Composer(s) / Arranger(s):
Gary P. Gilroy
Performance Time: | Grade: 4 | Style: Contemporary
Diametric Grooves was composed for the 2023 California Band Directors Association All-State High School Wind Symphony, California’s top high school honor band. It was premiered with the composer conducting in the Saroyan Concert Hall in the Fresno, California on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
The composition is a very challenging work for advanced level wind bands. Complex rhythms in a variety of meters create interesting grooves with every changing rhythms and textures. Musicians are challenged in most every manner possible as the energetic composition moves from one groove to the next. At times the textures are quite light and dainty. The music should “dance” through a variety of note groupings, meters and moods/feelings. And other moments in the work the players are asked to be quite bombastic in their approach to some of the sections where the music takes on a feel of heavy-metal-like rock grooves.
A strong keyboard player is important as there are several soloistic moments featuring the piano. Mallet percussion is also featured extensively throughout the work. As with any composition by composer Gary P. Gilroy, the percussion writing is creative and quite demanding. Much of the percussion writing is approached from a multi-percussion soloist point of view. Percussionists will be challenged with the extensive solo playing required of them in this work. They will also, however, enjoy being featured and highlighted almost non-stop throughout this selection.
While all musicians in the band will enjoy the challenge of this work, many sections and soloists will also get the chance to share the spotlight. It is recommended that the trombone section stand as they play from measure 17 through measure 29 and all other sections just like this. While these bars are written in a fast ¾ time signature, the feeling created is actually in a slow three when it grooves just right. Double reeds also get their share of the spotlight later in the piece. The 9/8 section features an interesting groove that is set as 2+2+2+3. Many musicians in the ensemble have solo moments that should be performed while standing if at all possible.
In 2023 Diametric Grooves was selected as one of the Bandworld Magazine’s Top 100 new publications for the year.
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