The Curse of El Rojo Grande Jason K. Nitsch

Maestro Band Series

PROGRAM NOTES
The Curse of El Rojo Grande was written for the Deer Park Junior High School Symphonic Band in Deer Park, Texas. The DPJH Mascot is the fawn and you can find the school slogan adorned on the walls of the school, on notebooks, spirit signs and t-shirts. It simply reads Go Big Red! The words El Rojo Grande are included in the title as my humorous attempt to incorporate this traditional community-rallying cry into the commission.

The piece begins with a slow mysterious section in which each of the percussion elements should be utilized to their creepiest effect. Except where noted, everything in the first section should be as smooth as possible, like a slow ominous fog rolling in. The gong roll in the first measure can be extended for maximum effect.

The rhythmic activity at rehearsal measure 18 should provide a slight feeling of direction without distracting from the overall flow of the musical line.

At rehearsal number 36 the ghouls of the night begin to appear and move with deliberate and unforgiving motion. The dynamics should be exaggerated for maximum effect beginning at rehearsal number 46. This continues in much the same manner until they Strike in measure 62. The following measures contain the ultimate battle between good and evil!

The pause before rehearsal number 78 is at the conductor's discretion and may be held as long as is theatrically effective. The battle rages on until one side finally overpowers their opponent . . . good or evil? I will leave that up to you!

I hope that you, your students and your audience enjoy this ghoulish musical adventure!

-JN

ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Jason K. Nitsch was born in 1977 and is a native of Houston, Texas. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the Baylor University School of Music in Waco, TX and a Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University. During the completion of his studies, Jason was a student of Michael Haithcock, Jeffrey Grogan, Jerry Luckhardt, Dr. Patrick Jones and Dr. Larry Vanlandingham. He has performed with the Baylor Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Jason is a veteran of Drum Corps International's Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps from Casper, Wyoming.

During his undergraduate studies Jason became quite interested in arranging, and subsequently, formal composition. His initial arrangements were well-received and he soon found himself inundated with requests; his catalogue of performed arrangements is quite substantial. During this time, Jason also began composing original works of varied instrumentation, and was encouraged by his professors and colleagues to continue exploring this developing talent.

Mr. Nitsch recorded his first film score in the summer of 2000, "Passing By", a film by David M. Chandler and G. Kent Rabalais. In 2005 Bandworld Magazine selected "Ferris Wheel" for its list of the top 100 new publications for band in 2004 and selected "One the Banks of the River Shannon" for that honor in 2006 and American Visions in 2008.

Jason's original works, commissions and arrangements include performances with The Chicago Brass Choir; Dr. Kevin Chairizzio, Professional Trombonist; Arizona State University; Baylor University; The University of Minnesota; Ole Miss University; and Syracuse University. His music has been performed across the United States, Europe, Australia and Canada.

Mr. Nitsch's commissions have also been featured at the 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Conventions in Chicago, Illinois.

Professional affiliations include the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a former Resident Member of the Center for the Promotion of Contemporary Composers (CPCC), World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA), and the Percussive Arts Society (PAS).

Although he enjoys the creative outlet available to him through composition, Jason remains committed to his lifelong dream of teaching music. He is currently the Associate Director of Bands at Klein Collins High School, having taught previously at Deer Park High School in Deer Park and Dulles Middle School and Lake Olympia Middle School, both of which are in the Fort Bend Independent School District in Sugar Land, Texas.

He currently lives in Spring, Texas with his wife Nicole and daughters Ainsley and Payton.