Celebration for Orchestra
1. Birthday Treat (2’ 13”)
2. Anniversary (4’ 08”)
3. Jubilee (5’ 02”)
SCORING: 2+1,2,2,2: 4,3,3,1: Timps (x3), 2 Perc,
Harp (Opt.) and Strings (Full details in score)
DURATION: Approx. 18 minutes
AVAILABILITY: Orchestral Set and score available to buy from Lawrence Killian. (Click button on the right for email enquiry)
BRASS BAND VERSION also available - see Brass Band above.
Commissioned by the Todmorden Symphony Orchestra to celebrate their 100th Anniversary concert in June 2015. The premier took place in Todmorden Town Hall as part of the orchestra’s summer concert under the direction of their conductor Nicholas Concannon Hodges.
PROGRAMME NOTE
The piece's overall aim is to provide both the players and the audience with a positively uplifting, and fun musical showcase. The listener is taken on a journey through the various moods and feelings associated with three types of celebration: birthday, anniversary, and jubilee. The music is generally light in character with a subtle blend of the familiar and not so familiar with a few 'cheesy bits' to make you smile in between.
The first movement is 'Birthday Treat', a light-hearted look at the fun and games surrounding a birthday party for any age. Opportunity is given within the music for the players and audience to join in and echo the sounds of a live party with exclamations of: “Happy Birthday!”, “Congratulations!”, “Well done!”.
The second movement in the suite is 'Anniversary', a touching musical tableau recalling memories of bygone days.
The final movement, 'Jubilee', is exactly that. Full of jubilation, energy, and movement the music is sure to engage the listener from the start. Listen out for musical snippets recalling the musical moods heard in the first two movements.
Click on the image above for sample score.
Click on the image above for sample 1st Violin Part.
CONCERT PERFORMANCES/ REVIEWS
24 June 2018: Summer Concert
Kings Hall, Ilkley, W. Yorkshire, UK.
Airedale Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by John Anderson
25 June 2015: Centenary Concert
World Premiere, Todmorden Town Hall, UK.
Todmorden Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Nicholas Concannon Hodges
REVIEW - Ilkley 24 June 2018
….. The sun drenched King's Hall was jam packed for a generous programme designed for Sunday afternoon family enjoyment.
….. Next up, principal trumpet Lawrence Killian's own Celebration for Orchestra showcased every section of the ASO in this, their 120th birthday year.
The magical world of film provided the grand finale to a fun packed programme: three iconic James Bond themes, Max Steiner's music from A Summer Place, arranged by Lawrence Killian and - most exciting of all - the Main Titles from John Williams' immortal music for Star Wars.
Geoffrey Mogridge, June 2018
REVIEW - Todmorden 25 June 2015
….. The Todmorden Orchestra Centenary Concert opened with an arrangement of the National Anthem by Lawrence Killian, with extended introductory and closing fanfares for brass and percussion.
…….. The second half opened with A Celebration for Orchestra by longstanding orchestra member Lawrence Killian, who plays principal trumpet and was conductor of Todmorden Orchestra from 1987-1991. Lawrence has composed and arranged many pieces for the orchestra.
This work was commissioned for the centenary concert and has three movements. ‘Birthday Treat’ was lively and upbeat, opening with sparkling woodwind and a catchy percussion ostinato. The main theme was taken up by the entire orchestra and there were shouts of ‘Happy Birthday!’ as party poppers were set off. ‘Anniversary’ was more reflective, in a relaxed jazz style and the finale, ‘Jubilee’, was full of energy.
Lynda Robertson, June 2015