Faith and Fortitude

Written during a challenging time in Julie Davila’s life, “Faith and Fortitude” uses a thematic structure of five notes representing the five letters in the word “faith.” Likewise, quintuplets are a rhythmic theme used throughout the piece. This large percussion ensemble contains a wide sonic palette where the pitched and unpitched instruments often share the roles of theme, ostinato, and embellishment.

“Faith and Fortitude” requires a large percussion section with a full instrument inventory. For schools that have the resources it contains some valuable pedagogical opportunities. The glockenspiel and chime parts are a lot less involved than the other mallet parts and are a good option for beginning players. Likewise, the timpani part isn’t overly difficult and would be a good opportunity for a student needing more experience. More advanced students have the opportunity to play fast four-mallet marimba parts, or experiment with vibraphone dampening.

This piece has changing meters and provides a good opportunity for students to get comfortable with switching between simple and complex meters. The quintuplets occur throughout, both as eighth notes and sixteenth notes. “Faith and Fortitude” is not easy, but at just over four minutes it is structured in a way to make it a doable learning experience for players who have some reading background. It would be a good choice for an advanced high school or undergraduate percussion ensemble wanting to work on quintuplets, changing meters, and polyrhythms in ensemble playing.

—Marilyn K. Clark Silva
Percussive Notes
Vol. 61, No. 2, April 2023