The Overture to a Summer Afternoon was composed to celebrate the Peninsula Symphony’s Summer Concerts in the Park, which by 1992 had become well established. It was also written to celebrate the composer’s completion of his dissertation, after several years of arduous research. It was re-orchestrated for Winds soon thereafter. The Overture opens with a brief fanfare, then dives right into a light, playful, summery theme. The fanfare melody is extrapolated by solo Alto Saxophone (or English horn) in a more relaxed section, after which the initial theme returns and the piece closes.
Percussion includes Orchestra Bells, Xylophone, Crash Cymbals, Snare Drum, and Bass Drum.
Harp is optional.
Performances of this piece by winds have taken place at summer concerts in the park type events, and no good recordings are available. For a general idea, please listen to this recording, by the Peninsula Youth Orchestra, Mitchell Sardou Klein, Conductor, from 2010.