May 2026
Newsletter No. 5
15/05/26 16:14
Conductor’s Designation and Sodalis are two recent works in this issue of the newsletter that combine contemporary wind band writing with strong musical expression and artistic depth.
Originally written for a graduating class of ensemble and wind band conducting students in Upper Austria, Conductor’s Designation is based on the so-called “conducting chain” — a fundamental conducting exercise using changing meter patterns from one to seven beats per bar. Kogler transforms this educational concept into a compact and effective fanfare-like composition featuring energetic rhythms, transparent structures, and a modern musical language. The work offers ensembles numerous opportunities to demonstrate precision, balance, and musical interpretation.
With Sodalis — the Latin word for “companion” or “fellow traveler” — the composer explores the idea of friendship, companionship, and shared paths. Ceremonial fanfare motifs merge with lyrical and expressive passages, creating a work of warmth and atmosphere. The musical development symbolizes individual journeys coming together as one collective experience, resulting in a highly emotional and rewarding concert piece.
Both works are particularly well suited as set works for concert band evaluations and competitions in Upper Austria in 2026. Their combination of musical substance, contemporary sonority, and effective dramaturgy makes them excellent choices for ambitious wind bands seeking to showcase artistic quality, expressive playing, and stylistic versatility.
Further information about the works is available at Pentharmonics.
Originally written for a graduating class of ensemble and wind band conducting students in Upper Austria, Conductor’s Designation is based on the so-called “conducting chain” — a fundamental conducting exercise using changing meter patterns from one to seven beats per bar. Kogler transforms this educational concept into a compact and effective fanfare-like composition featuring energetic rhythms, transparent structures, and a modern musical language. The work offers ensembles numerous opportunities to demonstrate precision, balance, and musical interpretation.
With Sodalis — the Latin word for “companion” or “fellow traveler” — the composer explores the idea of friendship, companionship, and shared paths. Ceremonial fanfare motifs merge with lyrical and expressive passages, creating a work of warmth and atmosphere. The musical development symbolizes individual journeys coming together as one collective experience, resulting in a highly emotional and rewarding concert piece.
Both works are particularly well suited as set works for concert band evaluations and competitions in Upper Austria in 2026. Their combination of musical substance, contemporary sonority, and effective dramaturgy makes them excellent choices for ambitious wind bands seeking to showcase artistic quality, expressive playing, and stylistic versatility.
Further information about the works is available at Pentharmonics.