DEREK M. JENKINS – COMPOSER​

​Duration: 5'00"



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Instrumentation:

Concert Band -

2 Flutes, 1 Oboe, 1 Bassoon, 2 Bb Clarinets, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Alto Sax., 1 Tenor Sax., 1 Baritone Sax., 2 Bb Trumpets, 2 Horns, 2 Trombones, 1 Euphonium, 1 Tuba, 5 Percussion

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OR

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Flex Band -

Part I (Flute, Oboe, and/or Clarinet)

Part II (Clarinet, Alto Sax., and/or Trumpet)

Part III (Clarinet, Alto Sax., Trumpet, and/or Horn)

Part IV (Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax., Bassoon, Horn, Trombone, and/or

              Euphonium)

Part V (Bass Clarinet, Baritone Sax., Bassoon, Trombone, Euphonium,

             and/or Tuba)

Percussion (4 parts)

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Program Notes:

"It is the stars,

The stars above us, govern our conditions."

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– William Shakespeare’s King Lear

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Our sun has represented different things throughout history. It was a deity. An indirect source of food. A supplier of light. A point for navigation. An aid in the telling of time. However, one thing has remained constant: humans have always been enamored by the sheer power of the sun. Solar flares are one such manifestation of this power. NASA states that "[solar] eruptions are created when the motion of the sun's interior contorts its own magnetic fields. Like the sudden release of a twisted rubber band, the magnetic fields explosively realign, driving vast amounts of energy into space. This phenomenon can create a sudden flash of light - a solar flare." This piece alludes to the awesome power of a solar flare with its driving rhythms, sudden changes, and majestic fanfares.

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Solar Flare was commissioned by John Oelrich for the 40th Annual University of Tennessee at Martin Honor Band Festival for performance by the festival's Junior High Honor Band. 

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