Easter Pre: Were You There?

A standard brass quintet with optional trumpet for horn. As one might expect the piece is cheerful from beginning to end. It opens with rhythmic patterns where the first statement of the tune is presented by the trombone. The chorus is harmonically in block format where it comes to an end. NOW, something different the second trumpet and tuba present a simple accompaniment while all the other voice, yes voices, sing the words and melody of the song! A brief conclusion, a modulations and the piece returns to the texture of the earlier statement. The a bit of tongue and check statements and a very conclusive ending.

A woodwind quintet with opt. parts for Alto Sax and Bass Clar. This piece presents itself with a sense of joy throughout with the introduction itself in a motivic manner setting the tone. The melody is fragmented, passing the tune around to the various voices. The middle section mirrors the introduction in texture and again passes melodic material around the different voices. The final section is more subdued until it starts stacking the motifically structured parts until it ascends to a dramatic conclusion.

(opt sextet)

A traditional brass quintet with opt. trumpet for horn and extra baritone for use as a sextet. The piece takes off immediately with a thematic statement in the trombone, breaking in a duet with the horn. Additional entries keep massing in the lower voices until most of the ensemble is involved. All of a sudden, the upper brass, silently present the tune in block harmonies until the lower brass present a countermelody. Now! Everybody’s involved. Next, a dialog between the upper brass and middle brass takes place as it alternates back and forth. With a modulation in place the tempo goes slow, the tune is in the lower brass- expressive! All of a sudden from bottom to top motives are presented- in stacked chords…. This goes through different transformations until the piece elevates into an uplifting conclusion.