Flashbax

An energetic whirlwind with glimpses, or "flashbacks," of brief quotes from the classic band literature appearing from the past.

Program notes
Flashbax (2011) was commissioned by the Ohio Private Colleges Instrumental Directors Association to celebrate the life of conductor-educator Dr. William Schlacks (1948-2009), and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of OPCICA, of which Dr. Schlacks was the founding president.  Those who knew Bill Schlacks say he was a man full of life and vibrancy, and that he especially liked concert band music that was fast and energetic. It was suggested music in this style would be a more suitable tribute to him than a slow elegy, so the composer has aimed toward music that is an up-tempo whirlwind of energy.  In addition, the composer has sought to honor Dr. Schlacks, OPCICA, and the world of concert bands, by creating original music around a series of reverberations from, or glimpses into, or memories of, the great band literature of the past (the flashbacks). The alert listener will catch a few notes here and a few notes there from a number of the “classic” band works—echoes, if you will, that reverberate ever in the musical memories of those who know and love the concert band literature.
 
Note
The full instrumentation calls for 6-7 percussionists plus timpani.  An alternate set of percussion parts (4+timp) is available.  Also please note that horns 3-4 double horns 1-2 for most (but not all) of the piece, so that Flashbax can be performed with only two horns.