How Firm A Foundation

A woodwind quartet for Flute, oboe, and two clarinets with optional parts for flute and alto sax. Plus a set of fifth parts for bassoon or bass clarinet can allow for the piece being a quintet. The first statement is in the clarinets where it leads into a full ensemble passing the lines amongst the parts. A delightful little segue leads to a modulation where the tune is in the lower lines alternated with flourishes in the flutes. This Alternating texture carries on for some time. Then the tempo picks up for a vibrant exclamation where the theme is once again bantered about where it makes one final boast and concludes.

A traditional brass quintet with an optional baritone part which allows to be a sextet as well. The beginning is active establishing a happy beginning to the piece. Then all the parts are in straight harmonies and then become fragmented. A modulation takes place allowing the lower voices to carry the tune. Then a tuba sola solo commences with light upper parts decorating the lines, until the parts fragment. This concludes with a modulation with motivic statements. After a brief intermission the piece takes off again with the tune in the lower voices and the trumpets add a flurry descants. As the piece comes to a close more and more voices add to the mix until the pieces adds a solid, grand statement.