Critical Mass explores American patriotism in light of events since the 2025 presidential inauguration. Specifically, it focuses on music’s ability to serve either as a vehicle for performative patriotism or transformative community-building. The musical materials are almost exclusively quotes of or variations on patriotic songs and protest songs written or popularized by white men. Sousa marches in particular comprise a majority of this source material, and they were chosen because of their titles, which include America First, The Charlatan, and more. These musical themes are parodied, juxtaposed, and layered to create a sense of surreal confusion followed by chaos that eventually reaches a tipping point.
Specifications
INSTRUMENTATION: Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet 1-3, Eb Alto Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet 1-3, Eb Contra Alto Clarinet, and Bb Contrabass Clarinet
DURATION: Approximately 8-9 mins
DIFFICULTY: Advanced. The work involves aleatoric elements. No extended techniques are included in the notated music. Extended techniques are optional in the aleatoric sections.
PEDAGOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The work is designed to allow performers to develop their ability to double-tongue, and is informed by pedagogical research conducted by Dr. Grantier.
Consortium Members Receive:
- PDFs of the full score and all parts
- Their name and affiliation listed in the score and on the composer’s website as one of the commissioners of the work
- Exclusive rights to perform the work until Jan. 1, 2027
- A Zoom coaching or consultation with the composer (up to 30 minutes) and/or email feedback on rehearsal recording(s)
Payment
The consortium fee is $400 per member. You can join the consortium by selecting one of the payment options above, adding to your cart, and checking out. If you choose to pay in two installments, payment 1 is due by August 15, 2025 and payment 2 by October 15, 2025. Submitting any payment toward the consortium fee constitutes agreement to the information in the contract, even if a signed copy is not received.
If you need an invoice to process payment, please send all pertinent details to the composer at jessica@jessicarudman.com. An invoice will be sent within one week.
Contract
A copy of the consortium contract can be accessed here. Please download the contract, sign, and return to the composer at jessica@jessicarudman.com.
July 11, 2025 – Lead commissioner and ensemble premiere the work at ClarinetFest
Aug. 15, 2025 – First payment due ($200)
Oct. 15, 2025 – Second payment due ($200)
Delivery of digital score and parts within 2 weeks of receipt of full fee or by Sept. 1 if payment is made in full prior to Aug. 15
Dr. Laura D. Grantier is the Assistant Professor of Clarinet and Woodwind Area Head at the University of Utah. She is the Secretary for the International Clarinet Association (ICA) Executive Board and is also the ICA Utah state chairperson. In 2023, she created the University of Utah Woodwind Day and All-State Band Prep Day. She has appeared as featured soloist with both the U of U Wind Ensemble and Philharmonia. She performs frequently with the Utah Symphony, Intermezzo Chamber Series, and founded the ICA Utah State Clarinet Choir which performed at the 2023 ClarinetFest in Denver, CO. Under her leadership, the U of U Clarinet Choir (@uofuclarinets) made their international debut at the 2024 ClarinetFest in Dublin, Ireland. Artist Residencies and Masterclasses at the U of U include clarinetists Dr. Chris Nichols, Dr. Jeremy Reynolds, Dr. Charles West, Utah Symphony Principal Tad Calcera, Associate Principal Erin Svoboda-Scott, Cottonwoods and Voix des Femmes clarinet quartets, and composers Todd Cochran and Nadine Silverman. She has appeared as a guest artist at the Utah Clarinet Festival, Maryland Clarinet Day, ULL Woodwind Day, University of Alabama Alumni Guest Artist Series, and the University of California Northridge. Recently, Dr. Grantier received a research grant for the U of U clarinet studio to study multiple articulation with Utah Symphony bass clarinetist, Lee Livengood.
From 2021-2022, she was the Director of Woodwinds and Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Southern Utah University. She served as guest conductor at the 2022 SUU Honor Band, formed the SUU faculty woodwind trio, clarinet quartet which performed at the 2022 ClarinetFest in Reno, NV and flute choir which performed at the 2022 NFA conference in Chicago, IL. She also founded SUU Woodwind Day, a one-day student-centered symposium, dedicated to music education through recitals, and masterclasses. Featured guest artists included Dr. Charles West and Dr. Jeremy Reynolds.
From 1995-2021 she was a member of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. where she served as Principal Clarinet, Woodwind Leader, Clarinet Section Leader, and Harborwinds Clarinet Quartet Leader. She performed over 2,250 public concerts, military
ceremonies, education workshops, and high-profile protocol engagements for high-ranking dignitaries, including the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, and Secretary of the Navy.
Prior to her appointment with the United States Navy Band, she pursued a Master of Music at the Eastman School of Music. She has performed with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra, Annapolis, Arlington, McLean, New World, Tuscaloosa Symphonies, and the National Symphony Orchestra. She was principal clarinet of the American-Russian Youth Orchestra, the Capitol Wind Symphony, and is currently principal clarinet of the Virginia Grand Military Band.
Dr. Grantier has appeared as soloist on numerous occasions with the United States Navy Band, including national tours and the 2014 Midwest Orchestra and Band Clinic in Chicago. She was also a featured soloist at the 2013 CMEA conference, the 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019 International Clarinet Association Conferences, 2017 Clarinetissimo in Seattle, the 2009 GMEA conference, the 23rd annual Alabama Honor Band Festival, and the 2022 Utah Clarinet Festival.
In 2012, Dr. Grantier founded Navy Band Clarinet Day, an annual education outreach symposium for clarinet students and enthusiasts. The event provided musical enrichment and interaction with Navy Band clarinetists and guest artists, representing the pinnacle of the profession from the orchestral, band, and academic arenas. For eight years, the symposium was presented in person to 125 participants annually and livestreamed to 23,000 online viewers globally. Past guest artists include Richie Hawley, Sean Osborn, Ricardo Morales, Jeremy Reynolds, Eugene Mondie, Larry Combs, Julie DeRoche, Mark Gallagher, Kathy Mulcahy, Robert DiLutis, and Mitch Estrin.
An active Chamber musician, Dr. Grantier is a member of Darkwood Duo with Dr. Lynn Vartan, Voix des Femmes Clarinet Quartet (@voixdesfemmes.quartet), and Cottonwoods Clarinet Quartet (@cottonwoodsclarinetquartet). New commissions include works by Nadine Silverman, Todd Cochran, Kristian de Leon, and Kyle Pyke.
She earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Alabama, an MBA from Averett University, and a DMA from the Catholic University of America. Her teachers are Scott Bridges, Ken Grant, and Eugene Mondie.
Dr. Grantier is a performing artist for Buffet-Crampon, Lee Livengood mouthpieces, Wes Rice Clarinet Works, and Silverstein Clarinet Works.
