John Stevens

Hodesanna

Hodesanna was composed, with generous support from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School, in 2012-13 for the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, faculty ensemble-in-residence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I was the tubist in that group from 1985 to 2014. The work was written in loving memory of Jeff Hodapp, my friend and former student, who passed away tragically in 2009 at the age of 52. Jeff was known to all his friends as 'Hodes'; thus the unusual title of the work which is a variation on the word of jubilation 'Hosanna'. Jeff was a tubist and bass player who enjoyed performing a wide variety of music. In his honor I chose to showcase the tuba as soloist while capturing Jeff’s spirit and love of music with an array of five musical styles (Bop, Waltz, Tango, Elegy, Blues).
John Stevens, Madison, WI USA, April 2015

Hodesanna was premiered in spring 2013 by the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, and the composer as soloist.