Title: For the Children
Commission/Dedication: Written for Hiroaki Shiomi
Premiere: Premiered by Hiroaki Shiomi. Dates unknown.
Composer: Barbara York
Publisher: Cimarron Music Press
Year: 2017
Purchasing: https://www.cimarronmusic.com/forthechildren
Program notes from the composer:
This story was written for my friend Hiroaki Shiomi about his love for his children.
Here is the story:
It is getting close to bedtime. We see the children. They are so sweet and beautiful. The mother takes charge and starts to make sure that they do everything they need to do before bed. They pick up their toys, wash their hands and faces, brush their teeth, start to read a story etc., etc., and everything is very calm. They are even getting more tired and sleepy. The Daddy comes in and he wants to play! He picks them up and plays with them, making them laugh and laugh. The children and Daddy run around together, laughing, playing and being silly. Before long the children become so tired that they cannot play anymore. Daddy and Mommy put them to bed together and they fall asleep while their parents watch. Together they are perfect parents and love their children in every way.
Author assessment and pedagogical considerations:
“For the Children” is a lovely piece full of imagery and musical dialogue for the listener to engage with. The tubist will meet a few challenges throughout the piece. The range explores just over three octaves and spends a fair amount of time in the higher tessitura. York provides the description of “Gently” at the beginning of the work as this is when the household and children are winding down for bed. I would encourage any soloist preparing this work to practice the whole first page of the tuba part and the last section of the piece with a drone set to ‘D.’ This will help solidify intonation and allow the flexibility this piece demands to develop nicely.
The allegretto section presents three measures of double-tonguing. Metronome practice, starting with a slow tempo and increasing to the printed tempo will help the soloist solidify the passage. The rest of the piece is straight forward. This piece is loaded with chances for character development and present a unique opportunity to have someone paint pictures, draw comic strips, or even choreograph dancers to collaborate and make big art. The audience would love it.
Recordings:
