Arizona Centennial Overture was commissioned by the Arizona
Commission on the Arts as part of the Centennial Legacy Project to help
celebrate Arizonas centennial. There are three versions of the
compositions, chamber orchestra, full orchestra, and
band. The overture pays tribute
to the unique blend of the various cultures that had a part in shaping
Arizona into what it is today. This six and a half minute composition is
divided into three main sections.
The first section begins with fanfares that announce the celebration.
After thirty seconds, the introduction fades into music that pays
tribute to the pioneers that migrated to Arizona. The music has a rustic
quality reflecting the pioneering spirit of the ranchers, farmers,
miners, and merchants who came to Arizona seeking a better way of life.
This section is intended to be inclusive as it is impossible to
represent each culture individually in a short musical composition.
The second section pays tribute to the various Native American
cultures that are a large part of Arizonas history and its present way
of life. Flutes and percussion instruments are used in the beginning of
this section to represent the Native American respect for nature. This
quiet section evolves into a ceremonial dance that increases in
intensity. Towards the end of this section one hears fragments of the
"pioneer" melody as these culture come together.
The third section is influenced by Mariachi music to recognize the
Hispanic influence in Arizona. The first part uses an original
rollicking tune with four beats to the measure over syncopation. The
second part contains a lyrical melody with three beats to the measure
accompanied by instruments playing accents that create the Hispanic
sounding grouping of six notes into three groups of two alternating with
two groups of three. A brief ending using the fanfares of celebration
interspersed with figures from the Native American and pioneer sections
brings the work to a rousing close.
The score prints on legal size paper and the parts on letter.