These recordings are not to be downloaded
ELAM SPRENKLE
and
Peabody Conservatory Teacher of Music History and Theory; Radio Commentator; Baseball Fan; Choir Director; Composer.
Elam Ray Sprenkle was born to a family rooted In the Mennonites of southern Pennsylvania. That explains his Biblical first name...more difficult is finding the wellspring of his versatility. A teacher of music history, theory and ideas at the Peabody Conservatory and Johns Hopkins University, a choir director, a WBJC-FM radio veteran favoring facts to opinions, an admirer of American creativity, a baseball fan straining for the Orioles' first pitch, and a Civil War student unable to shake his upbringing near Gettysburg. But all of this would become secondary when Sprenkle drops the Ray and signs his name. That means he's finished another composition as Elam Sprenkle, one of Maryland's foremost composers.
Notes excerpted from:
"American Poets Inspire this Renaissance Man" by Ernest F. Imhoff | Baltimore Sun
Notes excerpted from:
"American Poets Inspire this Renaissance Man" by Ernest F. Imhoff | Baltimore Sun
Brass Chamber Music for the 20th International Assembly of Astrophysicists: Baltimore, Maryland - 1988
Astrophysicist Dr. Arthur F. Davidsen, who was responsible for securing NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Project for the Johns Hopkins University, also played a key role in Baltimore's hosting this International Assembly. Dr. Davidsen was also responsible for the Astronomical Union's commissioning Elam Sprenkle to compose a piece especially for the occasion. Elam Sprenkle's An Aubade received its world premiere by the Annapolis Brass Quintet at the International Astronomical Union's Inaugural Ceremonies in the Baltimore Convention Center on August 2, 1988.
These recordings are not to be downloaded
The Second Presbyterian Church of Baltimore
Farewell Concert - February 28, 1993
Annapolis Brass Quntet
Live Performance - Recorded by WBJC - FM
Elam Sprenkle's
An Aubade
TAP > AUDIO BAR BELOW
(There may be a 10 to 20 second delay before sound begins.)
Duration: 3'59"
Annapolis Brass Quintet
Robert Suggs, trumpet; David Cran, trumpet; Sharon Tiebert, horn;
Wayne Wells, trombone; Robert Posten, bass trombone
An Aubade - Poem by Phillip Larkin
Robert Suggs, trumpet; David Cran, trumpet; Sharon Tiebert, horn;
Wayne Wells, trombone; Robert Posten, bass trombone
An Aubade - Poem by Phillip Larkin
Concert of Contemporary American Music
November 15, 1986 at Goucher College, Baltimore, Maryland
Annapolis Brass Quintet
Live Performance - Recorded by WBJC- FM
Elam Sprenkle's
Three Sketches on a Southern Hymn Tune (1981)
1. Allegro 2. Andante 3. Pasacalle
Bob Suggs, trumpet; David Cran, trumpet; Arthur Brooks, horn;
Wayne Wells, trombone; Robert Posten, bass trombone.
TAP > AUDIO BARS BELOW
(A.) Elam Sprenkle talks about his work (B.) Performance of "Three Sketches" by ABQ
(There may be a 10 to 20 second delay before sound begins.)
(A) Duration 1'36" (B) Duration 9'21"
November 15, 1986 at Goucher College, Baltimore, Maryland
Annapolis Brass Quintet
Live Performance - Recorded by WBJC- FM
Elam Sprenkle's
Three Sketches on a Southern Hymn Tune (1981)
1. Allegro 2. Andante 3. Pasacalle
Bob Suggs, trumpet; David Cran, trumpet; Arthur Brooks, horn;
Wayne Wells, trombone; Robert Posten, bass trombone.
TAP > AUDIO BARS BELOW
(A.) Elam Sprenkle talks about his work (B.) Performance of "Three Sketches" by ABQ
(There may be a 10 to 20 second delay before sound begins.)
(A) Duration 1'36" (B) Duration 9'21"
Peabody Alumni Achievement Award
Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Music in Maryland
Presented to Ray Sprenkle April 25, 2004
Read More
Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Music in Maryland
Presented to Ray Sprenkle April 25, 2004
Read More
Sister Anne by Elam Sprenkle was written in 1988 for the Western Wind Vocal Ensemble and the Annapolis Brass Quintet
The composer shared the following thoughts about his writing Sister Anne:
"The original poem is entitled "Go Down, Death" by James Weldon Johnson. In the printing I worked from, the poet referred to it as a funeral sermon and left a blank line in the text where one could insert the deceased's name. I did an earlier version based on this text for the Handel Choir, and director Herb Dimmock suggested I use his mother's name "Anne" in the text, so that's how "Sister Anne" was named."
"When I wrote the piece for you guys and the Western Wind sextet, I remember scoring the piece for brass quintet and three women and three men. The Western Wind turned out to be four men and two women. Oh, boy! They were extremely generous about my faux pas and adapted one of the woman's parts for a male voice on the spot at the first reading. Didn't hesitate or drop a note." Elam Sprenkle
"The original poem is entitled "Go Down, Death" by James Weldon Johnson. In the printing I worked from, the poet referred to it as a funeral sermon and left a blank line in the text where one could insert the deceased's name. I did an earlier version based on this text for the Handel Choir, and director Herb Dimmock suggested I use his mother's name "Anne" in the text, so that's how "Sister Anne" was named."
"When I wrote the piece for you guys and the Western Wind sextet, I remember scoring the piece for brass quintet and three women and three men. The Western Wind turned out to be four men and two women. Oh, boy! They were extremely generous about my faux pas and adapted one of the woman's parts for a male voice on the spot at the first reading. Didn't hesitate or drop a note." Elam Sprenkle
The Brass Chamber Music Society of Annapolis
Artists Series Concert - October 15, 1989
Western Wind Vocal Ensemble & Annapolis Brass Quintet
WWVE: Johanna Arnold & Elaine Russell, sopranos; William Zukof, countertenor; Lawrence Bennett & William Lyon Lee, tenors; Elliot Z. Levine, baritone. ABQ: Bob Suggs & David Cran, trumpets; Sharon Tiebert, horn; Wayne Wells, trombone; Robert Posten, bass trombone.
Elam Sprenkle's Sister Anne
Text from "Go Down, Death" by James Weldon Johnson*
Live Performance - Recorded by WBJC- FM
TAP > AUDIO BAR BELOW
(There may be a 10 to 20 second delay before sound begins.)
Duration: 11'32"
Artists Series Concert - October 15, 1989
Western Wind Vocal Ensemble & Annapolis Brass Quintet
WWVE: Johanna Arnold & Elaine Russell, sopranos; William Zukof, countertenor; Lawrence Bennett & William Lyon Lee, tenors; Elliot Z. Levine, baritone. ABQ: Bob Suggs & David Cran, trumpets; Sharon Tiebert, horn; Wayne Wells, trombone; Robert Posten, bass trombone.
Elam Sprenkle's Sister Anne
Text from "Go Down, Death" by James Weldon Johnson*
Live Performance - Recorded by WBJC- FM
TAP > AUDIO BAR BELOW
(There may be a 10 to 20 second delay before sound begins.)
Duration: 11'32"
* For Sister Anne text from James Weldon Johnson's "Go Down, Death"
Click Here
Click Here
These recordings are not to be downloaded
Brass Chamber Music for the 8th International Congress of Human Genetics:
Washington, DC - 1991
Diversions on a Repeated Sequence by Elam Sprenkle (b. 1948) was commissioned by Dr. Victor McKusick to be premiered by the Annapolis Brass Quintet for the Opening Ceremonies of the International Congress of Human Genetics on October 6, 1991.
______
About this work, composer Elam Sprenkle said that in his talks with McKusick the phrase "repeated sequence" came up, apparently a phrase used by geneticists as a key element of human genetics.
"So," the composer said, "I ran with it . . . every phrase in the Diversions is sequenced musically, and there you have it!"
TAP > AUDIO BAR BELOW
(There may be a 10 to 20 second delay before sound begins.)
Duration: 4'22"
Washington, DC - 1991
Diversions on a Repeated Sequence by Elam Sprenkle (b. 1948) was commissioned by Dr. Victor McKusick to be premiered by the Annapolis Brass Quintet for the Opening Ceremonies of the International Congress of Human Genetics on October 6, 1991.
______
About this work, composer Elam Sprenkle said that in his talks with McKusick the phrase "repeated sequence" came up, apparently a phrase used by geneticists as a key element of human genetics.
"So," the composer said, "I ran with it . . . every phrase in the Diversions is sequenced musically, and there you have it!"
TAP > AUDIO BAR BELOW
(There may be a 10 to 20 second delay before sound begins.)
Duration: 4'22"
Annapolis Brass Quintet
Bob Suggs, trumpet; David Cran, trumpet; Sharon Tiebert, horn;
Wayne Wells, trombone; Robert Posten, bass trombone.
Bob Suggs, trumpet; David Cran, trumpet; Sharon Tiebert, horn;
Wayne Wells, trombone; Robert Posten, bass trombone.
Elam Sprenkle has created a large and varied body of works for brass quintet alone, in various collaborative chamber settings, with symphony orchestra, and with vocal solo, ensemble and full chorus as well.
- Six Songs (1981) for mezzo-soprano and brass quintet (text by Emily Dickinson) commissioned by the BCMSA for and premiered by mezzo-soprano Elaine Bonazzi and the ABQ
- A Serenade To Music (1981) for Crescent String Quartet, Annapolis Brass Quintet, Western Wind Vocal Sextet (text by Shakespeare) and premiered in July 1981 for Artpark's 2nd annual Chamber Music Feast
- Three Sketches on a Southern Hymn Tune (1981)
- Quaker Bottom (1982) Three Vignettes for brass quintet and orchestra written for and premiered by ABQ & Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and performed in 1984 for broadcast in Munich with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra.
- Three Fanfares (1984) for brass quintet (ABQ's fanfare for '87 opening of Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall)
- Diana's Hymns (1987) for chorus, mezzo-soprano, brass quintet & piano (texts by various poets)
- An Aubade (1988) for brass quintet was written for and premiered at 20th International Astronomical Union Ceremonies in Baltimore
- Sister Anne (1988) for vocal sextet and brass quintet (text from James Weldon Johnson's God's Trombones)
- Darius Greene and His Flying-Machine (1988) for two choirs, solo soprano, brass quintet, & piano (text by John Townsend Trowbridge)
- Early Music Suite After Susato, Scheidt and Pezel (1984) for brass quintet and orchestra
- The Creation (1990) for chorus, children's choir, mezzo-soprano, brass quintet, piano (text by James Weldon Johnson) and premiered by Columbia Pro Cantare and ABQ March 3, 1990
- Birches (1991) for chorus and brass quintet (text by Robert Frost) premiered by Columbia Pro Cantare and ABQ
- Diversions on a Repeated Sequence (1991) for brass quintet was written for and premiered at the 8th International Congress of Human Genetics Ceremonies in Washington, DC
- Crossing Brooklyn Ferry (1993) for chorus and brass quintet (text by Walt Whitman) and premiered March 28, 1993 by Columbia Pro Cantare: Frances Dawson, Conductor, and Annapolis Brass Quintet: Robert Suggs and David Cran, trumpets; Sharon Tiebert, horn; Wayne Wells, trombone; Robert Posten, bass trombone. The "Interlude" from Sprenkle's Crossing Brooklyn Ferry was the final piece performed by the Annapolis Brass Quintet on their April 1993 Farewell concerts.
Off-Stage Encore to ABQ's Farewell Concert, April 1993
A Final Salute to Elam Sprenkle
"Interlude" from
CROSSING BROOKLYN FERRY
To listen
click here
A Final Salute to Elam Sprenkle
"Interlude" from
CROSSING BROOKLYN FERRY
To listen
click here
The scores and parts for Elam Sprenkle's works listed above along with the entire Annapolis Brass Quintet music library are available for study and performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
TAP for direct access: ABQ Special Collection @ Oberlin Conservatory Library
FOSTERING BRASS CHAMBER MUSIC
TAP for direct access: ABQ Special Collection @ Oberlin Conservatory Library
FOSTERING BRASS CHAMBER MUSIC