Winter 2006
Tim’s lush new band arrangement of jazz composer/pianist Joe Utterback’s Greensleeves (known as Nativity Song in its original version for organ) has recently been published by Grand Mesa Music. An arrangement for brass quintet is also soon to appear.
Hal Leonard continues to bring out some of Tim’s more “cutting edge” works for school bands. Pilgrim Traveler is a unique composition based on four different shape-note hymns from the classic Southern hymnal The Sacred Harp. This Grade 3 work has important material in every instrumental part, and includes plenty of melodic counterpoint, changes of mood, and expressive power. Intended for outstanding middle school and accomplished high school bands, this is one of Tim’s major new works.
From Boosey & Hawkes comes A Fable and a Folk Tale, a piece consisting of two scherzo-like movements. Unpredictable harmonies, meter changes, humor and constantly shifting instrumental combinations make this one a real challenge, although with plenty of entertainment value for the audience. Grade 3 ½ or 4, for experienced players. Be sure and listen to the excellent recording included in recent promotional materials from Hal Leonard.
Also from Boosey & Hawkes are two choral works originally developed for Tim’s choir at First Presbyterian Church in Belmar, New Jersey. A Shelter in the Time of Storm fits jazzy new music to a traditional gospel text. Ideal for smaller choirs with good rhythmic cohesion, the work is for SATB with a small amount of divisi at the end. Search Me, Lord sets a text from the Psalms for tenor soloist, with piano (or organ) and optional solo cello. This is music with a simple but highly expressive melodic line, and gentle modal harmonies. Not difficult, this anthem can be an effective contribution to church services and concerts.
A major recent project for Tim was the revision and preparation of new performing materials for his “legendary” Sinfonia VIII ”The Continental Saxophone”. Originally commissioned by Alan McMurray during his tenure at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, the work was composed to celebrate the U.S. BiCentennial in 1976. For solo alto and tenor saxophones (1 player) with an orchestra of winds (including 2 recorders), percussion, piano, harpsichord, cellos and basses, this is a unique work in Tim’s canon. It is now available for rental. Grade 5, for discriminating ensembles.
The latest keyboard work from Tim is Down for solo piano. This 11-minute work begins with only two pitches, the tritone C-F#, and adds two pitches in each successive movement. Spare, even austere, the music builds to harmonic fullness, without compromising its somber mood. Friends have suggested this music was Tim’s reaction to political events combined with his diagnosis of prostate cancer in the autumn of 2004. The composer prefers to let the music do its own work, without subjective interference. The cancer has been treated successfully.
RECENT PERFORMANCES
Tim was guest harpsichordist on the Georgian Court University Faculty recital held October 23rd, 2005 in The Mansion on the campus in Lakewood, NJ. Violist Dorothy Sobieski played Bach’s Sonata in G for viola & harpsichord with Tim, followed by Tim’s performance of Louis Couperin’s solo harpsichord suite in C Minor.
Jack Delaney, pianist Samuel Holland and the excellent Meadows Wind Ensemble performed Tim’s Concerto for Piano & Wind Orchestra in Caruth Auditorium at Southern Methodist University on February 25th, 2005. Plans are under way for a possible recording in the near future.
At Butler University in Indianapolis, conductor Bob Grechesky and the Butler University Wind Ensemble played Sinfonia XII “Southern Heart/Sacred Harp” in its Indiana premiere, April 3, 2005 in Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler. Bob is an old friend of Tim’s from their summer days together at the Glassboro State College (nka Rowan University) Music Camp in 1963 and 1964. The conductor at those camps was the late, and much revered, Don George.
At Madison High School in New Jersey Tim conducted the premieres of his two commissioned band works, Pilgrim Traveler (just published by Hal Leonard) and You and I and the World. Tim was hosted by band director Robert Seibert, who was the moving force behind the commissions.
Ongoing performances by participants in the consortium that commissioned Tim’s tribute to Gil Evans, Enumeration of the Actual, took place at Florida State University on April 21st, 2005, with Richard Clary conducting the FSU Wind Orchestra, and with Tim’s niece and nephew, Jessica and Gregory Broege, in the audience (Greg pronounced the music “pretty cool”); and at Riverside Community College in California, conducted by Kevin Mayse, on May 15th, 2005.
The New Jersey Chamber Singers included three of Tim’s choral works on their Spring 2005 concerts. Led by guest conductor Rebecca Sizer, this fine chorus sang A Shelter in the Time of Storm, Search Me, Lord (fka The Endless Way), and A Prayer of Moses. For their Christmas season 2005 concerts the Singers will be performing Tim’s Vom Himmel Hoch and selections from his Seven New Carols.
Conductor James Popejoy and the University of North Dakota Wind Ensemble will be performing Tim’s Geography of the Dream (Three Pieces for American Band, Set No. 3) at the CBDNA conference to be held at Northwestern University in February 2006. Tim is thrilled at the prospect of this piece, which was commissioned by the U.S. Military Academy Band, being played at his alma mater.
The McGill University Wind Symphony will be playing Tim’s Concerto for Marimba & Wind Orchestra in Montreal on February 15th, 2006, led by conductor Alain Cazes. This will be the concerto’s “international premiere”, after performances in Reno, NV, Dallas, and Indiana, PA.
Harpsichordist Paul Klecka played Tim’s Panda as part of the Ludwigsluster Schloss Konzerte series in Germany. The recital featured a theme of depictions or commentaries on the animal world, and took place on August 20th, 2005. Panda was composed in 2003 at Paul’s request.
Last, and certainly not least, World’s Greatest White Sox fan Jim Kull will be taking his fine St. Charles High School East Wind Ensemble to New York City in February, 2006 to appear at Carnegie Hall. On the program will be movements three and four from Tim’s seldom performed Sinfonia XVIII. The concert is scheduled for Monday, February 13th, 2006. In May of 2004 Jim and his high school bands did an entire concert of Tim’s music in the beautiful performing arts center at the school. Tim was in attendance, and shared the conducting with Jim.
NEWS ARCHIVE:
Includes reviews of Mr. Broege's: "Sinfonia XIX", "Sinfonia No. 4", "Blue Alien Accumulation", "Slow March With Celebration", and "Mysterian Landscapes".
by William L. Berz
Peace Song by Timothy Broege
Berz rating = 3 batons (Blocker Volume 1)
New Jersey's own Timothy Broege has composed many true gems for the young band. His music is exceptionally fresh, not filled with those elements often associated with band music. Musical structure too is often unconventional. His music offers tremendous potential for music teacher. Peace Song is his own version of the third movement of his Three Pieces for Clavichord. The overall tempo is slow and features beautiful timbral contrasts. Broege lists the difficulty as 2+. New Jersey band directors especially should champion his music.
Thursday, May 13th, 2004
The St. Charles East High Concert Bands, Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensemble welcomed composer Timothy Broege for an evening of his compositions for band.
Broege is one of the most versatile composers writing for band today. He writes pieces for groups of all ability levels.
Broege also met with all the band students at East, a very unique opportunity for the students. He is the third composer to be invited to the school, following Stephen Melillo and Frank Ticheli. Contact: Tom Hernandez; thernandez@d303.org
Friday, April 16, 2004 (Dallas Morning News)
Southern Methodist University hosted "Ceremonial," a free concert by the Meadows Wind Ensemble, Friday at 8 p.m. in Caruth Auditorium, 6101 Bishop Blvd. in the Owen Arts Center. The concert featured the world premiere of Timothy Broege's Songs Without Words: Set Number 7, a song cycle commissioned by the ensemble.
