Michael Daugherty: Vulcan: Blasorchester

(2014) Vulcan for Concert Band is Grammy award winning composer Michael Daugherty's first work for the high school and intermediate level college band. The work is a colorful homage to Gene Roddenberry's interstellar universe as depicted in the classic American television series Star Trek (1966-69). The title refers to the fiery planet Vulcan, home world of half-human, half-Vulcan Mr. Spock. As the rational-minded science officer aboard the starship Enterprise (commanded by the hot-blooded Captain James T. Kirk), Mr. Spock grapples with the fascinating predicament of making decisions predicated on human emotion versus Vulcan logic. Daugherty has composed stirring, yet highly structured music that alludes to the Vulcan Pon Farr ritual, Vulcan telepathic mind-melds, and the volcanic planet itself. At the the Ann Arbor, Michigan world premiere (utilizing the combined forces of the Pioneer, Huron and Skyline High School bands), Vulcan was an immediate hit and will surely become one of Daugherty's most performed works. Instrumentation The number of players doubling each part is at the conductor's discretion, but should be in keeping with a balanced sound. Piccolo 2 Flutes 2 Oboes English Horn (optional but recommended) 3 Bb Clarinets (minimum 2 players per part) 2 Bb Bass Clarinets Eb Contralto Clarinet or Bb Contrabass Clarinet and Bb Bass Saxophone (optional but recommended) 2 Bassoons 2 Eb Alto Saxophones Bb Tenor Saxophone Eb Baritone Saxophone 3 Bb Trumpets (straight metal mutes, harmon mutes-stem out) 2 F Horns 2 Trombones (straight metal mutes) Euphonium 2 Tubas Contrabass or Electric Bass (optional but recommended) Timpani (4 drums recommended) Percussion (instruments are not shared): 1. Glockenspiel, Xylophone 2. Vibraphone, Small Anvil (metal beater) 3. Shakaray, Marimba, Chimes, Suspended Cymbal (yarn mallets) 4. Two Tam-Tams (small, medium), Tambourine, Mark Tree, Finger Cymbals, Vibraslap, Piccolo Snare Drum 5. Tenor Drum, Maracas, Snare Drum 6. Large Bass Drum Movement I (YouTube) Movement II (YouTube) Movement III (YouTube)