Premiere performance by Dr. Robert Benton and the University of Nebraska at Kearney wind ensemble conducted by Dr. Duane Bierman at the 2024 Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Migration Concerto for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble was commissioned by Dr. Robert Benton for the 2024 Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at the University of Kearney, Nebraska, and was further supported by the Nebraska Arts Council, the Audubon Rowe Sanctuary, and the Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference. The work is directly
inspired by the annual Springtime great migration of Sandhill Cranes on the Platte River in Kearny. The Migration Euphonium Concerto consists of three movements that musically convey this
massive event through the lens of both an onlooker and a Sandhill Crane: I. Arrival, II. Sistere (still), and III. Flight.

Sistere (still) is what I consider the heart of the Concerto. The Latin word sistere means “to stop” and “to cease moving”. This movement represents the Sandhill Cranes huddled together, roosting on the Platte River. An optimistic percussion introduction rings for ten seconds before an ethereal vibraphone-led progression leads into the solo euphonium melody. The soloist and ensemble build in intensity until a subito piano brings the music back into the initial dream-like chorale. There is another swell of intensity and a subito pianissimo before the music blossoms into a sweeping and passionate restatement of the original material, this time in a new key. The movement ends with a subdued, hopeful iteration of the chorale progression.

Cover art by Hope Schwartz

Sheet Music available here:

Piano Reduction: https://www.ianlestermusic.com/store/p45/Migration_Concerto_for_Euphonium_and_Wind_Ensemble_%28Piano_Reduction%29_%282024%29.html

With Wind Ensemble: https://www.ianlestermusic.com/store/p44/Migration_Concerto_for_Euphonium_and_Wind_Ensemble_%282024%29.html

Copyright © 2024 Ian Lester

Migration Concerto for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble, II. Sistere (still)

A native Michigander whose music has been described as "high energy", "innovative" and "very thoughtful and concise" (International Tuba and Euphonium Association), Dr. Ian Lester (b. 1994) is an award-winning composer, euphonium player, and teacher holding a Doctorate degree in euphonium performance and Master’s degree in composition from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, where he also previously received his Master's degree in euphonium performance. Ian received his Bachelor’s degree in euphonium performance and pursued additional composition studies at Oakland University in Michigan. Ian’s works have been performed and recorded by soloists, chamber ensembles, wind bands, and brass bands at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Fort Myer, and many universities and recital halls around the world. Notable achievements include winning the 2016 U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Composition Competition, receiving the 2018 Oakland University's Outstanding Student in Composition award, winning the 2018 North Texas Euphonium Quartet Composition Competition, the 2021 Mirari Brass Quintet Call for Scores, and the 2022 UMKC Composition Competition, being selected to attend the 2021 Julius String Quartet EMERGE Solstice Composition Workshop, along with winning both the inaugural 2023 North Texas I.T.E.A. Chapter Composition Competition and the 2023 I.T.E.A. R. Winston Morris Award for excellence in tuba/euphonium ensemble composition.

The Troubled Euphs is a euphonium trio founded in 2021 by Drew Leslie, Dr. Ian Lester, and Jared Sherman, all students at the University of Missouri – Kansas City at the time of the ensemble’s inception. The trio's objective is to commission, promote, and perform new repertoire for euphonium trio and demonstrate the unique strengths and capabilities of their instrumentation. Within the first two and a half years of their existence, the trio has commissioned ten new works for the medium, several of which were composed by local Kansas City-area composers. The trio has been recognized for their talents and musicianship, earning a 4th place finish at the North American Brass Band Association chamber ensemble competition, and being invited as semi-finalists for the small ensemble competition at the 2023 International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Tempe, Arizona, where they received 4th place. Most recently, the Troubled Euphs have been invited to perform at the South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium conference at the University of Memphis as well as the Southeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at Middle Tennessee State University.