THE WILLING
A FANFARE FOR CONCERT BAND

(ALSO ARRANGED FOR ORCHESTRA)

ABOUT THE COMPOSITION

The Willing is a fanfare composed in honor of United States military personnel, whose service and sacrifice inspire all Americans, and was co-commissioned by the Cornell University Symphonic Band, Ithaca College Campus Band and St. Olaf College Valhalla Band.

Originally composed for concert band, The Willing has also been arranged for orchestra by the composer. The approximate duration is 5 1/2 minutes, and the difficulty level is grade 3.5, appropriate for college and advanced high school and community ensembles.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER

Carl Schroeder (b. 1982) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, composes music for concert band, orchestra, choir, chamber ensembles and solo piano that often draws inspiration from American history, current events, natural surroundings and memories. His large ensemble music has been performed by nearly 50 concert bands, orchestras and choirs, including the Air Force Band of Mid-America, Minnesota Youth Symphonies and Ukraine’s Chamber Choir Kyiv. He has written commissioned works for the City of Lakes Community Band, Cornell University Symphonic Band, Minnesota State Band, Minnesota Symphonic Winds, Southwest Wind Ensemble, Three Rivers Conference Honor Band, Valley Winds, Wells Fargo Chorus and other ensembles and individuals. His published compositions include the concert band work Spin, the choral work Two December Carols and the piano solo 88 Keys, and six CDs of his music have been released. He is also the author of two books in the Fenn and Zorro series of novels told through correspondence. A 2005 graduate of St. Olaf College, he studied composition primarily with Timothy Mahr and Peter Hamlin. He composed The Willing during the summer of 2004 and adapted the work for orchestra during the summer of 2005.

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MORE ON THE WILLING

CONCERT PERFORMANCES concert band version unless otherwise noted
March 4, 2005: Cornell University Symphonic Band; James Patrick Miller, conductor - Ithaca, NY premiere VIDEO LINK Listen on YouTube
April 23, 2005: Ithaca College Campus Band; Heidi Miller, conductor - Ithaca, NY
May 14, 2005: St. Olaf College Valhalla Band; Carl Holmquist, conductor - Northfield, MN
Sept. 11, 2005: 9-11 Tribute Concert Orchestra; Jeffrey Stirling, conductor - Minneapolis, MN premiere (orchestra arrangement) AUDIO LINK Listen on YouTube
May 2, 2006: Calhoun-Isles Community Band; Paul Kile, conductor - Edina, MN
Oct. 20, 2008: University of Minnesota Campus Band; Heidi Miller, conductor - Minneapolis, MN

NEWS ARTICLES
Sept. 9, 2005: "Business owner produces annual 9-11 Tribute with community's help" (Roxanne Furlong, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)
Sept. 12, 2005: "Pain gives way to memory" (Glenn Howatt, Star Tribune) Article in paid archives

RECORDINGS
Valhalla Works - Cornell University Symphonic Band; James Patrick Miller, conductor
Southwest Memories and other music by Carl Schroeder - Cornell University Symphonic Band; James Patrick Miller, conductor