INSTRUMENTATION   

piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets in Bb, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in Bb, 2 trombones, bass trombone, baritone horn, tuba, 3 percussionists playing timpani, xylophone, snare drum, tam tam, triangle, crash cymbals, chimes, glockenspiel, bass drum, and whip

Program Notes  

In 2021, as part of the 150th anniversary celebration of the town of North Smithfield, Rhode Island, retired music teacher Michael Boday (who was instrumental in getting Robert Rogler’s piece La Guerre premiered in 1985), suggested that the town revisit one its most unique musical moments by having the North Smithfield High School Concert Band perform La Guerre 36 years later.

Led by band director Kevin Plouffe, the musicians played valiantly considering the many difficulties presented by the Covid pandemic – restricted rehearsals and having to perform the piece fully masked.  

After the performance, Mr. Plouffe asked Robert Rogler if he might have a piece suitable for his other band, The Brown University Symphonic Band. Knowing that Brown has one of the highest ranking music departments in the country, Rogler wrote Seven Preludes for Symphonic Band, a challenging piece in seven sections with each section allowing a different instrument or section of instruments a lead role in the music.