Valor, Op. 109 Chamber Music - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1158392

“Valor” offers a potent two-minute concert opener, or an attention grabber after intermission. It is also highly effective as an encore (depending on endurance, particularly of the first trumpeter and hornist), leaving the audience with a rush and energy typified by an effective encore. Besides some minor edits and formatting, the composition was completed the day I hit my ten-year anniversary of serving in the United States Air Force Bands—a fitting anthem to celebrate a decade of service to my wonderful country! The title settled the next day as I began my second decade as an Airman Musician: Valor. The best account is recorded in my personal journal on 27 April 2021: “[Valor] is the Thrower family motto from hundreds of years ago. It’s also a concept that helped get me into [Arizona State University] for my doctoral studies. [Professor] Hickman asked for a very difficult orchestral excerpt during my audition. [Béla Bartók’s “Concerto for Orchestra.”] I expressed some trepidation, but decided to give it a shot. I nailed it! Then Hickman turned to me with a big smile, ‘I give extra points for valor!’ So I’m pretty sure this little two-minute musical journal entry will keep the name ‘Valor’… as a motivational cheer for my next ten years in the Air Force. Valor! Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. Ok, in the face of life’s many battles, Valor it is! And on to the next ten years!” The music is in AA’BA’ form. The B section is heavily influenced by the thematic material of the A section, but with a strongly contrasting mood that could be dubbed quiet dignity. A finale section follows the last A with some motivic twists from throughout the piece, decisively ending with a power that could well be accompanied by a dazzling flurry of fireworks. None of the performers get much of a reprieve throughout the two minutes packed full of notes. The first trumpet part stays in the upper mid-range for most of it, which would absolutely sparkle on an E-flat trumpet (alternate part provided). Second trumpet is also demanding. The horn part demands a decent level of mastery in the high range as well as the low range, vehemently forsaking its traditional role of off beats. The trombone and tuba parts also present their challenges, and never really stop longer than to take a breath. Although this work could conceivably be performed without percussion, doing so is strongly discouraged. The power delivered by the snare, bass, and cymbals, and even the triangle in the B section, make the part arguably indispensable.