Synthetic Sunlight

Steven Bryant

Steven Bryant

Subtitle: Symphonic Band + Electronics

General Info

Year: 2023
Duration: c. 6:40
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Steven Bryant
Cost: Parts (digital) - $200.00   |   Score Only (digital) - $25.00

Instrumentation

• Full Score
• Flute I-II-III
• Oboe
• Bassoon
• B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
• B-flat Bass Clarinet
• E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
• B-flat Tenor Saxophone
• E-flat Baritone Saxophone
• B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
• Horn in F I-II
• Trombone I-II-III
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Contra-Bass (optional)
• Timpani
• Percussion, including:

*Bass Drum

*Glockenspiel

*Sandpaper Blocks

*Shakers

*Snare Drum

*Suspended Cymbal

*Tom-toms (low, medium-low, medium)

*Vibraphone

• Synth
• Electric Guitar
• Bass Guitar

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Synthetic Sunlight refers both to a world of 1980s neon nostalgia, with the band accompanied by electronic sounds that recall Bryant's youth, and to the idea of creating sunlight (and its many metaphorical stand-ins: warmth, joy, hope) where none is to be found naturally. The composer refers to the piece as "A synthetic sound world of neon nostalgia that revolves from a modally ambiguous dance rhythm into an optimistic synth anthem of bliss."

Dedicated to Glen Adsit, for his tireless efforts to bring more interesting music for every level of musician into the world.

- Program Note from University of Illinois Hindsley Symphonic Band concert program, 25 April 2025

Media

None discovered thus far.

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• University of Illinois (Champaign) Hindsley Symphonic Band (Kim Fleming, conductor) - 25 April 2025
• Arizona State University (Tempe) Wind Symphony (Jamal Duncan, conductor) - 9 April 2025
• Duke University (Durham, N.C.) Wind Symphony (Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant, conductor) – 22 February 2024

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

• Dusk (Four-part Adaptable Band) (2004/2020)
• Dusk (Five-part Adaptable Band) (2004/2020)
• In This Broad Earth (Adaptable Band) (2015/2020)
• The Low Arc of the Sun (Adaptable Band) (2017/2021)
• The Machine Awakes (Five-part Adaptable Band) (2012/2020)
• MetaMarch (Six-part Adaptable Band) (arr. Ambrose) (2003/2020)

All Wind Works

• Alchemy in Silent Spaces (2001)
• Aloft (2023)
• all stars are love (2014)
• Anthem (Bryant) (2011)
• The Automatic Earth (2019)
• Axis Mundi (2009)
• Bloom (2004)
• A Brighter Light (2021)
• Centennial Chimes (2021)
• Chester Leaps In. See: Parody Suite
• A Chorus Loud and Strong (2021)
• Coil (2014)
• Concerto for Alto Saxophone (2014)
• Concerto for Cello and Orchestral Winds
• Concerto for Piano and Orchestral Winds & Percussion (2012)
• Concerto for Trombone (2016)
• Concerto for Wind Ensemble (2010)
• Dusk (2004)
• Dusk (Four-part Adaptable Band) (2004/2020)
• Dusk (Five-Part Adaptable Band) (2004/2020)
• Ecstatic Fanfare (2012)
• Ecstatic Fanfare (arr. Lourens) (2012/2015)
• Ecstatic Waters (2008/2025)
• Engines of Wonder (2025)
• First Light
• Impercynations See: Parody Suite
• Idyll (2013)
• In This Broad Earth (2015)
• In This Broad Earth (for brass ensemble) (2015/2017)
• In This Broad Earth (Adaptable Band) (2015/2020)
• Interruption Overture (1998)
• Interruptions (2012)
• Irrational Joy. See: Miniature Suite
• The Logic of All My Dreams. See: Alchemy in Silent Spaces
• Loose Id (2006)
• The Low Arc of the Sun (Adaptable Band) (2017/2021)
• The Machine Awakes (2012)
• The Machine Awakes (Five-part Adaptable Band) (2012/2020)
• The Marbled Midnight Mile (1999)
• MetaMarch. See: Parody Suite
• MetaMarch (Six-part Adaptable Band) (arr. Ambrose) (2003/2020)
• A Million Suns at Midnight
• Miniature Suite (2017)
  • Irrational Joy (2017)
• Monkey (1999)
• Nothing Gold Can Stay (2016)
• Paean (2012)
  • Chant
  • Triumph
• Parody Suite
  • ImPercynations (2002)
  • Suite Dreams (2007)
  • MetaMarch (2003)
  • Chester Leaps In (1997)
• Pendulum (2018)
• Radiant Joy (2006)
• RedLine
• Rise (2003)
• sevenfive
• Solace (2012)
• Stampede (2003)
• Suite Dreams. See: Parody Suite
• Synthetic Sunlight (2023)
• This Silver World (2023)
• Whirlwind (2013)
• Wings That Work (2003)

Resources

• Steven Bryant website. Accessed 22 February 2024