For Those Taken Too Soon Kimberly Archer

(Symphony No. 1)
Band
Number of Players:Standard
Copyright:2002
Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2/3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Offstage Bb Trumpet
Bb Trumpet 1 (minimum 2 players)
Bb Trumpet 2/3
Horn 1/2
Horn 3/4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2/3
Euphonium
Tuba
Double Bass
Piano (doubles on suspended cymbal, tam-tam)
Timpani
Mallet 1 (marimba, 4 tom-toms, vibraphone, suspended cymbal, bells)
Mallet 2 (chimes, vibraphone, marimba, crotales, bass drum)
Percussion (tam-tam, suspended cymbal, bass drum, triangle, snare drum, crash cymbals)
for those taken too soon ... (Symphony No.1) is composed in memory of Dennis Kusy. He was an inspiring conductor, a passionate band director and educator, and one of the most gifted musicians I have ever known. He was also my best friend. He was twenty-four years old when he was killed in a car accident on November 10, 2000.

The piece is composed of five seamless sections representative of the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The key structure is descending thirds, which starts in Eb minor, arrives in Bb major at the climax, then shifts up to D major ("D" for Dennis) at the coda. The melodic basis of the piece is the hymn "It is Well With My Soul," although it is never stated outright until the climax. It is a tune which Dennis first encountered in David Holsinger's On A Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, and used to have me play on the piano for him whenever we were together.
- Kimberly K. Archer