For Those Taken Too Soon

(Symphony No. 1)

for those taken too soon... is a single-movement symphony was written in memory of one of the composer's dear band director friends. Based on the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul," the five seamless sections of the piece represent the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Powerful!

Program Notes

for those taken too soon... (Symphony No.1) is composed in memory of Dennis Kusy. He was an inspiring conductor, a passionate band director and educator, and one of the most gifted musicians I have ever known. He was also my best friend. He was twenty-four years old when he was killed in a car accident on November 10, 2000.

The piece is composed of five seamless sections representative of the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The key structure is descending thirds, which starts in Eb minor, arrives in Bb major at the climax, then shifts up to D major ("D" for Dennis) at the coda. The melodic basis of the piece is the hymn "It is Well With My Soul," although it is never stated outright until the climax. It is a tune which Dennis first encountered in David Holsinger's On A Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, and used to have me play on the piano for him whenever we were together.

- Kimberly K. Archer

Grade Level: 5
Copyright: 2002
Number of Players: Standard
Duration: 20:00
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Concert Band

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Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2/3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Offstage Bb Trumpet
Bb Trumpet 1 (minimum 2 players)
Bb Trumpet 2/3
Horn 1/2
Horn 3/4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2/3
Euphonium
Tuba

Double Bass

Piano (doubles on suspended cymbal, tam-tam)
Timpani
Mallet 1 (marimba, 4 tom-toms, vibraphone, suspended cymbal, bells)
Mallet 2 (chimes, vibraphone, marimba, crotales, bass drum)
Percussion (tam-tam, suspended cymbal, bass drum, triangle, snare drum, crash cymbals)