PERUSALSCORE
Poem of Defiance
for wind ensemble
PERUSALSCORE
Damien Geter 2025
Program Note
Poem of Defiance is a musical portrayal of tenacity, resilience, and unwavering strength in the face of adversity. The driving, powerful energy of the piece embodies the courage to confront and overcome life’s obstacles. There’s a heroic quality throughout — evoking the spirit of a champion within us all, one who faces fear, challenges injustice, and stands firm for what is right. The piece should be performed with a strong marcato articulation throughout, maintaining a sense of determination even in the slower, more lyrical sections, which should still be played with conviction and purpose.
Poem of Defiance
Text by Damien Geter
Stand tall like the mighty, mighty Sycamore. Don’t bend, don’t break.
Plant yourself firmly anchored by the roots cemented by billions and billions of tiny particles of muck.
Stand tall, and stand firm so that the pabulum is not confused when it travels up from the underground pipes through your florid veins to the topmost, tenderest twig so that when the storms come, the wind has to ask permission to pass. So when the weather breaks, let the world see - that even the twig remains.
Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1-2
Oboe
Clarinet 1-3
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Alto Saxophone 1-2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet 1-3
Horn 1-2
Trombone 1-3
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion 1: Chimes
Percussion 2: Vibraphone, Xylophone Percussion 3: Clash Cymbal, Tam-Tam
Percussion 4: Snare Drum
Percussion 5: Bass Drum
Percussion 6: Toms
PERUSALSCORE
The composer gratefully acknowledges for their support: Indiana State University Wind Orchestra Dr. Eric Scott, conductor and project director world premiere, October 22, 2025
Dedicated to Dennis Zeisler
Duration: 5 minutes
First printing of this edition, September 2025 Copyright © 2025 Damien Geter. All Rights Reserved.