This is a recording of the March 12th 2016 premiere performance by the U.S. Coast Guard Band with bass clarinet soloist Andrew Grenci.  My sincere thanks to the band and to Andrew Grenci for a stellar performance.
The piece was was commissioned by:
Dr. Gordon R. Brock, University of North Florida Flagship Music Program
Dr. John C. Carmichael, University of South Florida
Dr. Patrick K. Carney, Limestone College
Andrew Grenci, Bass Clarinetist
Alan Mitchell, Andrews University
Nicholas Morrison, Utah State University
Dr. Danh T. Pham, Washington State University
Dr. Frederick Speck, University of Louisville
Dr. Reed Thomas, Middle Tennessee State University
Dr. David Vickerman, The College of New Jersey
Chris David Westover, Bethel College
Dr. Norman Wika, Northeastern State University


Though in its modern form the bass clarinet is a flexible and lyrical instrument, it was first popularized in many romantic orchestrations as a harbinger of melancholy.  This somber role came to influence many of the early uses of the bass clarinet, and Berlioz even describes Wagner’s writing for the instrument as always displaying a “character of solemn resignation.”  The twentieth century introduced a more liberal use of the instrument’s abilities.  But, the solemn character assigned by Wagner still influenced much of the literature which expanded to include sinister or comical roles for the instrument in programmatic works.
This traditional “dark” character is referenced and realized primarily in a capricious form in “Up to No Good”. The material is presented in three movements, and in each instance the bass clarinet soloist manages to “corrupt” the other players by influencing the musical material and goading the wind ensemble into a reaction.  The overall formal structure supports this approach by featuring the first movement as a kind of prelude (or dare) that is eventually accepted and addressed in the third movement.  This is referenced in the subtitle for the third movement by a phrase often used by my brother when issuing a personal challenge – “I hope you brought your woodscrews . . .”

US Coast Guard Band CBDNA

Up to No Good III  The Devil's in the Details (I hope you brought your woodscrews)

Up to No Good II  Little White Lies (what we don't know can't hurt us . . . )

Up to No Good  I Fingers Crossed (Prelude and Double Dare)

This piece was commissioned by my friend and colleague Jessica Koebbe.  It was recorded and released by Jessica on the Midwest Chamber Ensemble's "Voices from the Middle" - New Music from Kansas City album in 2015.  Jessica and I worked together at MNU and I greatly value her friendship and musicianship.

Voices From the Middle - Brad Baumgardner

Napalm Comes from Harvard

And So it Goes

And Gathered Around the Roots of the Money Tree . . .

In Search of Vertical Time

A Stumbling View From the Edge

Truer Words

Still Pushin' That Rock . . .

First Things First

Brad Baumgardner is a Nashville based composer, bass clarinetist, and experimental musician.  What else is there to say really?  If you like his music and want to work with him, write for him, or have him write for you, just send him a message.  Brad believes that music is supposed to be fun - if we're not having fun, then what the hell are we doing?  

For more info, or to contact me - please visit bradbaumgardner.com

Brad Baumgardner

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