Wind Band – Shekinah

November 9th, 2011

Even while being mostly half and whole notes, this composition for wind band can be extremely challenging. The wide spacing of perfect intervals at exposed moments between instruments of different families demands that the wind band have an acute sense of intonation in order to have a pleasing performance. Also, in order for this wind band composition to be effective, it must be noted that the climax of the music is intended to be at mm. 21 and not at the very end. It cannot be stressed enough how massive the sound of the bass drums needs to be at that moment. If a cannon were practical I would have notated for that to be used as well (if you’re able to use one, feel free). By climax, I mean to say what will be perceived as the loudest and most exciting moment for the average listener. After this happens, the rest of the work is to sound so other-worldly that the strangeness causes discomfort and awe. The end can be taken as a climax of emotion and the other a climax of power.

Download Score and Parts (pdf) – $39.99
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The download includes 8.5×11 and 11×17 versions of the score.

Sample score and parts

This wind band composition is a programatic work based on the text of Exodus 33:18-21 in which Moses said to God “Now show me your glory.” God proceeded to hide Moses in the cleft of a rock, put his hand over Moses as he passed, and then allowed Moses see His back. The sound in the beginning depicts a distant radiance as the Almighty approached. When the sound becomes as big and radiant as possible, the massive bass drum hit is the hand of God coming down to hide Moses in the rock. This is followed by the full radiance of God seeping through the cracks between God’s hand and the rock as He passes by. At last, the end of the piece depicts God lifting his hand from the rock and letting Moses see His back. It would be an other-worldly and terrifying experience to perceive the holiness of God in this way.


Wind Band – Stifled Mystery

October 26th, 2011

Stifled Mystery was written in collaboration with a good friend of mine who is a band director and music educator. It is designed to be a challenging and lengthy work for high school wind band. However, it can of course be played convincingly by a collegiate wind band as well. Being approximately eleven minutes long, this work is intellectually demanding on both the wind band and its audience.

Typically, I write with an extra-musical agenda in mind. This piece, however, was written with no specific meaning until the latter stages of development. I decided on the title when I realized that it sounds as if the music is attempting to say something very profound. However, the meaning is being blocked from view by something within myself. While this can be enjoyed simply as a series of pleasing sounds put together, there is a deeper meaning that demands to be sought. It is difficult to seek this meaning, but we must because it is life changing. That said, this wind band piece hauntingly reminds me of my own reaction to the Gospel of Jesus in my darker moments. Throughout this work you will hear a theme that will not be fully revealed until the end of the work. Listen to the main theme as it weaves itself into the texture and tries to tell you the mystery for what it is.

The Mystery has the power to preserve life

We’ve forgotten that we die

 We’ll seek the meaning tomorrow…

This video is only a sample of the work. Click here to listen to full recording.

Download score and parts (PDF) ($114.99)
 Foreign Currency? Click Here.

Sample scoreSample parts

The download includes 8.5×11 and 11×17 versions of the score depending on you preference and/or accessibility to a large enough printer.

Additional information

Difficulty: Grade 3 or 4

Instrumentation

Woodwinds:
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Clarinet 1
Clarinet 2
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bassoon*

Brass:
Trumpet 1
Trumpet 2
Horn 1
Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Euphonium
Tuba

Percussion:
Minimum: 4 players
4 Timpani (32” 29” 26” 23”)
Glockenspiel
Marimba (Mrb.)
Vibraphone (Vib.)
Snare Drum (S.Dr.)
Bass Drum
2 Suspended cymbals** (Sus. Cym.)
Crash cymbals (Crash Cyms.)
Tam-tam

All parts should be played by multiple performers at the wind band conductor’s digression.

*In the absence of a bassoon, the part can be played by other instruments as specified by cues that are distributed throughout the ensemble (both parts and score).
**There are several places where the percussionist playing snare drum is required to move between snare drum and suspended cymbal. The two players (snare and cymbal) may share a cymbal if necessary.

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