COMMISSION CONSORTIUM

ABOUT THE COMMISSION

In the fall semester of 2021, trombonist Jett Walker and composer Jack Wilds joined forces to create a brand new piece of music that would feature solo trombone with brass quartet accompaniment. With the help of student and professional trombonists from around the country, a consortium was formed to commission the piece. The work was premiered on March 10, 2022 by the CCM Graduate Brass Quintet and soloist Jett Walker. The same performers traveled to Texas State University to perform the piece as the finale to Jack Wild’s faculty composition recital. Consortium members retain exclusive performance rights until May 2023, after which it can be purchased through Jack Wilds. Stay tuned for details!

ABOUT THE COMPOSER

Jack Wilds is a composer and educator whose works have brought him into collaboration with musicians aged 5-95. Ranging from children's choirs to collegiate wind ensembles and professional chamber groups, Jack's music draws on visual art, philosophical and religious texts, poetry, and absolute musical influences to create vibrant works that meet performers where they are while inspiring authentic, artistic music making.

His chamber music has been performed by the Attacca Quartet, the University of Texas New Music Ensemble, the Austin Saxophone Ensemble, and members of the New York Philharmonic and the Atlanta Symphony. His works have also been featured at international festivals and composition workshops including The International Trombone Festival, the Slider Asia Clinic in Hong Kong, The International Horn Symposium, New Music on the Bayou and New Music in the Mountains.

A former public school band director, Jack's works for wind ensemble and choir include over 40 publications for developing musicians. His works for wind band are regularly featured on required repertoire lists for festivals on multiple continents and have been performed at the Midwest Clinic and at educator conferences across the United States.

Jack serves as a lecturer at Texas State University, where he teaches composition, music theory, ear training, and music technology courses. He is also the Co-Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos, a position he has held for 13 years and is privileged to share with his wife Noel. He is an active clinician and adjudicator with regular engagements countrywide.

He has studied composition with Michael Ippolito at Texas State, and Chris Trapani and Donald Grantham at the University of Texas.

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CONSORTIUM MEMBERS

  • Jett Walker, Lead Commissioner

  • Jonathan Tang, University of North Texas

  • Cynthia I. Gonzales, Texas State University

  • Noel A. Freeman, Houston Community College

  • Mark Babbitt, Illinois State University

  • Drew Leslie, Colorado State University

  • Russ Zokaites, Morehead State University

  • Louis Setzer, Northern Kentucky University

  • Gretchen McNamara, Wright State University

  • Megan Boutin, Murray State University

  • Bradley Palmer, Columbus State University

  • Dalton Hooper, University of Georgia

  • Kenneth Johnson, Brass Institutes of Virginia

  • Dandrick Glenn, UNC Greensboro

  • Daniel J. Cosio, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

  • William Combs, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band

  • Arie VandeWaa, University of South Alabama

  • David Wilborn, Texas A&M University

  • Kevin Dugat, Boston University

  • Bruce D. Hall, Sam Houston State University

  • Jordan Harris, University of South Florida

  • Martin McCain, Texas State University

  • Austin Motley, Ouachita Baptist University

ABOUT THE PIECE

Sonata for Trombone and Brass Quartet by Jack Wilds

For tenor trombone soloist, two trumpets, horn and tuba

ca. 11 minutes

Program Notes:

This piece is for tenor trombone soloist within a brass quintet. It is divided into three movements, held together by a single motivic fragment that runs through the entire work. The first movement is brisk and explores some of the dynamic extremes the ensemble is capable of. The tonal material is derived from a non-repeating scale.

The second movement is a passacaglia. The theme is presented by the trombonist, then passed through the ensemble. The third movement relies heavily on the kinetic energy built up by mixed meter. It begins at a moderately fast pace and presents material that will permeate the rest of the movement. In the middle, it transitions to a slower, more lyrical section, before recapitulating the opening material and running rampant to its finish.

This piece is dedicated to Jett Walker and his co-commissioners with my deepest gratitude. It was my privilege to write for such a fantastic group of trombonists, and I hope you enjoy the piece!