Declaration Overture
by Claude T. Smith
--
Grade 2

Claude Thomas Smith was born on March 14, 1932, in Monroe City, Missouri, and spent most of his life in Carrollton, Missouri. After studying at Central Methodist College, he received a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas in 1958. Along with public school teaching in the state of Missouri, Smith also taught theory, composition, and directed the University Orchestra at Southwest Missouri State University. Smith was the recipient of many commissions and awards and was popular as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator. He died suddenly of a heart attack on December 13, 1987, after conducting one of his own works at the blue Ridge Presbyterian Church in Raytown, Missouri.

Year of composition—1976

Publisher: Wingert-Jones Publishing Inc.

Grade: 2

Type of composition: Concert Overture

Style: AB

Programming Suggestions: A bravura concert overture which opens with a powerful and dramatic fanfare. Lots of rhythmic work will keep your percussionists on their toes.

Solo instruments: trumpet, and percussion feature

Anecdotal notes: Extreme ranges on most instrument parts. Difficult rhythms on all parts. Trumpet solo. Features percussion at letter I. Music is in hand-written manuscript, may be difficult for students and conductor to read. Goes from Bb to C. Meter changes from 4/4 to 2/4. Andante to Presto tempo. Requires good mallet percussion player.

Discography: YOUNG BAND REPERTOIRE PROJECT CD Volume 2 UTSA-1469