Sinfonia No. 2 for Euphonium

This heartfelt solo for euphonium offers an impressionistic setting to this lyrical piece. The ever-changing dynamics and tonal shifts enhance the passion and intensity of the music, from quiet and intimate to bold and powerful, giving the soloist an opportunity to demonstrate the technical and emotional range of this beautiful instrument. Originally written with full band accompaniment, this version allows the piece to played with piano providing greater opportunities for performance. The original solo was written in 1974 when I was in my senior year at the University of Miami. My idea was to write ten solos, one for each major instrument in the wind section of the concert band, each accompanied by wind ensemble, and performed by my friends who were also my Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia "brothers.". While the euphonium solo was listed and the second in the series, it was actually written first. Then I decided the project should be a suite, playable as movements in concert, and therefore decided the first solo should be something more up-tempo. Consequently, Sinfonia No. 1 for Horn was written next. After the premieres of these first two solos, I graduated in 1975 and began my teaching career, and that spelled the end of the project until fifty years later when I was commissioned to write a solo for trombone with concert band in 2024. In trying to find a title for the piece, I remembered I had written two other solos many years ago and decided to call it Sinfonia No. 3 for Trombone. It was then I considered updating and resurrecting the other two solos. Amazingly, I was able to find the original scores in my files, and two years later found some time to start the process. I hope the result is something that will find its way into the repertoire for euphonium soloists, and a piece they enjoy playing.