Music by DANIEL DORFF |
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Blast Off! for Narrator and Orchestra |
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| Duration: c. 9½'
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(Picc)2(EH)22(Cbn)-4331 Timp 3Perc Hp Strings Travelogue of a child's journey to outer space - episodes feature various sections of the orchestra to add music educational value. DETAILS COMMISSIONED by Lockheed Martin and the Haddonfield Symphony (Symphony in C) PREMIERED by the Haddonfield Symphony, Daniel Hege conductor, featuring NASA Astronaut Kenneth Reightler, Jr. as narrator. PERFORMANCES also include Philadelphia Orchestra and many others. SCORE LAUNCHED INTO SPACE on the 100th Space Shuttle! TEACHING/CURRICULUM USE: Serves as a story-based introduction to the characteristic sounds of each family of orchestra instruments. Also ties in with interdisciplinary learning. STORY has been approved by NASA Astronauts! FEATURED on League of American Orchestra's www.playmusic.org educational website. RECORDED on Bridge Records by Symphony In C conducted by Rossen Milanov, featuring Ukee Washington as narrator. Over 100 performances! HEAR the Bridge Records recording. SEE (or BUY) the full orchestra score. Orchestral score and parts are on rental from Presser. PROGRAM NOTES BLAST OFF! is a narrated travelog of a trip to space. It can be narrated by a real astronaut or any other storyteller. The audience gets to yell "5-4-3-2-1, Blast Off!" when it's time for the launch. Several scenes in BLAST OFF! use instrumental groups within the orchestra - for example, the woodwind section portrays Martians, and the brass section depicts the brilliant sun. These groups may be featured in pre-concert preparation of young audiences as an educational introduction to the orchestra and to the performance. BLAST OFF! was commissioned by Lockheed Martin Technology Services for the astronaut Kenneth Reightler to narrate with the Haddonfield Symphony. Following the premiere, the score to BLAST OFF! was launched into space on the NASA Space Shuttle, STS 100. |
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last updated May 9, 2026
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