The levels of difficulty are from 1 (easy) to 5 (difficult). Each piece bears a number. A title bearing an asterisk indicates that a recording is available upon request.
SASQUATCH (2-2-2-2 / 4-2-3-1 / timp.-perc. / strings) is a piece for young or adult orchestral players. It is not programmatic music, but a little imagination can tempt the listener to envision Bigfoot marching to the scene of a conflict. The "conflict" section is devoted to mixed modes and exciting rhythms. A touring version with different instrumentation is also available. The harmonic language is contemporary and uses much quartal harmony. The duration of the piece is about five minutes. #3
*PRELUDE AND A DORIAN DANCE (2-2-2-2 / 4-2-3-1 / timp.-perc. / strings) was written for the Blue Lake Youth Orchestra of Three Lakes, Michigan. It has enjoyed many performances, both in Europe and in the United States. As the title suggests, there are two sections, the first one in a melancholy mood and the second in a modal dance in triple-simple rhythm. The harmonic language is traditional. The duration of the piece is about five minutes. #2
*PASSACAGLIA FOR ORCHESTRA (2-2-2-2 / 4-2-3-1 / timp.-perc. / strings) is a very melodic and rhythmic work that would afford a challenge to both youth and adult orchestras. It was premiered by the Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra and was broadcast over radio. It has enjoyed several performances since then. The harmonic language is devoted to the 12 tone serial technique. The duration of the piece is about six minutes. #4
*THE FIDDLER’S FARE (picc.-2-2-E.H.-2-Bass Cl.-2 / 4-3-3-1 / timp.-perc. / strings) was written for the Blue Lake Youth Orchestra of Three Lakes, Michigan, and was taken on the annual European tour. It was also performed several times in America. A violinist who can "fiddle" is necessary for this piece which contains both original and borrowed melodies. Two of the arranged pieces are "All the Good Times Are Past and Gone," and "The Orange Blossom Special." The harmonic language is traditional. The duration of the piece is about four to five minutes. #2+
CONCERTO for PERCUSSION and ORCHESTRA (2-2-E.H.-2-2 / 4-3-3-1 / timp.-perc. five players / strings) has a structure of fast, slow, fast for its three movements. Each movement may stand alone as an entity even though all movements are related compositionally. A good college orchestra can play movement One. Movement Two is suitable for a good high school orchestra. Movement Three requires some virtuosity from the performers and will take careful preparation. Each of the three entities has won an award for composition, however, there has never been a premiere of the entire work! It is written in serial counterpoint and contemporary in nature. The duration of the piece is about fifteen minutes. #5, overall.
LA RONDE DES LUTINS (The Round of the Goblins) Antonio Bazzini (1818-1897) is a piece for a virtuoso violinist that is arranged for string orchestra. The solo violin is accompanied by an orchestra playing easy string parts at a fast pace. This 5.5 minute piece is an audience favorite. It is a perfect work with which to end a concert. It is a "scherzo fantastique"! and absolutely fascinating to hear. (#5 for the solo); #2 for the orchestra.
PRELUDE AND SARABANDE is for
string orchestra. It was written because of the tragic and unexpected
death of a young lady. It is a memorial to a young life that was lost.
The Prelude could bear the subtitle, "anguish" while the Sarabande
could have been called, "eternal peace." The effect of the entire work
is pensive and beautiful. The harmonic language is contemporary and
uses added tone and quartal harmony to some extent. The duration of the
piece is about four to five minutes.
THE BIRD, FROG and TREE CLUB (orchestra
and chorale OR choir and piano) Also see this described in
"instrumental works."
This piece was commissioned by Maestro Paul Stanbery and the
Hamilton/Fairfield Symphony and Chorale to be premiered in 2006.
Wallace
De Pue was given the honor to have a whole concert of his orhestral and
choral works presented on the American Masters Concert Series.
THE SENSIBLE BIRD
Movement I, “The Sensible Bird” is for a soprano
soloist who
plays the role of a bird who tries to discuss how mankind can improve
in his relationship to nature. The mood of this movement is
lyrical
and lovely. Solo vocal range: F1-a2. MEDIUM to DIFFICULT.
The chorus ranges: soprano, D1-f#2; alto, a-d2; tenor, b-G1; bass,
F#-D1 (15:30) MEDIUM
Look up, Mankind!
I am the brightly colored bird
soaring far above you.
Not to make holes in the dense,
white forms
protecting the firmament,
do I fly so high;
I need to rise above those blinding obstacles;
while I search for heaven’s gate.
As I disappear from your sight,
I see faces,
watching me from below.
They may be spirits, disguised as clouds,
who have been seeking heaven’s gate
for ages.
They watch with envy.
Some stare up at me,
while others,
distraught,
show me only their silhouettes.
Some appear to be looking down at you,
hoping that you will also rise above your obstacles?
You have thoughts that can locate heaven’s gate. You can fly much
higher than I
by using your mind.
At such altitude,
I am too cold to continue my search.
No mere bird can bridge the invisible wall
that guards the dwelling place of souls.
Only psalms of praise can do that.
You can sing psalms!
See the way I flit in-and-out
of the lacy clouds,
leaving little trails of white mist?
Beautiful sights were created for your eyes.
Observe my striking colors,
then look around you at trees,
flowers and waterfalls.
Because you may not see my brightly colored wings,
I will descend to the top of a nearby tree. Now, you can
watch my colors flash
and know that I, too, am a gift for you to see.
_____________
The gift of song has been given to birds.
Listen to me sing!
God does..
His eye may be on the sparrow,
but He prefers to hear me sing.
Would you be more entertained
by the voice of a crow?
Would the voices behind heaven’s gate
sing music such as yours?
Have you ever heard the soothing music of a harp
play a song of peace?
If every morning,
each man would greet his neighbor
with a note for him to match,
the world would be filled with such harmony
as to make the clouds seek heaven’s gate
on Earth.
Music has no purpose
except to make every day of your life more beautiful.
Without arms,
one cannot touch another’s hand.
Without beautiful music,
how can one touch another’s soul?
To practice singing as I do,
listen to silence,
then respond with melody.______________________________
If I could be your friend,
we could learn wonderful things together.
May I come and perch on your shoulder?
Would you harm a fragile creature such as I?
If I would dare to light on your shoulder, would you stroke my shining
feathers gently,
or would you use them to decorate your hat?
Fear is a great blessing for little creatures;
it prevents the lamb from lying down with the lion,
and prevents birds from making similar mistakes.
You can move other beings with love;
it is a blessed way to feel
without touching.
The greatest love in the universe
lives behind heaven’s gate
__________________________
Mankind,
because of your sense of smell,
does a fresh,
hot apple pie,
warming
in an open windowsill,
speak to you?
You say that one’s nose cannot speak!
Of all of the features on your face,
your nose speaks most loudly!
It leads wherever you go!
You rely on it for direction or discovery.
Because of scent,
the blind see more than the sighted.
If your sense of smell were lost,
You couldn’t taste an apple pie.
If your home were surrounded by roses,
the thorns would have the same aroma as the flowers.
After a heavy rain,
you can enjoy the pleasure of inhaling freshness
to have your spirit renewed.
The air you breathe comes from behind heaven’s gate.
Smell the gift of life!
It is everywhere…
and it belongs to you!
____________________________________
What a miracle taste is!
Taste can inspire the imagination.
The very thought of it
can lead one to heavy decisions.
If given the choice,
what would be your final menu?
How would you decide?
On Monday, your fare might be selected,
but on Tuesday,
you may fancy something else!
Taste,
like all else on our planet,
Is always changing!
Without change,
nothing can be new.
Behind heaven’s gate
there is manna,
the food of angles.
There we will learn what a miracle taste is.
…and much, much more.
____________________
THE FRIENDLY FROG
Movement 2, “The Friendly Frog” is about a frog’s
daily
challenges as a member of a swamp community. Through all of
the
frog’s trials, he sings about the joy of life. This movement is
quite
rhythmic and full of sound affects and tone clusters. There are
eight
parts that divide.. Pitches are secondary in importance to
effect.
Vocal ranges are: soprano,: E1-a2: alto, g-d2; tenor, e-G#1; Bass, E-D1
(8:00) MEDIUM to DIFFICULT
Frog.
Man’s best friend is a frog,
not a dog.
Ask any little boy.
Women’s best friend is a dog,
not a frog.
Ask any little girl.
A frog doesn’t have a friend,
but he is a friend to every living thing!
As I sit on my lily pad,
Snake calls to me:
“Sssit ssstill, my friend,
I’ll beee right there.”
Big Fish,
below me,
looks up,
with huge round eyes,
and gurgles:
“Come! Come! Come!”
as if he wants to play a game with me
in the water.
He only plays “Hide and Seek.”
As Snake glides toward me
on top of the pond,
and Fish darts excitedly
beneath my seat,
I leap high above my problems
only to see Bird diving towards me
as I am in the air!
When I land on the beach,
I am full of joy!
Ah, for a new chance to start over!
Ooops!
Here comes Lizard!
If I leap,
there is Bird;
if I swim,
there is Fish;
if I skim,
there is Snake!
Mankind,
you think you have troubles!
There are more frogs
than any other creatures on land.
Every day,
all over the world,
we join in chorus
to sing the glorious “Song of Life”!
THE SERVANT TREE
Movement 3, “The Servant Tree” allows a tree to describe itself as
the earth’s guardian of life and beauty, sent here by the Creator to
enable mankind to breathe. His/her voice is heard in the sounds
of
whispering breezes, rustling leaves and stark, firm sound structures.
Vocal ranges: soprano, F1-a2; also, g#-d2; tenor, d-G1; bass, a-D1
(10:36) MEDIUM
Mankind,
your Creator sent me here to serve you.
In the morning,
I brush the skies to clear your air.
I house a chorus of songbirds
who start your day with music.
At noontime,
I cool your streets
and shield you from the blazing sun.
My branches provide you with fruit and nuts.
In the evening,
I hide your homes from prying eyes
and guard your estate from vicious winds.
My roots trap raindrops,
hold your soil,
and protect your crops.
In summer,
I repel harmful sunbeams
and keep you safe.
In winter,
your eyes are thrilled by my crystal branches
bathed in ice and light.
In Fall,
my leaves provide you with individual works of art,
each one,
different from any other.
And in Spring,
I am the first to prove that life is never lost;
it simply awaits new birth.
Just as frozen icicles become fresh water
in the warm air,
living souls
become spirits at heaven’s gate.
If you listen to the rustling of my branches
as I inhale a breeze,
you will hear me join the chorus of trees
in a song of praise for the gift of life.