Pictures for the American People (2002) SZM024

For Concert Band

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Duration: 12:00

Publisher: Suburban Zombie Music

Instrumentation:

  • Piccolo
  • Flute I, II
  • Oboe
  • Clarinet in Bb I, II, III
  • Bass Clarinet in Bb
  • Alto Saxophone I, II
  • Tenor Saxophone
  • Baritone Saxophone
  • Bassoon
  • Trumpet in Bb I, II, III
  • French Horn I, II, III, IV in F
  • Trombone I, II, III
  • Euphonium (BC)
  • Euphonium (TC)
  • Tuba
  • Timpani, Orchestra Bells
  • Percussion 1 - Snare Drum, Woodblock, Ocean Drum, Vibraphone, Wood Chimes
  • Percussion 2 - Bass Drum, Marimba, Orchestra Bells
  • Percussion 3 - Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Small Gong, Sleigh Bells
  • Percussion 4 - Tambourine, Rainstick, Vibraphone, Large Gong
  • Percussion 5 - Triangle, Concert Toms (4), Marimba

Dur: 9:45

Instrumentation: 2Fl, Ob, 3Cl, Bs Cl, 2Alto, Ten, Bari, Bsn, 3Tpt, 4Hrn, 3Tbn, Euph, Tuba, Timp, Hit hat, Tamb, Cym, Tri, Gong, Chimes, Bass Drum, Glock, Vibes, Mar.

Norman Rockwell is an icon of American life and art. His works have inspired generations of Americans for the last century. The covers of the Saturday Evening Post captured a unique and highly acclaimed view of American life. The images seen in his paintings tell a story far greater than any one picture, they tell stories of life . . . . not life anywhere . . but here . . in America. Pictures for the American People is a work of 5 movements. Each movement is inspired by a painting of Norman Rockwell.

The piece was commissioned in the spring of 2002 by the senior class of the Dulles High School Band; Sugar Land, Texas, in honor of their band director; Mr. Bill Duggan for his years of service and inspiring teaching. Movement one is titled “War News” after the painting of the same name. This movement is intended to re-create a vintage radio news broadcast. This portion is relatively short (as the news blips were) and goes from one section of material to the next before wrapping up quickly. The second section is titled “Girl at the Mirror” after Rockwell’s famous portrait of a young girl sitting at the mirror. A magazine is open on her lap with the picture of an older model. The girl has carefully pinned her hair in an innocent attempt to re-create the models looks. The piece is one of a simple, innocent theme with an underscoring of longing for something you cannot yet have. The third movement is titled “Shuffleton’s Barbershop.” This painting depicts a closed barbershop at night. In the back you can peer through an open doorway to the brightly lit back section of the store. In the background you can see several gentlemen with fiddles, a clarinet, and a bass. This section of music captures the free-styling of a real American Hoedown. The fourth movement is titled “JFK” after the painters famous portrait of President Kennedy. This section has been scored for brass only. The music is both regal and tragic. There is a constant feeling of foreboding and sadness. The final movement is titled “The Final Impossibility.” This painting depicts the fist moon landing. For a generation of Americans this event represents the crowning achievement in human exploration. Although our generation has accepted the fact that man travels in space, this was a monumental and impossible task for a great many. The movement takes you from the launch, through the journey to the moon, to the landing, and back home again.

Full Score    $25.00   

Full Set    $150.00