Majestico Overture (Concert Band)

[Stenir]

Here's a piece I've started work on. It's going to be the usual A-B-A format, hopefully not hard enough that younger groups couldn't play it (which is why, although the tonal center flips between Eb major and Eb minor, 3 to 6 flats, I keep it in 3 flats with accidentals), and it's in 12/8.

Things I'm still missing:

1.) Filling out the Oboe part. I would normally have it with the woodwinds, but the melody is a bit low at the Clarinets' octave and a bit high at the Flute's octave. Hmm. Suggestions are welcome.

2.) More percussion. I was thinking of a tambourine (as an afterthought) with the wood blocks...I'm planning on using them in the middle section of what I have, around measure 39, under the woodwinds.

3.) I'm thinking of changing the offset of the Woodwinds and Brass from a full measures to only half a measure. The Woodwinds would then answer on beat 7 of 12 (or the third beat if you count 12/8 in 4) instead of the first beat of the next measure of the phrase.

4.) Did I mention I hate the mp3 renderer of Finale? (Oh, and there's some extra space at the end of the mp3 file because Finale doesn't notice the empty measures...)

[zman]

Hi James. It's an excellent piece, and I commend you for writing accessible concert band music, as most high school students in the US get their musical training and experience from playing in bands. You're not only writing music, but providing pedagogical material.

Here are my initial observations:

1. The oboe part starting at bar 17 can easily double the flute. That is by no means an uncomfortable register for the instrument. Another option would be to have the oboe play the flute part, and have the flute play an octave higher thereby doubling the piccolo. That solution, however, puts the flute in it's highest register, and may not be comfortable for an intermediate-level player. You know of course, that most bands will have an entire section of flautists, so some could play in the lower octave, and others (the more advanced ones) could play in the upper. Either way, I would'nt worry about having the oboe play the part that is currently in the flute.

2. Yes, more percussion, and lots of it. I definitely hear tambourine and wood block, an occasioanl cymbal roll, bass drum, and there's a great place for the gong. I could give you very specific suggestions if you would like. I directed a high school band for a number of years, and I can tell you that there is always a battery of percussionists eager for something to do. Don't leave them out of the excitement!

3. I'm not sure I understand your idea here. Do you mean, for instance, that in bar 20 you would slide the brass statement of the main subject material in bar 21 to coincide with the 3rd beat of bar 20? If so, I think it's a good idea - it makes things less "square," but it would entail some rewriting.

4. The mp3 file is good enough to get a sense of the piece while you're following the score. You can fiddle endlessly with midi files trying to get them to sound better and better but in the final analysis, nothing takes the place of real live human beings.

I have a few other little suggestions if you're interested, but I don't want you to think I'm completely picking apart your piece. It's really quite excellent.

Cheers, John

[Stenir]

What I mean is that the brass start on beat 1 of measure 21, and the woodwinds answer back on beat 3 of measure 21.

So measure one of the main melody would be played like this:


Measure 21, Beat 1:
Woodwinds - N/A
Brass: Beat 1

Measure 21, Beat 2:
Woodwinds - N/A
Brass: Beat 2

Measure 21, Beat 3:
Woodwinds - Beat 1
Brass: Beat 3

Measure 21, Beat 4:
Woodwinds - Beat 2
Brass: Beat 4

etc.


It will be easier to show this graphically.


For the next section, the "B" section, I'm thinking a 3/4 section, slow, following a similar melody. Not certain how I'll kick it back into the same feel for the return to the "A" section.


The best music I push out is for concert band. I've been involved in concert bands since I was in the 4th grade, and I've been composing and writing for them since the 8th. So, I think I've got about ten years of it under my belt, and you are correct, the best way to know if something works is to have real people try it.

[zman]

Ah OK, I see what you mean now. That way you'll get a canonic effect between the winds and brass starting at bar 21. My opinion is definitlely YES. I'm only imagining it in my head at this point, but so far it sounds very effective. Of course, it means a bunch of copying and pasting, but such is the life of a composer.

I'm glad to hear that you are going to write a B section and recapitulate the opening. It's very exciting music, and I for one don't want to hear it end so soon.

It's also obvious that you are very experienced in band music, probably moreso than myself. Looking forward to the rest...

Cheers, John.

[Boneman]

Originally Posted by Stenir

Here's a piece I've started work on. It's going to be the usual A-B-A format, hopefully not hard enough that younger groups couldn't play it

Hi!

What kind of grade/age people are you looking to play this piece?

[Stenir]

Honestly, no clue. I try not to have a certain grade or age with which to compose, because then I have a habit of sacrificing the composition just to make it "easier" for them to play.

[Boneman]

That is commendable, however as a composer surely you want to hear your work live?
If you write something that can only be mastered by a few there is less chance of it being performed and you will find that the people that write the tricky stuff have the market all sorted out!

[Stenir]

If it comes down to the "nobody-in-their-right-mind-would-play-it" situation, there's always the easy transposition option (taking it from Eb tonal to C or the such).

I usually finish a piece, then try it out, then see if there are certain things I can change to make it better. First things first: gotta finish it.

[Majesty]

Hi Stenir,

Nice piece you have. I do think the addition of more percussion is an excellent idea. I also like the idea of adding more music. It did seem to end a little too soon.

[Stenir]

My main question for you all is whether you think the melody is too much. I doubt it is, but what do you all think? I'm going back and trying to make this something that would rival the Star Wars theme in its energy. I think you all will agree Majestico Overture has alot of energy so far, but does the melody have too much energy against the chords in the background?