"Preludes, Marches, and Dances"

Concert Band

A few excerpts here... apologies for it being electronic (couldn't find the premiere recording)

This work is a set of variations on an original chorale theme I composed. It was commissioned by my Crane School colleague and friend, Michael Tiskowitz, for the LaGrange Middle School 8th Grade band.

The theme is presented like an old-school church chorale, similar to those you can hear in Bach cantatas. After that, the tempo picks up and the first variation evokes the idea of a British military band march. Next comes variation 2 with a minuet featuring the saxophone section which then leads into the mysterious third variation where the low brass builds chords and flutes and clarinets float over the top like fairies in a dark forest. After the mysterious section, the mood changes dramatically as a tango bass line begins in the low woodwinds. Soon after, the percussion section presents a variation in the tango style and is joined by trumpets and other winds in completing it. Finally, another variation in the style of a triumphant march, this one more reminiscent of Sousa, completes the piece.

"Preludes, Marches, and Dances," was premiered in the Spring of 2013.

Scores

Preludes, Marches, and Dances

Concert Band Score and Parts (PDFs) $70