Sun Dance- Frank Ticheli

• Well known in the concert band world, many pieces considered standards in the repertoire
• Guest conductor at Carnegie Hall, many universities, and cities around the world (Beijing, London, Singapore, Rome, Sydney, many cities in Japan)

Teaching Elements

• Theme D is another lyrical theme.
• Introduced much later, after the exposition
• It incorporates elements from other themes
• Based on motive y with accompaniment resembling motive x and Theme B

• town bands
• before school bands
• Sousa
• gain greater understanding of piece

History

Stylistic Elements

Analysis

• Style marking in music
• Emphasize differences between lyrical and dances sections
• Isolate examples in music
• Separate lyrical melody and rhythmic accompaniment parts

Themes:

• Theme C is more rhythmic and dancelike than a and b.
• Polymetric texture- upper parts constructed in 4/4 + 3/4 and bass line constructed in 3/4
• Variation occurs later with a polymodal tonal structure (Major-minor)

• Sun Dance is divided into 4 different themes.

• Two different meters happening at the same time
• Clapping exercises
• Isolate parts

• Presence of two tonal centers- modes
• Demonstrate by playing modes
• Isolate parts in piece

Polymeter

Form:

• Balance under soloists
• Smooth transfers
• Cantabile sections
• Contrasting sections- not muddy
• Dynamics

Polymodality

• Structure occurred naturally
• Tonal structure resulted in a perfect arch form
• Broken down into 5 sections: Exposition, Development I, New Theme, Development II, Recapitulation

Theme B is a simple lyrical phrase built off of motive x.

• Instrumentation needs (oboes, bassoon, horns)
• Conversational
• Independence in parts

Other Concerns:

• The main theme, Theme A, establishes the lyrical nature and mixolydian tonality.
• Consists of two rhythmic motives, "motive x" and "motive y", which are incorporated into the other themes.

Historical Context

Composer Biography

• Sun Dance was commissioned by the Austin Independent School District for the Silver Anniversary Celebration of the 25th Annual All-City Band Festival, on March 18, 1997

• Born 1958 in Monroe, Louisiana
• Doctoral and masters degrees in Composition from University of Michigan
• Professor of composition at University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music since 1991
• His works are published by Manhattan Beach, Southern, Hinshaw, and Encore Music, and are recorded on the labels of Albany, Chandos, Clarion, Klavier, Koch International, Mark and Naxos.

• No historical basis
• Evokes feeling of "bright joy"

• His orchestral works received recognition in US and Europe
• His compositions have been widely performed by orchestras from all around the world (Philadelphia, Dallas, American Composer's Orchestra, Radio orchestras in Germany and Austria, Colorado, Hong Kong, Jacksonville, and Nashville)
• Composer in Residence for the Pacific Symphony from 1991-1998

• Depicts a town festival

• Songlike and Dancelike components

• Received the 2012 Arts and Letters Award from the National Academy of Arts and Letters (3rd award)
• Compositions have won awards at numerous competitions
• Awarded honorary membership to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
• A. Austin Harding Award by the American School Band Directors Association, "given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the school band movement in America."

Resources:

• http://www.manhattanbeachmusiconline.com/frank_ticheli/biolocal.html
• http://www.usc.edu/schools/music/private/faculty/ticheli.php
• http://www.windrep.org/Frank_Ticheli
• http://www.k-state.edu/musiceducation/teachingunits/SunDance/Sundance_student_guide.htm
• Program Notes by Frank Ticheli