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Duration: c. 9½'
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(Picc)2(EH)22(Cbn)-4331 Timp 3Perc Hp Strings
Travelogue of a child's journey to outer space - episodes feature various
sections of the orchestra to add music educational value.
DETAILS
COMMISSIONED by Lockheed Martin and the Haddonfield
Symphony for NASA Astronaut Kenneth Reightler, Jr. to narrate the PREMIERE,
Daniel Hege conducting.
PERFORMANCES also include Philadelphia Orchestra and many others.
SCORE LAUNCHED INTO SPACE on the 100th Space Shuttle!
TEACHING/CURRICULUM USE: Serves as a story-based introduction to the
characteristic sounds of each family of orchestra instruments. Also ties
in with interdisciplinary learning. Story is approved by NASA Astronauts!
FEATURED on League of American Orchestra's www.playmusic.org
educational website.
AVAILABLE on
rental from Theodore Presser Company.
ORCHESTRAL SCORE perusal available online (click the "score and parts" tab).
RECORDED on Bridge Records by Symphony In C conducted by Rossen Milanov, featuring Ukee Washington as narrator.
YOUTUBE of the Bridge Records recording.
PROGRAM NOTES
BLAST OFF! is a narrated travelog
of a trip to space. It can be narrated by a real astronaut or any other
storyteller. The audience gets to yell "5-4-3-2-1, Blast Off!"
when it's time for the launch.
Several scenes in BLAST OFF! use
instrumental groups within the orchestra - for example, the woodwind section
portrays Martians, and the brass section depicts the brilliant sun. These groups
may be featured in pre-concert preparation of young audiences as an educational
introduction to the orchestra and to the performance.
BLAST OFF! was commissioned by
Lockheed Martin Technology Services for the astronaut Kenneth Reightler to
narrate with the Haddonfield Symphony. Following the premiere, the score to
BLAST OFF! was launched into space on the NASA Space Shuttle, STS 100.
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