This month’s concert band reviews are a tribute to the memory of Charles Carter (1926-1999) who leaves behind a long legacy of excellence to the concert band medium. Carter earned a Bachelors degree from Ohio State University and a Masters degree in composition from the Eastman School of Music before returning to Columbus to teach low brass and arrange for the nationally renown Ohio State University Marching Band. He later served as professor of theory and harmony at Florida State University before retiring in 1996 after 43 years of teaching, composing, and arranging.

CHACONNE FOR WINDS - (Duration 4:30) By Charles Carter

Published by Ludwig Music (SBS-406): 2000

Level: Grade 2

“Chaconne for Winds” is modern in melodic material and contrapuntal complexity while written in the shadow of the traditional chaconne. The eight bar chaconne theme is stated eight times (72 mea) and followed by a transitional area, two statements of the theme in inversion (24 mea), and completed by the return of the original theme as a coda (20mea). The contrapuntal construction is beautifully crafted within the instrument ranges of a grade two piece to provide a serious level of individual responsibility for the musician. The theme is often delicately scored which will require greater attention to instrument balance. A highly independent saxophone choir and tasteful string bass parts are also examples of the amount of ensemble awareness necessary to successfully perform the work. Percussion parts include bells, timpani, snare drum, bass drum, suspended cymbal, and crash cymbal (4 players to cover all parts). Don’t let the grade level fool you; “Chaconne for Winds” is a worthwhile teaching tool at both the middle school and high school level.

SERENADE FOR SYMPHONIC BAND - (Duration 3:00) By Charles Carter

Published by Ludwig Music (SBS-407): 2000

Level: Grade 1.5

This three-part work uses more homophonic voice groupings and full band scoring compared to the “Chaconne for Winds” with the greatest amount of independence evident in the middle legato section. The overall A-B-A form is organized as: A section (42 mea, Moderato 3/4 time), B section (40 mea, Allegro 2/4 time) and the recapitulation A section coda (14 mea, Moderato 3/4 time). Like the “Chaconne for Winds”, the entire work is also pitched in concert Bflat major. Percussion parts are simply scored to include bells, chimes, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, and crash cymbal (2 players to cover all parts). Carefully attention is needed to correctly perform the overlapping phrase structures in the legato sections of the work. Low brass and low woodwinds, saxophones and horns, and trumpet and high woodwinds are typical of the voice groupings.

SONG FOR WINDS - (Duration 2:45) By Charles Carter

Published by Daehn Publications: 1999

Level: Grade 1.5

The shortest (54 mea) Carter’s last contributions was dedicated to the Elizabeth Cobb Middle School Band of Tallahassee, Florida: J. William Miller, Director. This is a true beginning band work scored for flute/oboe, clarinet I/II, alto sax, trumpet I/II, horn/tenor sax, low brass, and percussion (bells, snare drum, bass drum, suspended cymbal, and crash cymbal). It also is exactly the type of compositional vehicle which makes these works by Carter stand out among so many beginning and medium level concert band compositions for: 1.) Excellent phrase structures and song-like melodies that make wonderful teaching material; 2.) Classical ideals of melodic and harmonic contrary motion in the melodic and harmonic lines that young musicians need to understand before learning other works; 3.) Orchestration that strives to still create variety even within an elementary level work such as “Song for Winds”.

The strengths of his melodic and harmonic construction are just as evident in “Song for Winds” which is why this work, much like the “Chaconne for Winds” and his “Serenade for Symphonic Band”, are such successful new additions to the world of elementary and middle school concert band works. Other works by Charles Carter include Overture for Winds, Symphonic Overture, Symphonic Sketches, Praise Variations, Overture in Classical Style, and Polyphonic Suite.