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Morgan Higgins
MUSIC 417
Dr. Wimmer
27 September 2017

Wind Band Literature Review

Chase the Shouting Wind (2014)

By: Vince Gassi (b. 1959)
Alfred Music Publishing, $78.00
Opener, 4 minutes

Summary:
This is a more difficult piece of music and is marked as such. The meter changes and fairly
simple rhythmic patterns provide an opportunity for the ensemble to better master changing time.
The soaring melody gives a sense of flying to the listener, true to the title. By giving the higher
and lighter instruments a repeated eighth note pattern, Gassi is able to create the idea that clearly
represents the wind and sky. The majestic line of the brass section enhances the experience. The
piece does a good job of putting the sensation of flight into song.

Con Brio (2012)

By: Ralph Ford (b. 1963)
Alfred Publishing Belwin Division, $72.00
March, 3 minutes

Summary:
Con Brio is everything you would expect a march to be. The composer notes that the piece
should be no slower than 120 bpm and no faster than 132 bpm, giving the piece a rather brisk
tempo. The element that stood out to me particularly about this piece in particular was the
interesting lines for the lower brass. It seems to be difficult to find interesting lines for tubas to
play and this piece certainly isn’t boring. The melody used for the Trio of this march is “The
Maple Leaf Forever,” a traditional Canadian anthem that was composed in 1867 by Alexander
Muir.

The Grey Dawn is Breaking (2017)

By: James Meredith (b. 1952)
Carl Fischer LLC, $95.00
Ballad, 5 minutes

Summary:
This piece truly exemplifies lyrical, expressive ballad. A grade 3 piece that is beautiful and not
too difficult for an intermediate to advanced middle school wind or concert band. The melodic
line is passed between many different instruments so nearly everyone has the opportunity to be
the focal point of the piece while also getting to work on playing beautifully as more of an
accompaniment feature. The dynamic builds throughout the piece until coming to a climax a
little more than halfway through the piece. The tempo is such that even smaller note values
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should be easy for less experienced players to master. A beautiful piece of literature through and
through.

Anthem For Peace (2016)

By: Ed Huckeby (b. 1948)
CL Barnhouse Company, $74.00
Ballad, approx. 4 minutes

Summary:
Another ballad that would be suitable for an advanced middle school concert band or perhaps
beginning level high school ensemble. The rhythms are not terrible difficult but the long, legato
lines create beautiful swells. The entirety of the piece must be played with emotion to be
effective. The alto saxophone solo in the middle gives students the opportunity to highlight a
soloist or perhaps the saxophone section as a whole. The lyrical piece is full of beautiful, unique
harmonies and flowing melodic lines.

Sinfonia VI: The Four Elements (1982)

By: Timothy Broege (b. 1947)
Manhattan Beach Music, $135.00
Multiple Movement/Biggie, approx. 6 minutes
Mvt. 1 – Wind
Mvt. 2 – Earth
Mvt. 3 – Water
Mvt. 4 – Fire

Summary:
Timothy Broege’s Sinfonia VI is truly a great representation of the elements, which is not
surprising given the subtitle that it received in 1995. The movements can be described, in order,
as melancholy, playful, somber, and boisterous. This is a more advanced piece and it requires
more musical maturity so I would suggest it for advanced developing middle school and high
school ensembles. The piece is also found on many state repertoire lists, which speaks volumes
in terms of the quality of the piece.

Variations on a Kitchen Sink (1992)

By: Don Gillis (1912-1978)
Wingert-Jones Publications, $55.00
Novelty, approx. 4 minutes

Summary:
This piece is a novelty piece through and through. As a grade 4, it is a little more on the difficult
side. However, I think students would get a kick out of using kitchen utensils to create music.
Using things outside of traditional instruments or music making tools brings a new, creative
aspect to a piece and gets students’ brains working in a more unconventional and unique ways.
Pieces like this are also fun and ignite the imagination. Novelty pieces are a big reason why
students continue in music programs.
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Rephrygeration (2016)
By: Todd Stalter (b. 1966)
Alfred Music Publishing, $78.00
Closer, approx. 3 minutes

Summary:
This piece is more on the challenging side, so I would lean towards giving it to a more advanced,
high school ensemble. The tempo is relatively quick; the piece proceeds with a fervor like no
other. The piece as a whole is very rhythmic and it will sharpen students’ rhythmic skills,
especially percussionists. The woodwinds and brass music be very nimble and weave in and out
of the texture. The piece is exciting and dramatic from start to finish, making it a great closer.

The Seal Lullaby (2010)

By: Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)
Hal Leonard Corporation, $95.00
Ballad, approx. 4 minutes

Summary:
Eric Whitacre’s pieces are all compositional genius. Seal Lullaby is a beautiful ballad. The piece
has been arranged for Concert Band as well as in multiple choral settings. It is based off of the
text of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “White Seal.” The peace is driven by expression and mimics a
mother rocking her child to sleep. This work, like many of Whitacre’s, is full of dissonances and
resolutions, as well as some brilliant and beautiful melodic lines.

Shenandoah (1999)
Arranged by: Frank Ticheli (b. 1958)
Manhattan Beach Music, $135.00
Ballad/Folk Song, approx. 6 minutes 30 seconds

Summary:
Shenandoah is a classic, American folk song that is popular in both instrumental and choral
music. Ticheli’s arrangement of this well known piece, captures the American spirit and
promotes free expression in the ensemble. Ticheli arranged the piece intending it to be timeless
in nature, as the rolling river is timeless in its “life-affirming energy.” The piece grows from
quiet and contemplative to brilliant and full. A great piece, and one that all middle and high
school band students should play at some point.

Baba Yetu (2015)

Music by: Christopher Tin (b. 1976)
Arranged by: Douglas E. Wagner (b. 1952)
Alfred Publishing Belwin Division, $70.00
Novelty (Video Game Soundtrack), approx. 3 minutes 30 seconds

Summary:
Baba Yetu is a brilliant piece of music. The original score was nominated for a Grammy and has
been done in both Concert Band and choral settings. The piece is brilliant and the growth is
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continuous throughout the piece. Solo opportunities are quite common, or you could choose to
have entire sections play them. This piece, a grade 3 selection on JW Pepper, is one I think that
students would enjoy. Not only is it beautiful, but it is from a a video game. And what kid
doesn’t enjoy video games?