Proud and Immortal (score only) David R. Gillingham

Band
Number of Players:Standard
Copyright:2002
Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
English Horn
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon 1/2
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
Horn 1/2
Horn 3/4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1 (crotales, bells)
Percussion 2 (vibraphone, xylophone)
Percussion 3 (marimba)
Percussion 4 (3 tom-toms, bass drum, tam-tam)
Proud and Immortal is a musical memorial for the members of the Oklahoma State University Basketball Program killed in the plane crash of January 27, 2001. The work is based almost exclusively on the Oklahoma State University Alma Mater Hymn (Robert McCulloh, 1949). The work opens in an elegaic mood which is punctuated by repeated groups of five articulations of open fifths in the piano. Underscoring these sorrowful articulations are motives in the low woodwinds and horns alluding to the first four notes of the Alma Mater Hymn. A distant muted trumpet enters with a reflective theme and the work segues into a rather dignified and dark march utilizing, again, the first four notes of the Alma Mater Hymn, the muted trumpet motive, and articulations by the timpani, tom-toms and bass drum. All of this, of course, acknowledges the deep loss and sadness felt by the Oklahoma State University community, the country, and the world. The march grows in intensity and the piano again is heard with its characteristic five articulations, but this time in more hopeful surroundings. Under a soft timpani roll, the muted trumpet again enters with a motive suggesting a prayerful reflection. As the trumpet statement continues, the saxophones expressively render the Lama Mater Hymn in stately augmentation. The texture thickens for the final eight bars of the hymn, with the flute playing a lyrical obligato. The English horn echoes the muted trumpet at the end of the hymn and the euphonium engaged in dramatic countermelody. There is yet another modulation into Bb major with the oboe on the melody and the flute and euphonium on countermelodies. Through these statements of the hymn in various keys and orchestral colors, I have humbly and respectfully tried to reflect upon the precious lives of the young athletes and how they have touched the Oklahoma State University community. The mood becomes celebratory with another modulation, this time in D major. The brass toss around fanfare motives derived from the original elegiac articulations in the piano. The fanfare moves to the key of Bb major and the Alma Mater is now majestically stated by the horns and trumpets and the section modulates back to G major, with a fermata in the middle of the last line of the hymn. Following a grand pause, the last three notes of the hymn are stated by the horns and low brass.
- David R. GIllingham