Description
Join Nick Enz (St. Ambrose University) in commissioning a transcription for concert band of Phoenix. This three-movement work embodies the mythical cycle of the phoenix, from fiery destruction to humble ashes and triumphant rebirth. With a blend of bold fanfares, soaring passages, and soulful lyricism, Phoenix takes listeners on a journey through grandeur, introspection, and ultimate renewal.
Originally written for saxophone ensemble, Phoenix was premiered at the 2023 Midwest Clinic by David Mobley, Andrew Vu, and Round Rock (TX) High School Saxophone Choir. It has since been programmed by saxophone ensembles across the United States.
The concert band transcription will receive its World Premiere in Spring 2025.
Join now to receive the following benefits:
- Participants may choose to commission the full piece or a single movement of their choice
- All commissioners receive:
- Name and ensemble listed on the cover page
- Co-exclusive performance rights from March 15, 2025 until July 1, 2026
- Score and Parts via PDF
- Those who commission the full piece also receive:
- Custom parts for your ensemble (e.g., “Add a contrabass clarinet”)
Part requests may be discussed via email after joining the consortium.
- For the first 10 sign-ups only: 1-hour Guest Composer Clinic with Dr. Sowa via video conference with your band ($200 value)
Clinic topics may involve Dr. Sowa giving feedback on your performance, explaining the theory and creative process behind the piece, or presenting on other topics as agreed upon.
- Custom parts for your ensemble (e.g., “Add a contrabass clarinet”)
Full commission details below.
Audio Clips + Perusal Score
🎼 Download the PDF perusal score of the saxophone version here.
🎧 Highlight Clips from Phoenix (2023) as performed by the David Mobley, Andrew Vu, and Round Rock (TX) High School Saxophone Choir:
🎥 Watch the Full Performance on YouTube:
About the Commission
Key Details
Difficulty and Duration
- Difficulty: Grade 4-5
- Duration: 14 minutes
- Movements:
- Feverish (6/8, ♩. = 128)
- Ashen (3/4, ♩ = 76)
- Ascendant (6/8, ♩. = 136)
Instrumentation*
- Piccolo
- Flute 1, 2
- Oboe (optional)
- Bassoon (optional)
- Clarinet 1, 2
- Bass Clarinet
- Alto Saxophone
- Tenor Saxophone
- Baritone Saxophone
- Trumpet 1, 2
- Horn 1, 2
- Trombone 1, 2
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Double Bass
- Percussion 1, 2, 3, plus 3 option parts (6 total)
* All solos will be cross-cued in multiple parts to make the piece more easily adaptable to a variety of instrumentations.
Consortium Members & Performance Exclusivity
- Nick Enz (St. Ambrose University)
- more soon!
The consortium lead will give the premiere in Spring 2025. Additional consortium members will share co-exclusive performance rights in for the remainder of Spring 2025 and for the concert year 2025–2026.
Delivery Date: March 15, 2025
Deadline to Join: January 31, 2024
Method of Delivery: PDF
Buy-In Price (per ensemble): $250 full piece / $100 single movement
- Payment may be made through the link above or checks can be made out to Joseph Sowa and mailed to 27 Ladd St., Watertown, MA 02472.
- For institutional documentation (i.e., W9, invoice, etc.) and purchase orders, please email orders@josephsowa.com.
Benefits
- Participants may choose to commission the full piece or a single movement of their choice
- All commissioners receive:
- Name and ensemble listed on the cover page
- Exclusive performance rights in the 2025–26 concert season
- Score and Parts via PDF
- Those who commission the full piece also receive:
- Custom parts for your ensemble (e.g., “Add a contrabass clarinet”)
- For the first 10 sign-ups only: 1-hour Guest Composer Clinic with Dr. Sowa with your band ($200 value)
About Joseph Sowa
Joseph Sowa grew up playing violin and listening to film scores and orchestral broadcasts on NPR. Inspired by these sounds, he has since composed a diverse catalog of more than 70 works. His music focuses on intricate textures and vivid colors to produce surprising twists and compelling flourishes. In 2020, his piece “Motion Lines” was released on the PRISM Quartet’s album Surfaces and Essences. Joseph received his PhD from Brandeis University where he studied with David Rakowski, Yu-Hui Chang, and Eric Chasalow.
Recent Awards and Honors
- 2024, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2010 Barlow Endowment for Music Composition, Commissions
- 2023 ACO EarShot Reading Session Participant with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
- 2021 Midwest Clinic, Presenter
- 2019 American Prize (for vocal chamber music), 3rd Place Winner
- 2018 Noah Matthew Siegel Prize for Young Composers, Runner Up
Testimonials
“As my first time collaborating with a composer, I felt it went great! I appreciated your flexibility as our ensemble learned Phoenix and shifted parts around to better fit our players. I also loved the piece itself and how it turned out. From exhilarating to tender and soft and ending with a triumphant closer, the piece ties up our program perfectly.” — Vinesh M., student performer from Round Rock (TX) High School Saxophone Choir
“Joseph Sowa is a great composer with which to collaborate. He never missed a deadline, he offered my students the opportunity to watch him compose in real time, and was very communicative. Besides writing a fantastic piece of music for everyone involved, he was also very open to conversation about the piece’s elements (such as time signatures, orchestration, etc.). He even went as far as to make revisions to the piece that made accomplishing his aural objectives achievable and more conducive to a successful premiere. Of the 70+ works I have premiered, Joseph is a composer that I know I will work with again in the future because the experience was so great for both me and my students.” — Darrell Brown, Georgia Southern University Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music, Director of Bands
“‘Motion Lines’ (recorded on Surfaces and Essences) has a wonderful pointillist quality that explores the inherent tension in generating musical momentum. Joseph is a rising star, and we look forward to hearing and playing more of his music.” — Matthew Levy, PRISM Quartet
Questions?
Contact Joseph Sowa at josephsowamusic@gmail.com or Nick Enz at enznicholasj@sau.edu
