- Description
Instrumentation
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet 1
Clarinet 2
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Horn in F
Trumpet 1
Trumpet 2
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (Optional)
Piano (Optional)
Timpani
China Cymbal is used on timpani in mvt. 3
Percussion 1
Tom-toms, Triangle, Maracas
Percussion 2
Bass Drum, Timbales
Percussion 3
Suspended Cymbal, Tam-tam, (String bass bow is used in mvt. 3)
Mallet Percussion 1
Glockenspiel
Mallet Percussion 2
Xylophone, Vibraphone
Program Notes:
Monsters! was written over a period of 3 days in the summer of 2015. I challenged myself to write a work for band at the grade 2 level, and to write one movement a day. The result was Monsters!
I. Big Foot
II. Nessie (Loch Ness Monster)
III. Aliens
Big Foot starts with the whole band almost yelling “BIG FOOT!” followed by a scream. As the giant walks away, the hunters’ theme is heard by solo voices as they move about the woods searching. All of a sudden we get a good look, and scream in terror!
Nessie is most likely a remnant of the dinosaur era and is probably a plesiosaurs. Her head, 4 flippers, and tail make 6 moving parts, so this movement is in 6/4 time – depicting her graceful motion under water. However just before we see her, she disappears beneath the surface forever.
Aliens come in many different varieties, but these ones are here to abduct us! After the UFO lands, they come out looking for the perfect specimen before taking off in their flying saucer. In the stillness, we are left alone not sure what we just saw – but we are definitely not alone.