Composer Kimberly Archer
Kimberly Archer and Maggie
Fanfare Politeia by composer Kimberly Archer is a highlight of our Winter 2023 program. This will be Northshore Concert Band’s first performance of this work.
Dr. Archer describes this work:
Kimberly Archer with Col. Jason Fettig of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C
"Fanfare Politeia" was commissioned by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, to be performed at President Joe Biden's inauguration in January 2021. Because of COVID and some issues with planning that particular inauguration, they were not able to ask me about this until January 1, 2021, giving me only about one week to compose the music and provide all the parts! That was quite a challenge but fortunately, I was on winter break and able to just stop everything and work on this fanfare. They also asked that I choose a title and program notes that were not partisan. Basically, the Marine Band doesn't do politics; they only do "America." So, even though the title of the work sounds like word "politics," it actually only refers to concept of democracy. (It's pronounced like "Princess Leia.")
Kimberly K. Archer is currently serving as Professor of Composition at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. She teaches composition, orchestration, analysis, counterpoint, and music theory. Past appointments include Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Western Carolina University in North Carolina, and Southeast High School in Florida. Dr. Archer holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University, a Master of Music in Composition from Syracuse University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin. Her teachers include David Maslanka, David Gillingham, Andrew Waggoner, Donald Grantham, and Charlie Carter.
A specialist in music for winds and percussion, Dr. Archer has been commissioned by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Illinois State University, Florida State University Summer Music Camps, Florida Bandmasters Association, International Women’s Brass Conference, and consortiums of university and high school ensembles around the country. Her music has been performed throughout the United States, at events including the 59th Presidential Inauguration, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) International Convention, Regional conventions of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), national conventions of the National Flute Association, and state conventions of the Nebraska State Band Association, Oklahoma Music Educators Association, and the National Band Association-Wisconsin. She joins iconic composers Leonard Bernstein and John Williams in the lauded list of composers who have penned works for the executive branch.
We contacted Dr. Archer and asked her to share with us her journey in music, musical influences and inspirations, and words of advice that she has for young musicians.
Please tell us a bit about your journey in music and in life.
I started band in 6th grade and played the trumpet. I really had no musical training before then. I went to college at Florida State University believing I wanted to be a high school band director, but early on I had also started making up little tunes and eventually writing them down. By the time I actually got to college, I was already composing for band. My band directors encouraged that, and when it turned out I wasn't completely happy being a band director, myself, they encouraged my going back to school for composition. Once I got into graduate school, I started connecting with other composers who helped me get started with commissions and being published. Now I'm a composition teacher at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, and I'm the one helping younger composers get their start. Being a teacher is very busy, so I mostly do my composing over weekends and breaks, but I've been able to keep up. It's fun to be on this side of the table now, helping other young composers get started.
Kimberly Archer and Pat Dunnigan, Director of Bands at Florida State University.
What have been some of your musical influences?
My college band directors, Pat Dunnigan and Jim Croft, were incalculable influences. They shaped a lot of my work ethic as a composer. As a young professional and into my middle career, composer David Maslanka was a close friend and a powerful influence, as well.
Please share a bit about your favorite musical memory.
I attended a College Band Directors National Association convention in Denton, Texas, in 2000. In two different concerts, I sat next to my own college band director, whom I had not seen in several years. One concert was the premiere of David Maslanka's Symphony No. 5 (David and I had only just met at that time), and the other was the premiere of David Gillingham's Cantus Laetus. I was absolutely blown away by both of those performances. I was so excited to be part of the profession in that moment, resolved that I was going to get to know both of those composers a lot better. I was also grateful that my own beloved mentor and friend had been present with me for the experience.
What is on your Spotify playlist or in your music library?
I like a lot of alternative and folk music: Pete Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary, Simon and Garfunkel, the Indigo Girls, etc. If I'm more in the mood for art music, I tend toward Maslanka, as well as a lot of the standards in the band repertoire.
Which composer/musician — past or present — would you most like to meet for a coffee and why?
I've always wished I could meet Clifton Williams, who was one of the stalwart composers in 1950-1980 (ish) band music. He's sort of my composition grandfather, in that I once studied with a student of his. His music is interesting to me and nobody else seems to have come close to imitating his style. He also championed writing for the band when it was a lot more politically dangerous to do so in a university music faculty, where "of course everyone knows" that "real" composers write for the orchestra. It still is a little risky sometimes, but nothing like what he had to endure. I'd love to hear some of his stories about that firsthand.
What inspires you?
It's different for every work. I do tend to have some kind of programmatic element in my mind while I work, like a story or a visual image, even if I don't indicate what it is in the title or program notes. For Fanfare Politeia, the process was so rushed I didn't have time for that, really. The inspiration was how much I wanted my voice to be included in the inauguration!
David Maslanka, Kimberly Archer, and Steve Steele.
What do you do to relax
Seriously, I love to nap on the couch, snuggling with the dog. I'll sometimes carve out time during my workday to just close my eyes and let my brain downshift into neutral for a bit, even if I have to do that at my desk. This really clarifies my thinking and lets me recharge. I like to read, mostly fantasy and sci-fi, and play with my dog.
Do you have any advice for young musicians?
Even more now than in the past, your network is critical for establishing yourself professionally. Your friends and mentors will be the ones who help you find a job, find the right private teacher, get a commission or publication, etc., etc., etc. It's important to reach out to established professionals whose career path or work interests you, and thus build relationships with leaders in your field. You just never know who from your circle will come up to help at a critical moment.
Please share any thoughts that you may have about the Northshore Concert Band.
I first learned of the Northshore Concert Band as a graduate student studying the history and development of the concert band. This is an excellent, longstanding ensemble with an illustrious history of first-rate conductors, guests, and performances. I'm honored to be included on their program.
A special thank you to Kimberly Archer for speaking with us and giving permission to reproduce this material. Please visit her website kimberlyarcher.squarespace.com to learn more about her and her work as both a composer and a teacher.
A LIFETIME OF MUSIC
Sunday, February 19, 2023, 3:00 pm
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, Illinois
Learn more about the Northshore Concert Band at www.northshoreband.org
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