The Queensland Conservatorium QHorns, Dr. Steven Schaughency (conductor), May 2024
Year: 2023
Duration: 4:30
Grade: Medium-Advanced
Commissioned by Steven Cohen & NUCORNO Horn Ensemble. Dedicated to Dr. Steven Schaughency.
Premiered by the NUCORNO Jazz Horn Ensemble and Shawn W. Davern (conductor) on July 29th, 2023 at 55th International Horn Symposium in the Université de Montréal's Salle Claude-Champagne.
Program Notes
The name of Dr. Steven Schaughency lives in a place of great respect and infamy within my family’s household. Imagine my great surprise that after many years of hearing numerous legendary stories, Steve would reach out to me to compose a new composition for horn ensemble and rhythm section, to be performed at the 55th International Horn Symposium at the Université de Montréal by Steven Cohen’s NUCORNO Horn ensemble.
The catalyst behind DROX draws from the origins of Steve’s close ties to my family. My father originally met Steve at the Ithaca College School of Music, where they were both members of John Covert’s french horn Studio and performed in the school ensembles together during their respective undergraduate degrees. Due to a shared love of the same music and their inclusion in the professional music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, my father and Steve became great friends. This friendship would go on to span decades and last all the way to today.
The music of DROX is deeply inspired by the funk, rock and soul music that graced the radio waves of the late 70s and early 80s. I initially imagined that the piece could be music that is as at home in a smoky jazz club as it is in the concert hall. The music of late 20th century groups like Steely Dan, Weather Report and Earth Wind & Fire is greatly emulated throughout, but I would be remised if I did not mention more modern inspirations like the music of Snarky Puppy, Moonchild and Roy Hargrove. It was my intention to create a synthesis of these different generations of music, especially with the pairing of french horn and electronic rhythm instruments.
The piece itself is scored for 8 individual horn parts, electronic keyboard, acoustic bass and full drum set. Amplification for the bass and keyboard is certainly recommended, and the piece can be performed successfully on a full acoustic piano (although an amplified electronic keyboard is preferred). In terms of the horn parts: Horn 1-3 are lead solo parts, with Horn 3 taking the most prominent solos in the beginning of the chart and will be expected to improvise later. Horn 4-6 primarily play accompaniment figures and provide harmonic back bone to the piece. Horn 7-8 double the bass and act as the foundation throughout. The beginning of the piece must be played confidently in order to sound succesful. At times, the piece is also extremely layered, so it is important that articulations and style are unified throughout the ensemble.
Thank you so much again to Mr. Steven Cohen for commissioning this piece into reality and for allowing me to conduct the premiere at IHS 55 with his group. Super special thanks to Dr. Steven Schaughency for the inspiration and continuation of championing this piece across the globe. I love the French horn and I hope all my horn friends will enjoy a dive into DROX!
Shawn W. Davern 