Shut Out
A commission consortium for an 8-minute Grade 4 Wind Band piece about being a disabled person who doesn't quite fit into society.
Published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company
Lead by:
Dr. Stephen Meyer, Director of Bands at Northern Arizona University
Dr. Amy J. Bovin, for her mother's 75th birthday
Yale Concert Band (Brian Coffill, guest cond.)
Instrumentation: standard band- parts in () are optional
Piccolo, Flutes 1-2, (Oboe), (English Horn), Bassoons 1-(2), Clarinets 1-3, Bass Clarinet, (Contra-alto Clarinet with Contrabass part provided), Alto Sax 1-2, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Trumpets 1-3, (Flugelhorn), Horns 1-2, Trombone 1-2, Bass Trombone (playable as 3rd trombone), Euphonium, Tuba, Timpani, and three percussionists: Snare Drum/Vibraphone, Tom-tom/Ttriangle, Bass drum/suspended cymbal
Shut Out, is a Grade 4 (ish...) piece about being a disabled person and being “Shut Out” of society. This is by no means an exclusive experience to disabled people but is rather a message through this lens. The piece uses a repeating rhythmic structure (that represents society), with melodic lines above and around it which do not always fit in (representing disabled people). The repeating structure and the melodic material are constantly at odds, with the melody never quite being able to fit in until the third section. This is when I give a glimpse into what it could be like for many people, including disabled people, if society were more kind and inclusive to everyone and if we could put in the work to make that happen. I started this consortium because I am really passionate about this message, and think that it would be awesome to use my voice to bring attention to this day-to-day life for many.