Spring Forward
Commissioned by the Springboro Wind Symphony for its 2024 performance at The Midwest Clinic
Timothy Mahr 2024
Spring Forward
I nstrumentation
C Piccolo
C Flute 1, 2
Oboe 1, 2
B flat Clarinet 1, 2, 3
B flat Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
B flat Soprano Saxophone
E flat Alto Saxophone
B flat Tenor Saxophone
E flat Baritone Saxophone
B flat Trumpet 1, 2, 3
F Horn 1, 2, 3, 4
Trombones 1, 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano (slightly amplified)
Percussion Distribution (6 performers):
Timpani
Mallets 1
[orchestra bells, xylophone, bowed crotale, chimes (shared), vibraphone (shared)]
Mallets 2
[chimes (shared), vibraphone (shared), marimba, 2 croquet balls]
Percussion 1
[tam-tam, crash cymbals, suspended cymbal (shared), bar chimes]
Percussion 2
[two performers]
[4 tom-toms, bass drum, suspended cymbal (shared), snare drum, ribbon crasher, triangle]
] Duration: c. 4:30
Program Note:
Receiving a commission from a superior civic ensemble such as the Springboro Wind Symphony to compose a spirited opening work for a premiere performance at The Midwest Clinic is a fantastic opportunity and certainly a high honor. In my initial discussions with conductor Josh Baker, I found out that Springboro, Ohio was founded near natural springs. All sorts of images came to mind tied to the use of the word "spring" that meshed well with the general goals of a concert opener. Various sections of music developed from thinking about these situations and states of energy, and the work has section headings as follows:
The Promise of Spring Spring to Life Spring into Action Spring Water Spring to Mind
Spring Wound Tight Spring in Your Step
The Promise of Spring Spring Forward (spring chicken?)
This is not a programmatic work; rather, it’s a collection of materials that developed from a few basic progressions, rhythmic impulses and melodic ideas, all influenced by the notion of “spring” in its many forms.
SpringForward was commissioned by the Springboro Wind Symphony for its 2024 performance at The Midwest Clinic. The premiere was led by conductor Josh Baker on December 18, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
