growing up in Central Illinois afforded me. This piece was written as a reflection of my memories growing up in the area.

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The Long Road Home

Grade 5

Composed by Scott Ninmer

"The Long Road Home" was commissioned by the Southern California Brass Consortium in 2014 and transcribed for concert band in 2016. "The Long Road Home" depicts the thoughts of a soldier in transit home from a long war abroad. Despite the horrors he has seen in the war, he remains fiercely patriotic and eternally optimistic. The piece opens with the patriotic theme as the soldier reflects on his service, and subsequently takes us through recollections of his fallen comrades, flashbacks to gruesome battles, and ultimately his pride in serving his country.

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March Madness

Grade 3

Composed by Scott Ninmer

"March Madness" was commissioned by the Taylorville High School Concert Band in 2012. It was written in honor of Dolph Stanley and all of the men and women who have participated in the athletics programs at Taylorville High School. Several of Taylorville's fight songs, including "On Wisconsin" and "Alma Mater", also make an appearance.

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Nightfall

Grade 5

Composed by Scott Ninmer

This piece was written to reflect the peaceful serenity of a quiet night in the open country. The lush sound of the wind band has no equal in any other ensemble, and I sought to capitalize on that fact in this piece. Several solos for the alto saxophone and baritone horn are used in this piece, as well as multiple soli moments for both the woodwinds and the brass.

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The Wind in the Willows

Grade 5

Composed by Scott Ninmer

"The Wind in the Willows" was composed for symphony orchestra in 2012 and transcribed for wind band in 2016. Based on the children's book "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame, the first four sections of the piece ("Spring Cleaning", "The River", "Toad Hall", "Wild Wood") feature a tale from each individual character and location. Each character is given a theme that is presented in their corresponding tale. The "Wind in the Willows" motive (first played by the horns in the opening fanfare) is woven into each of these character's themes, and also recurs independently in various guises throughout. All four themes ultimately come together in the "The Fight for Toad Hall", and the piece comes to a close with Toad's glorious victory banquet.

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