A Grand American Celebration

A Grand American Celebration is commissioned for the opening of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts Jan Serr Studio. Written in 2019, the work is a celebration of the Jan Serr Studio, and the great Jan Serr and John Shannon, passionate artists and unrelenting patrons of the arts and education.

In addition to the full compliment of a wind ensemble, alto saxophone and Bb trumpet are given solo roles in the work. However, members of the wind ensemble are equally soloistic at times.

The wind ensemble is a quintessential American “orchestra”, if one is permitted to say that. It is a very important part of the musical education at American middle schools/high schools/universities. It is much more common than a regular orchestra. It has all the instruments, if not more, of what the regular orchestra has except for the strings. Though through using multiple wind instruments on some parts, the wind ensemble is able to achieve string-like sounds as well. It is a great sonic force made up of winds, brasses and percussion. With an inherent “positive, extravert” sound, qualities that are identified around the world as the overwhelming characteristic of probably a good part of various American art, wind ensemble is perhaps as American as doughnuts and hamburgers.

I was thinking all the above as I was writing this work. I really wanted to celebrate Jan and John in it. The work at times is very ceremonial. In contrast to many of my works, I did not want the energy to subside quickly, but to continue often with one peak after another. Part of this is not easily letting go of the pulse, whether it is in the rhythm or the beat. Of course, I cannot completely abandon what I am pulled to and what I yearn for in my DNA. So, there are some placid times, and some introvertive moments. As a part of my vocabulary, the material is often presented with a duality present in it. I feel this adds debt to the material, helps frame it and distinguish it.

Ultimately this is a celebration and a fast, fervent ride. It has a really big sound, so brace yourself!

– Kamran Ince