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Composed for the Indiana State University Wind Orchestra. In loving memory of Dr. Stephen L. Gage

Beyond Measure

Concert Band Score & Parts

The Husaria Cavalry, often referred to as "The Winged Cavalry," was the pride and glory of the Polish military from 1550 to 1683. They were an elite fighting force earning one third more salary than the other enlisted men. They were offered political offices, titles, many privileges, and even land after six years of service. Many of the sons of the highest born nobility were enlisted in the Husaria as well. Only those who demonstrated great fighting and equestrian skills were accepted. Husaria Cavalry Overture is a tribute to these gallant men and their horses! J.G.

Husaria Cavalry Overture

Sandai-Shogun no Matsu, a five-needle pine bonsai (Pinus pentaphylla var. negishi) is considered one of Japan's national treasures. The tree is at least 500 years old and is considered to be one of the oldest known living bonsai trees. It is documented as having been cared for by Tokugawa Iemitsu (August 12, 1604 - June 8, 1651) who was the third shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty. Sandai-Shogun no Matsu is housed in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. "Although the center of this famous tree's trunk is now totally hollow, it has been carefully nurtured for generations, and gazing at its gnarled form today, a sense of awe is felt at the forceful destiny that has allowed such a small piece of life to survive for so many centuries."

The Bonsai Tree

"When the shadow falls across the doorway, it is time for me to go home." My grandmother used to say that all the time. She hated to be out after dark. I think of that term often and in the summer of 2013, I had the distinct honor of spending ten days on tour with a wonderful group of musicians in Japan. On the last day of the tour, the shadows fell across the doorway and left me with a heavy heart. As an American we are fond of saying things like "see you later" as a good-bye. For the most part, I knew parting from my new friends was more of a "see you never again" type of farewell. Composing Shadow Falls was like therapy. It was a good way to express my feelings of joy and sadness. That summer, music brought us all together and now, Shadow Falls serves as a forever farewell. J.G.

Shadow Falls

One Life Beautiful - The title itself is a double-entendre which in one sense is referring to the person this work is dedicated to as in "one life" that was beautifully lived. The other sense is a direct observation concluding that having only one life is what makes life so sacred, tragic and so very precious. This is an impressionistic work musically describing that condition. Shakespeare's "sweet sorrow," the frailty and strength of life, the meaning of what it is to truly live one life, beautiful.

One Life Beautiful

"Riften Wed" is the music for loves and unions, past and present such as this. A love, a wedding, a lifetime shared by two people in the middle of a storm that threatens to tear them apart. Where "til death do us part" is not only a reality, it's a given. Where love is a gift worthy of all the joy and pain it demands. One life, one love, one ending. This music is for those that are truly "Riften Wed." J.G.

Riften Wed

Italian Rhapsody is a collection of Italian folk songs and a few operatic excerpts scored with Italian gusto! Solo Clarinet opens this work with a certain Mafioso flair developing into a devious rendition of "The Italian Wedding Song #2" (The Wedding Tarantella). "Caderna," composed by A. D. Arcangelo, is presented in both an Italian street band and contemporary march style. Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme "Quando m'en vo" (Musetta's Waltz) makes an appearance as an accordion player serenading young lovers in the moonlight. The finale features Luigi Denza's "Funiculi! Funicula!," Giuseppi Verdi's Il Trovatore (Act II - Anvil Chorus) and Gioacchino Rossini's Barber of Seville.

Italian Rhapsody

The Nihonbashi bridge was the central point of development of what is now a business district of Chuo, Tokyo, Japan, aptly named the Nihonbashi District. For centuries it thrived as a mercantile district. The first department store ever developed in Japan was by the Mitsui family named Mitsukoshi. From its early days as a fish market to the current financial district of Tokyo (and Japan), this bridge spanning the Nihonbashi River is a true landmark in Tokyo. In fact, highway signs that state the distance to Tokyo actually state the distance to the Nihonbashi bridge.

Bookmarks from Japan Movement- II. Nihonbashi - "Bridge Market"

Carnaval! (2013) is a vivid depiction of the excitement and energy of a Latin street Carnaval. During the Carnival season, an annual festival held prior to Lent, cultures all over the world celebrate with parades and street parties that feature floats, dancers, vendors, and street performers. Giroux captures the activity and busyness of the Carnaval with a persistent rhythmic motor that travels through various timbres of the ensemble including many Latin percussion instruments.

Carnaval

Pictures of the Great Orion Nebula, Barnard's Loop, M78, M43, the Molecular Clouds 1 and 2 and the Horsehead Nebula never cease to capture my imagination. I have journeyed there many times in my mind so I decided to sketch that journey with notes. Travel with the music 1,500 light years away into the constellation Orion the Hunter, into the Molecular Cloud Complex and through the Great Orion Nebula where stars and ideas are born. J.G.

Journey Through Orion

Beyond the Gates, while programmatic, does not tell an exact or specific story. The music portrays what I, as the composer, imagined could be on the other side of that gated wall. Walls are meant to keep things in, or out. In this case, they are meant to keep things out that are very dangerous, deadly, or perhaps even evil. I am not going to describe exactly what I was imagining because they are my own demons and by leaving that detail out of the program notes, I hope to encourage the audience and listeners to imagine their own demons. So go ahead, conjure up your worst because I promise you, I depicted it with music.

Beyond the Gates

K2, also known as "The Savage Mountain," sits on the border between Pakistan and China. It is the second highest peak in the world, with a peak elevation of 8,611 m (28,251 feet) and carries with it the second highest fatality rate of 27%. For every four people who attempt its climb, one will die. It has never been climbed in winter.

"Ding Dong Merrily on High" first appeared in print as a dance in a book written by Jehan Tabourot. The lyrics are from the English composer George Ratcliffe Woodward which he published in his book "The Cambridge Carol-Book: Being Fifty-two Songs for Christmas, Easter, and Other Seasons." Light hearted and joyful, this carol works extremely well with concert band instruments and presents several showcases for instrumental groups. J.G.

Merrily on High

Immerse yourself in the evocative landscapes of "Bookmarks from Japan" by Julie Giroux. This complete symphonic suite in six movements captures the essence of Japan's beauty and cultural richness. Ideal for concerts and contests, each movement offers a unique exploration of sound and emotion. A must-perform masterpiece. - Note: This music is composed by humans. No human-written product description is available, limiting search visibility. The AI-assisted description is for reference only.

Bookmarks from Japan Movement Movements 1-6 (Complete Symphony)

Ecclesiastes III - "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance..."

A Time to Dance

This piece is based on one view of Mt. Fuji covered in mist and low clouds which slowly burn off as the day progresses. Orchestration and composition techniques follow this scenario starting off with mysterious, unfocused scoring. As the piece progresses, the scoring gets more focused and bold with the final statement representing Fuji-san in a totally clear view.

Bookmarks from Japan Movement- I. Fuji-San - "Mt. Fuji"

Vigils Keep will take you on a journey through the south where sometimes...just to endure life, is an accomplishment. J.G.

Vigils Keep

Originally built in 941 AD, Kaminarimon is the outer gate leading to the Senso-ji Temple which was constructed around 628 AD near Kamagata and later relocated to its present location in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan in 1635. This large gate features four statues. The Shinto gods Fujin and Raijin are located on the front of the gate and the Buddhist god Tenryu and goddess Kinryu stand on the reverse side. Fujin, displayed on the front east side of the gate, is the god of wind and Raijin, on the west side, is the god of thunder, giving the gate its nickname of "Thunder Gate."

Bookmarks from Japan Movement- IV. Kinryu-zan Sensoji - "Thunder Gate"

This programmatic work depicts the building of the Roman Empire and in particular, Rome itself. Its architecture, its political intrigue and the diverse social status of its people is reflected in this work with its overall tonality and ethnic flavors. In some sections, the percussion section represents Rome's military strength. At other times, it represents the dancing and celebrations which, in Rome, as with most everything else, were epic in proportion. Throughout the composing process, I envisioned a country peasant going to Rome for the first time, seeing all the sights and even getting enticed into a party or two. J.G.

Empire

Wade and I have been friends for many years and when he told me he was retiring I wanted to do something special for him. I asked his wife for a short list of his favorite hymns and decided on "Nearer, My God, to Thee." As I was arranging it, I could hear my grandmother's church years ago singing it a capella - the way they held notes longer or shorter than actually written. I arranged it to reflect that, so the piece changes from 4/4 to 3/4 at will. It is a free-flowing arrangement with many ways to interpret it regarding ritards and so on. I did this arrangement harmonically my way because I knew Wade would expect nothing less. All my love to Wade and his family. J.G.

Nearer my God to Thee

Global Sections - CORE [DO NOT TOUCH]*

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