"Serenity" [includes MP3 & SCORE]

Introduction:
"Serenity," written for Orchestra, is a piece I wrote to illustrate the beauty of our world and mankind. It starts off with the choir singing chords as if you were in heaven. Slowly, instruments are added in and leads to two different climaxes. The first climax is based on minor chords and is more dark. The final climax finishes the song with a happy note as if it were at the end of a big blockbuster movie.

Quick Facts:
Duration: 3:03
Time Signature: 4/4
Key Signature: Bb
Instruments: Flute, Oboe, French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba, Violin I/II, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Electric Bass, Choir, Piano, Percussion

about:
"Serenity", written in early 2007, is my third piece made with Finale PrintMusic. The sole purpose of writing this piece was to listen to its playback. That will explain the unecessary use of some instruments and as well as over/under-powering use of dynamics. It took about a year to fully complete this piece. (I put it aside for several months to focus on school). One of the greatest difficulties was balance. It was hard for me to decide how strong I wanted a certain section.

Instrumentation:
Although this is in the Orchestral and Large Ensemble category, I like to classify it as "Other" because it doesn't quite include all the components of an orchestra. Honestly, I used only some instruments because it made it faster to score on Finale. Also, because I don't like the sound of certain instruments although they may be used in typical orchestras. I made this by heavily relying on the piano, choir, strings, and flute and oboe. The french horn was used for counter melody.

LISTEN/SCORE:
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kkching/Serenity4.mp3
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kkching/Serenity 4.MUS

**NOTE: the song is called "Serenity" but the title/name tag is "Serenity 4" because I have 5 different versions of this song; the fourth version being my favorite. I even have a Serenity-Minor version.

I would much appreciate everyone's help in giving their very honest opinion.
Mahalo

I liked the orchestration, reminds me very much of a movie. I thought the melody could of been a little more original, and your music sounds really Asian. Not sure what it is besides the fact that you're Asian. Anyway, (@ 1:05..) Seems VERY much like (@ 0:07) - Finale (A Tribute to 2007)

I'm pretty sure this is just a coincidence. At least I hope so.

Wow, that's so interesting how the piano segment sounds so much alike. Thanks for sharing that with me. But yes, it is a coincidence. It is rather a popular piano line and can be heard in the movie soundtrack "Lady in the Water."

...With oboe, it depends on the player's ability. Oboes can sound like a dying duck, or very beautiful. I'm about half-way between with my playing ability.. O_o...

Sounds good.

Aloha Kevin

This is very similar to Ascension. Are the two pieces part of a larger work, or is the similarities just due to you composing both?

Regardless, this piece is another great showcase of your talent.

Well Done

Ron

Originally Posted by rolifer

Aloha Kevin

This is very similar to Ascension. Are the two pieces part of a larger work, or is the similarities just due to you composing both?

Regardless, this piece is another great showcase of your talent.

Well Done

Ron

Thanks, this is actually a seperate piece from "Ascension," although they share the same idea. The chords are actually different in the pieces. One thing similar is the instrumentation is almost identical. Another thing is, the key in the beginning of "Ascension" (Bb) is the same key as "Serenity." Perhaps one day I could fuse the two songs into one. Only now did I think of that. Thanks very much!

Beautiful man!
It sounds like a lot of work was put into this, however I don't really feel qualified to make any significant suggestions so I'll just say that, as a music listener, I was quite impressed.

This is very good work, very well done!

I find it hard to imagine people sitting in a hall and listening to this, but it would make great movie music, this sounds like end credit music.

Was that what you were going for?

The oboe solo is very beautiful, and creates a melancholic mood.
The use of 16ths in the piano gives a feeling of movement and keeps the piece interesting.

Keep up the good work!

mahalo~!!

Very nice!

I don't really know much music theory so I can't really comment about anything technical, but I must say this is a very emotional and touching piece. I definitely can see this being used in a movie!

Great work!