Twelve Gallon Hat - by Julie Giroux

[RickF]

After two weeks of no band rehearsal (Labor Day & Hurricane Irma), we got back to rehearse last night. We're playing a couple of my favorites, "Second Suite in F - Holst" and "Orpheus in the Underworld - Offenbach (arr. Odum)". There are about 4 solos for euphonium.

We got a new piece by Julie Giroux entitled, "Twelve Gallon Hat". This piece was commissioned by The Pensacola Civic Band in celebration of Don Snowden's 25th year directing that group. Mr. Snowden has been one of the directors for the "All-Florida Community Band" gathering a few times. A great guy and excellent conductor. Mr. Snowden's main gig is trombonist with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra.

It's a tough piece with plenty of excitement. A lot of syncopated rhythms that can be tricky. It's a grade 5 and you can listen to a sample here if interested:

The Twelve Gallon Hat - Juile Giroux

[JasonDonnelly]

Awesome piece! I very much like Julie Giroux - she's definitely one of my favorite wind band writers working today.

[davewerden]

That IS a nice piece! I also like her description of it. She's not trying to be profound - just writing some nice, fun, and accessible music for the audience and players.

[davewerden]

I think her Arcus IX, a tuba solo, could easily work on euphonium, especially with piano. It was written for former USCG Band euphoniumist Larry Campbell, but she targeted F tuba. Still think it would be fine on euphonium.

[RickF]

Ms. Julie Giroux has composed some very interesting works. She also worked with Bill Conti in Los Angeles arranging instrumentation for films and various TV series. The "Twelve Gallon Hat" to me has an Aaron Copland feel to it.

[Jrpetty24]

I played this piece a few years back in college. It's a really fun piece with some interesting rhythms to keep things interesting. One of my favorite pieces by her is "Overture in Five Flat" Those of you that have played this piece know this, but rather than being an Overture written in a key with 5 flats... it is the composer's intention to have the piece completed within 5 minutes flat! Lots of fun to play and can definitely present some finger dexterity challenges. Giroux never seems to disappoint people with her music, nice balance of fun for both the player and listener, as well as challenging aspects for the band.

[eupharitone]

I think her Arcus IX, a tuba solo, could easily work on euphonium, especially with piano. It was written for former USCG Band euphoniumist Larry Campbell, but she targeted F tuba. Still think it would be fine on euphonium.

Late response, but the piece was actually written for tubist Larry Campbell, the father of Steve Campbell who plays tuba for the Minnesota Orchestra and professor of tuba at University of Minnesota. It was a commission done in honor of Larry's retirement as Director of Bands at Blinn College in Brenham, TX. He premiered the work on F Tuba.