Tsunami: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Tsunami: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-24670S
Price: 10.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Vince Gassi

Grade: 4 (Medium Difficult)

Item: 00-24670S

$10.00

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In 1,500 B.C. the volcano of Santorin, an island to the north of Crete, exploded with unprecedented violence sending millions of tons of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, producing intense atmospheric shock waves, and creating disastrous tsunamis. It is now believed that this caused the extinction of the great Minoan civilization. This piece was written in the spring of 2004, prior to the more recent tsunami in December of that year, and is dedicated to the memory of all who were affected by that disaster. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

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Series: Alfred Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 24

UPC: 038081270470

SKU: 00-24670S

More about this title

About the Composer: Vince Gassi

Vince Gassi has established himself as one of the most prolific voices in concert band composition, with over 100 published works since joining Alfred Music in 2006. His approach to writing balances genuine musical substance with accessibility, earning him recognition on international concert and contest lists across North America, Europe, and Japan. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario and the Dick Grove School of Music, Gassi holds a Ph.D. from York University and spent twenty-five years teaching instrumental music at the elementary and secondary levels.

Beyond composition, Gassi remains deeply engaged with music education through his work as guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. His seminars on creative engagement and digital workflows for music directors reflect his commitment to helping educators and students develop as musicians and thinkers. His pieces are frequent selections at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, a measure of their impact on the concert band repertoire.

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Why we love this

Gassi captures the raw power of a natural disaster without resorting to cheap programming effects. The piece channels genuine emotional weight into Grade 4 writing that challenges your band's musicality without overwhelming the parts, and its concert appeal guarantees audiences will sit up and listen.

What to expect

The piece opens with an unsettling, almost underwater quality before building inexorably toward overwhelming force. There's a visceral quality to the orchestration that respects the gravity of its subject while remaining musically refined rather than merely descriptive.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced concert bands ready to program substantial music with real dramatic arc. This score works for bands with solid musicianship across all sections and enough rehearsal time to develop nuance in both the quieter atmospheric writing and the forceful climaxes.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the dynamic range carefully across sections. The piece builds from atmospheric unease to climactic intensity, and clarity in the sustained passages will pay dividends when the full swell arrives.
Pay attention to rhythmic precision in the accompaniment figures, especially when multiple parts lock together. These patterns anchor the piece and prevent it from feeling unfocused during complex vertical movement.
Shape individual melodic lines with forward motion even in quieter moments. Many conductors underestimate the importance of phrasing in transitional passages; commit to each gesture fully.
Resist the urge to rush during moments of high intensity. The power comes from control and clarity, not tempo.

How to use it

Program this as the centerpiece of a concert exploring human resilience or natural forces. Its emotional depth pairs well with contrasting lighter fare and gives your band a chance to demonstrate dynamic range and dramatic control in a single work.