Review

Thomas W. Zugger
In Time - A McGinty Farewell:
alto, four tenors, bass

Columbus, OH, United States
Publisher: Zuggermusic.com
Date of Publication: 2007
URL: http://www.zuggermusic.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 6 trombones

Thomas W. Zugger is currently Associate Professor of Trombone and Euphonium at Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus, Ohio. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and a DMA in trombone performance from The Ohio State University. As a published composer and arranger Dr. Zugger’s works are regularly performed by artists nationally and internationally and have been featured at both the International Trombone Association and International Clarinet Association’s annual conventions. His compositions are published by Brixton Publications, TAP Music, Warwick Music, Timber Ridge Publications, the International Trombone Association Press and zuggermusic.com. 

In Time was composed January 1, 2007 and premiered later that month by the Capital University Trombone Choir at an Indiana Music Education Conference. It was written in honor of the composer’s mother, Virginia Schwan Zugger, who passed away in July 2006. Her mother’s name was Lina McGinty, part of Dr. Zugger’s half Irish heritage. In Time is an Irish air composed from memories of the lullabies the composer’s mother sang to him when he was a child. He refers to it as a song of love and loss. It is a simple but evocative melody similar in spirit to Londonderry Air (Danny Boy). The arrangement repeats the melody several times with slightly different scorings and accompaniments. Arranged for six trombones, the alto part can be performed by an inexperienced player on that instrument, as it makes no excessive technical or range demands. The scoring works well, avoiding all the problems that are sometimes associated with writing for multiple trombones. Technically within the grasp of good high school players, it is musically appropriate material for all levels of performers.

-Karl Hinterbichler
University of New Mexico