Rise to the Occasion

Instrumentation:

2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, 3 Percussion, Harp, Strings

Percussion 1: Glockenspiel, Vibraphone
Percussion 2: Triangle, Suspended/Crash Cymbal
Percussion 3: Bass Drum, Tam-tam

Program Notes

When one “Rises to the Occasion”, they face a challenge right on and overcome it successfully, doing good work in the process. This is a piece that is both celebratory and festive, yet thoughtful and occasionally introspective. The jovial mood is established from the start, and it finds its way through these different moods in order to maintain that feeling. The piece is, in a sense, rising to the challenge of keeping the musical material fresh throughout.

It is dedicated with gratitude to Richard Giangiulio, music director of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, who I had the honor of apprenticing under as a conductor during 2019-2020 and who is a great example of someone who rose to the occasion with his successful building of the youth orchestra and inspiring of many generations of musicians. “Mr. G” (as he is affectionately called by his students) likes to refer to himself as a “music educator with a baton”, but the quality of work he has done shows him to be more than that; I personally refer to him as one of the best teachers anyone could ask for.

-Quinn Mason

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Subsequent performances:

• Manhattan School of Music Philharmonia; George Manahan conducting  - September 22, 2022
• Springfield Symphony Orchestra; Kevin Scott conducting  - January 14, 2023
• Chattanooga Symphony and Chattanooga Youth Orchestra; Ismael Sandoval conducting - February 27, 2023
• Maryland Symphony Orchestra; Elizabeth Schulze conducting - July 1, 2023
• Portland Symphony Orchestra; Conner Gray Covington conducting - January 21, 2024
• WorldStrides National Youth Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Jason Noble conducting - February 10, 2024 (Carnegie Hall Debut)
• Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra; Paula A. Ulicsni Halvorson conducting - April. 26, 2025
• Holyoke Civic Symphony; David Kidwell conducting - May 4, 2025