The EXCITEMENT of FEAR
Duration
5:30
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Difficulty
Grade 3.5
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InstrumentationBand + Electronic Audio Track
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Why is it that we enjoy some things that scare us? Roller coasters, horror movies, bungee jumping, driving really fast - all of these activities are fun because there is an element of fear. It turns out that fear and excitement are actually the same thing. Our bodies react to both of these emotions in an identical manner; sweaty palms, increased heart rate, dilated pupils, etc. So where is the line between finding an activity exciting or terrifying? This composition explores the intersection of fear and excitement by exploring unusual sounds, abrupt harmonic and dynamic changes, and juxtaposing moments of haunting anticipation with moments of thrilling adrenaline. Many of the melodic ideas are based around the sequence of pitches; F, E, A, Eb, which is “fear” translated into melodic pitches.
This work was commissioned by a consortium of bands from seventeen high schools and universities from around the United States led by consortium director, David Lesniak. This work is dedicated to the students of Plainfield East High School and their directors David Lesniak and Justin Koszarek. |
Perusal Score
| theexcitementoffear_scoreperusal.pdf |
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Intro from the composer
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You want me to do WHAT?!
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Trumpet solo excerpt
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Full Recording
Consortium Director - David Lesniak
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David Lesniak is the Director of Bands at Plainfield East High School. He has been with Plainfield East since the school opened in August 2008. From 2008-2011, Mr. Lesniak served as a Visiting Lecturer of Music at North Central College (Naperville, IL), teaching courses in Brass Techniques and Advanced Instrumental conducting. Since 2011, Mr. Lesniak has performed on horn as a member of the Naperville Municipal Band and recently completed a 2-year term as the ILMEA District 9 Band Representative. During his time at Plainfield East, Mr. Lesniak has been a recipient of the 2014 D202 Board of Education Award for Excellence and the 2011 PEHS CAPE Bengal Pride Award.
Prior to his appointment at Plainfield East, Mr. Lesniak was the Assistant Director of Bands at Batavia High School from 1999-2008. During his time in Batavia, Mr. Lesniak taught private lessons for both trumpet and F horn, was a performer and conductor with the Aurora Summer Concert Band, served in the office and as a counselor for Showchoir Camps of America, and was on the marching band staff at several high schools in the Chicagoland area. Mr. Lesniak is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, PA. Prior to that, he received his Master of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, IL) in 2006, and his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from North Central College (Naperville, IL) in 1999, where he was recipient of the Clarence Juhnke Award for Outstanding Music Major. |
Many thanks to all the Consortium Members!
Plainfield East High School - Plainfield, IL
David Lesniak, Justin Koszarek
Consortium Directors
Batavia High School - Batavia, IL
Chris Owen, Brian Van Kley
Bowling Green City Schools - Bowling Green, OH
Bruce Corrigan, Jeremy Sison, Kayla Gronsky
Elmhurst University - Elmhurst, IL
James Hile, John Heath
Fruita Monument High School - Fruita, CO
Ryan Crabtree
Joliet Junior College - Joliet, IL
Charles Morgan
Kaneland High School - Maple Park, IL
Aaron Puckett
Kasson-Mantorville High School - Kasson, MN
Anthony Boldt, Elizabeth Harwood, Sarah Vinzant
Limestone Community High School - Bartonville, IL
Justin Bainter, Stevi Rzeszutko
Madison West High School - Madison, WI
Kevin Rhodes
Minooka Community High School - Minooka, IL
Kyle Adelmann & Gina Wych
Naperville Central High School - Naperville, IL
Brandon Estes, DJ Alstadt
Richmond-Burton Community High School - Richmond, IL
Kateri Tumminello
Wauconda High School - Wauconda, IL
Christopher Dortwegt, Jack Holt
West Aurora High School - Aurora, IL
Ms. Patty Sampson, Dr. Rod Schueller, Mr. John Sierakowski
Williamsport High School - Williamsport, MD
Lauren Bond
Yorkville High School - Yorkville, IL
Victor Anderson, Bobby Vriezen
Consortium Members
David Lesniak, Justin Koszarek
Consortium Directors
Batavia High School - Batavia, IL
Chris Owen, Brian Van Kley
Bowling Green City Schools - Bowling Green, OH
Bruce Corrigan, Jeremy Sison, Kayla Gronsky
Elmhurst University - Elmhurst, IL
James Hile, John Heath
Fruita Monument High School - Fruita, CO
Ryan Crabtree
Joliet Junior College - Joliet, IL
Charles Morgan
Kaneland High School - Maple Park, IL
Aaron Puckett
Kasson-Mantorville High School - Kasson, MN
Anthony Boldt, Elizabeth Harwood, Sarah Vinzant
Limestone Community High School - Bartonville, IL
Justin Bainter, Stevi Rzeszutko
Madison West High School - Madison, WI
Kevin Rhodes
Minooka Community High School - Minooka, IL
Kyle Adelmann & Gina Wych
Naperville Central High School - Naperville, IL
Brandon Estes, DJ Alstadt
Richmond-Burton Community High School - Richmond, IL
Kateri Tumminello
Wauconda High School - Wauconda, IL
Christopher Dortwegt, Jack Holt
West Aurora High School - Aurora, IL
Ms. Patty Sampson, Dr. Rod Schueller, Mr. John Sierakowski
Williamsport High School - Williamsport, MD
Lauren Bond
Yorkville High School - Yorkville, IL
Victor Anderson, Bobby Vriezen
Consortium Members
Purchase
Photo attribution: "coastin" by jason saul. Used with permission. CC license on Flickr.com