Under a Star-Filled Sky 11x17 FINAL

Under a Star-Filled Sky
(2023)
Mark Surovchak

PROGRAM NOTES
Under a Star-Filled Sky was composed during the spring of 2023 and is meant to be a gentle, lyrical
piece, reflective of spring and summer nights sitting outside and appreciating the beauty that lies
above in the night sky. There’s an element of peace that one can experience through nature’s
wonders, and oftentimes I find myself looking at the artwork in the sky in amazement. Simple
pleasures and nature’s beauty at its best.
PERFORMANCE NOTES
This piece was composed with young band development in mind, with focus primarily on lyrical
development. Being gentle in nature as a piece, the dynamics should match the “feeling” of simple
beauty. The loudest dynamics do not need to feel overpowering in any way.
BIOGRAPHY
Mark Surovchak (b. 1979) is a music educator and freelance musician residing in the South Hills
area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He received a bachelor of science degree in music education from
Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2002 and a master of music degree in percussion performance
from The University of North Texas in 2004.
As a performer, he has had the opportunity to perform and record with the Keystone Wind Ensemble
(Dr. Jack Stamp, conductor) on multiple occasions. Additionally, Mark has been part of the
Pittsburgh Creators Project Board of Directors, a nonprofit organization in the Pittsburgh region
whose mission is to promote Pittsburgh artists of all concentrations. Since the summer of 2021, the
Pittsburgh Creators Project has hosted multiple summer reading sessions in order to provide young
composers in the Pittsburgh region full recordings of their music.
Mark has been an instrumental music teacher in the Belle Vernon Area School District in Belle
Vernon, Pennsylvania since 2004, where his position currently includes teaching instrumental music
performance to students in grades 7 - 12. As a creator and composer, much of the writing that he has
done has reflected his experiences in public school music education, with a few pieces written
specifically for his students. Performances of his music have ranged from elementary, middle and
high schools to the university and professional level.
Outside of music, Mark is an avid cyclist and enjoys exploring western Pennsylvania and east coast
trails on two wheels.

Score
Under a Star-Filled Sky
Mark Surovchak
(2023)
Flute
= 72
Oboe
Bassoon
Clarinet in B 1
Clarinet in B 2
Bass Clarinet
Alto Sax 1
Alto Sax 2
Tenor Sax
Baritone Sax
Trumpet in B 1
Trumpet in B 2
Horn in F
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Piano
Chimes
Glockenspiel
Vibraphone
Bowed
Marimba
Percussion 1
Percussion 2
Wind Chimes (slow movement)
Triangle
© 2023 Mark Surovchak. All rights reserved.

Fl.
Ob.
Bsn.
B Cl. 1
2
7
rit.
Under a Star-Filled Sky
a tempo
B Cl. 2
B. Cl.
A. Sx. 1
A. Sx. 2
T. Sx.
B. Sx.
B Tpt. 1
7
B Tpt. 2
Hn.
Tbn.
Euph.
Tuba
Timp.
Pno.
7
7
Chm.
7
Glk.
Vib.
7
Mrb.
Perc. 1
Perc. 2
7
Suspended Cymbal

Fl.
Ob.
Bsn.
B Cl. 1
B Cl. 2
B. Cl.
A. Sx. 1
A. Sx. 2
13
= 72
div.
Under a Star-Filled Sky
17
3
T. Sx.
B. Sx.
B Tpt. 1
B Tpt. 2
Hn.
Tbn.
Euph.
Tuba
Timp.
Pno.
Chm.
Glk.
Vib.
Mrb.
13
13
13
13
13
(Euphonium cue)
Perc. 1
Perc. 2
13
let ring
Suspended Cymbal
let ring

Fl.
Ob.
4
19
a2
Under a Star-Filled Sky
div.
Bsn.
B Cl. 1
B Cl. 2
B. Cl.
A. Sx. 1
A. Sx. 2
T. Sx.
B. Sx.
play
B Tpt. 1
19
B Tpt. 2
Hn.
Tbn.
Euph.
Tuba
Timp.
19
Pno.
19
Chm.
19
Glk.
Vib.
19
Mrb.
Perc. 1
19
Perc. 2

Fl.
Ob.
Bsn.
B Cl. 1
25
a2
27
Under a Star-Filled Sky
5
B Cl. 2
B. Cl.
A. Sx. 1
A. Sx. 2
T. Sx.
B. Sx.
B Tpt. 1
B Tpt. 2
Hn.
Tbn.
Euph.
25
Tuba
Timp.
25
Pno.
25
Chm.
25
Glk.
Vib.
Mrb.
25
Perc. 1
Perc. 2
25
Suspended Cymbal
let ring

Fl.
6
31
Under a Star-Filled Sky
div.
Ob.
Bsn.
B Cl. 1
B Cl. 2
B. Cl.
A. Sx. 1
A. Sx. 2
T. Sx.
B. Sx.
B Tpt. 1
31
B Tpt. 2
Hn.
Tbn.
Euph.
Tuba
Timp.
31
Pno.
31
Chm.
31
Glk.
Vib.
Mrb.
31
Perc. 1
31
Perc. 2

Fl.
Ob.
Bsn.
37
38
a2
Under a Star-Filled Sky
7
B Cl. 1
B Cl. 2
B. Cl.
A. Sx. 1
A. Sx. 2
T. Sx.
B. Sx.
B Tpt. 1
37
B Tpt. 2
Hn.
Tbn.
Euph.
Tuba
Timp.
Pno.
37
37
Chm.
37
Glk.
Vib.
Mrb.
37
Perc. 1
Perc. 2
37
BD
Suspended Cymbal
let ring

Fl.
8
43
Under a Star-Filled Sky
div.
Ob.
Bsn.
B Cl. 1
B Cl. 2
B. Cl.
A. Sx. 1
A. Sx. 2
T. Sx.
B. Sx.
B Tpt. 1
43
B Tpt. 2
Hn.
Tbn.
Euph.
Tuba
Timp.
43
Pno.
43
Chm.
43
Glk.
Vib.
Mrb.
43
Perc. 1
Perc. 2
43
Suspended Cymbal
let ring

Fl.
Ob.
49 Reflective
49
Under a Star-Filled Sky
a2
div.
rit.
9
Bsn.
B Cl. 1
B Cl. 2
B. Cl.
A. Sx. 1
A. Sx. 2
T. Sx.
B. Sx.
B Tpt. 1
49
B Tpt. 2
Hn.
Tbn.
Euph.
Tuba
Timp.
49
Pno.
49
Ped.
Ped.
Ped.
Ped.
Ped.
Ped.
Chm.
49
Glk.
Vib.
49
Mrb.
Perc. 1
49
Perc. 2

Fl.
Ob.
Bsn.
B Cl. 1
B Cl. 2
B. Cl.
A. Sx. 1
A. Sx. 2
T. Sx.
B. Sx.
B Tpt. 1
B Tpt. 2
Hn.
Tbn.
Euph.
Tuba
Timp.
Pno.
Chm.
Glk.
Vib.
10
55
55
55
55
55
a2
div.
Under a Star-Filled Sky
div.
Ped.
55
Mrb.
Perc. 1
Perc. 2
55
Suspended Cymbal
Wind Chimes (slow movement)
let ring
Triangle
(no roll)