Spartan's Dream, A

Based on an earlier fanfare titled "Spartan Spirit", A Spartan's Dram shares material with the original, but it is expanded to twice the length of the earlier piece. It is now less a fanfare and more a tone poem. The performing forces may vary from the smallest wind ensemble to the largest symphonic band.

Program Notes

The Michigan State University Orchestra Program celebrated its 75th anniversary in the academic year 2001–2002. I, among others, was invited to compose a fanfare for brass and percussion to open one of the season’s concerts. My offering was titled Spartan Spirit, and it bears the seed of A Spartan’s Dream. I liked what I had done in the fanfare, but I felt the need for a larger and more flexible ensemble. The second ‘Spartan’ creation shares material with the original, but it is expanded to twice the length of the earlier piece. It is now less a fanfare and more a tone poem. The performing forces may vary from the smallest wind ensemble to the largest symphonic band.

- Jere Hutcheson

Grade Level: 5
Copyright: 2006
Number of Players: Standard
Duration: 7:20

Listen to Recordings

Sample PDF

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Flute 3
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
English Horn
Soprano Clarinet
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
F Horn 3
F Horn 4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass

Piano

Percussion 1 (xylophone, vibraphone, suspended cymbal, log drum)
Percussion 2 (marimba, glockenspiel, temple blocks)
Percussion 3 (guiro, siren whistle (acme), hi-hat)
Percussion 4 (claves, maracas, slapstick, vibraphone, glockenspiel)
Percussion 5 (congas, snare drum, tam-tam)
Percussion 6 (timpani, log drum, bass drum)