A Festive Overture was commissioned by the Tri-State Festival, held annually under the auspices of the Music Division of Dickinson State College in Dickinson, North Dakota, for performance at the 1963 Festival. The first performance took place on November 2nd, 1963, at the concluding grand concert of the festival, with the Dickinson State College Symphonic Band under the composer's direction. The score is in traditional overture form, a brilliant opening allegro followed by a reflective, lyrical interlude, and concluding with a return to the first themes and mood. The entire work is built on three motifs, which are heard in the first section, with the middle section developed from one of these, which first appears as the bass line to the main theme. In the course of the work, the full resources of the modern, integrated concert band are called upon, to present these motifs in constantly varied forms and combinations, and in scintillating tone colors. The wording of the commission presented a basic challenge: that of writing a major work on the highest musical level and yet capable of performance by a good high school band. We believe that this challenge has been met, and are proud to offer this work as a contribution to the modern school and concert band repertoire.
