Silver Accolade (score only) David R. Gillingham

Band
Number of Players:Standard
Copyright:2004
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon 1/2
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2/3
Bass Clarinet
Eb Contrabass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
Horn in F 1/2
Horn in F 3/4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Baritone B.C.
Euphonium
Tuba
Silver Accolade was commissioned by the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin) in honor of Ray C. Wifler's 25 anniversary as Music Director. Over the past 25 years under the expert baton of Dr. Wifler, this fine ensemble has been delighting audiences and earning the reputation as one of the finest community bands in the country.
Silver Accolade can be described as a "fanfare, chorale and variations". The work begins in declamatory style with fanfare motives in the brass and cascading woodwinds. The horns project profound statements against all the rhythmic activity and the section closes, as it began, in Bb-major with the horns soaring above the ensemble on a motive, which anticipates the chorale theme. The chorale, stated by the horns and low brass is dignified and stately, reflecting the monumental accomplishment of Maestro Wifler over the past 25 years in molding the ensemble into a first rate community band. Ensuing, are three variations utilizing the chorale theme. Variation 1 states the chorale in broken style by the trumpets against a scale-like 16 pattern played by the bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone and euphonium. The variation is light in mood and reflects the best of times of this band and its director. A transition, which uses the horn motive from the fanfare, leads to the second variation. Variation 2 is a fugal exposition in G-minor set whose subject is the head of the chorale theme. More somber in nature, this variation represents the challenges that the band has faced over the past 25 years. The fugue leads to a short transition, which begins, with a short, glorious statement of the chorale motive by the brass in A-Major, which modulates to C-Major. Variation 3 follows with an ornamented version of the chorale by shimmering woodwinds. Like Variation 1, the mood is uplifting and positive. This mood is interrupted, however, by a transitional interlude characterized by a driving brass rhythm with clanging brake drums against the chorale theme in minor--a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. The rhythmic and textural activity increases and leads to a statement of the chorale in full glory indicative of all the joy and musical magic generated from the baton of Ray Wifler and through the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band. A coda brings back the opening motives of the work and culminates in grandiose splendor.
David R. Gillingham
September 10, 2003