The Ceremonial III was completed in 2004, to a commission by Patricia Velarde of San Mateo, California, for her nieces and nephews Taylor, Michael, Steven and Amy, four of the five children of Judge Ernest Robles of Los Angeles. These talented young people, all experienced orchestra and band players, nevertheless understandably needed something for their unusual combination of instruments to be able to play together.
The work's single movement presents a dramatic scenario which culminates in a central Misterioso and gradually returns to it first, robust idea. It is in a sectional arch form in which the tempos of each section accelerate to the midpoint and then effect a ritardando, returning at the end to the opening material at its original tempo. The characters of the sections vary from fanfares to boatsongs to passages of imitative counterpoint. The instruments trade solo and accompanimental duties in a design of varying combinations. The piece is nine minutes long.
The score is twenty two pages in length and is copied in the composer's fair hand using a straightedge. It is available in a study score (8 1/2" by 11") for $8. A Set of Parts (8 1/2" by 11") is available for $24.
The score was revised in 2009.
The premiere presentation of this work will be given on May 10, 2009, at Old First Concerts, in San Francisco
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