Untitled Concert Band Piece

I wrote this piece yesterday and I'd really like some feedback on it. I have yet to name it because I'm horrible at coming up with creative names. Anyway, tell me what you think about it, what I should change/do better, etc.
Untitled Concert Band Piece

Hello, First of all I wanted to say I really enjoyed this piece. Just from looking at the score I can tell you are skilled in writing! However, just some things to make a note of. I really don't think you wrote this for a specific level, which is something that should be done when writing for younger bands. This would be a very doable grade 2-3 piece (depending on where you live) but some things make it unmarketable for that level for example, you have a few high pitches in the brass, mainly horns and trumpet that would be difficult to perform at that level without sounding shrill or forced. (I understand this could be said about my piece, but that was specifically written to be an advanced lyrical piece for high school early college.) Also, I would suggest to not modulate to G major as that would be too difficult of a key for that level. One more thing: those little licks in the flute/oboe at 64 bother me when you have the oboe in the upper register while the clarinets are resting. They could do perform this easier and possibly with better intonation. Also, (this is minor) but your mallet staffs should go above percussion. Great job however! I thoroughly enjoyed it, no b.s. It reminded me a lot of the works of Brian Balmages or other similar composers! Very nice you use percussion and great writing throughout! Congrats! also, feel free to review mine or any other pieces! Thanks for sharing! Michael (:

I actually made this with my high school's highest band in mind. I realize the range on many of the instruments is extensive and it is meant to do that. Rhythmically, it is an easy piece because I wanted it to be something easy for an upper level band in case my director allows me to perform this at our spring concert which is only a few weeks away. Also, the G major is something else that will make it a little more challenging for them just to make it more interesting on the performers part. For that oboe part, I almost put it down an octave from that, but I'm not positive on an oboe's low range (I play brass instruments, not woodwind) and Sibelius turned the low C red to signify it was out of range. I didn't put the clarinets there because I don't want too many people playing that part. And thanks with the mallet staff thing, I'm not a percussionist so I have no idea what goes on down there! Anyway, thank you for everything and I'll definitely be making some minor changes from your advice. Thanks, Josh

Cool! I thought you wrote this without a particular ensemble in mind and whatnot, because if you did you'd basically have an unmarketable piece that is too difficult for beginners and too easy for intermediate-advanced players, but since it was written for your ensemble I understand that. As for the Oboe, they can play down to the low Bb with ease. However if you'd want to keep that part slim with I'm guessing 3-8 flutes I would suggest scrapping it from the oboe completely and making it first flute/first clarinet and maybe even second depending on the instrumentation of your ensemble. Just a thought! One more compliment, after listening to this piece i noticed the percussion sounded very marching-band like. I like it. was this intentional?

one more thing. this is really minor, and don't think I'm nitpicking because I really love the piece, but the flute staff indicates there are two parts, no need to write div above each split part. and you didn't even have a second oboe part, so I'm guessing this is a template? Sorry it just kind of bugged me don't take it personally! great work!

I think I'll just make it flutes and first clarinet on that part and maybe have the lowered oboe. With the marching band feel, I'm not sure that was intentional but I've spent the last four years of my life around marching bands and drum corps and this is the first year since I started high school that I'm not marching in any marching band or drum corps to prepare for the move to college and I already really miss it. Its definitely a part of my life that I can't let go of so I think it's just showing through into the music I write. And that second oboe part isn't supposed to be there haha. I created the instruments before I knew what I was going to write just guessing what I'd use and I must have forgotten to take that off. Also, many of the staves have dual parts and a lot of those have many a due moments then split off and thats where I write div. on it. Should I just have double stems through everything and not worry about the a2 and div? Anyway, thanks a lot for the positive comments too!

JMan1293, on 11 April 2011 - 10:13 PM, said:

Double stems aren't even necessary unless the rhythm of the parts break up to where there are two different rhythms on one staff, although some composers use double stemming, i've been told it's frowned upon because it makes it slightly difficult for the conductor. But it's honestly a personal choice! As for the a2, it's only necessary after a solo or any similar notation. Div is only necessary when you have one staff marked "Flute" or "Tuba" yet you have two pitches written, this is usually found in pieces written for larger ensemble settings, I write for wind ensemble. However since you have (Flute 1-2 Sax 1-2) clearly notated (In a VERY neat score I might add, Sibelius?) the div isn't needed at all.
I hope this helped! Check out my new piece when you get a chance!
Thanks!

Yes, its Sibelius and thanks! I'll check our yours when I have time

Greetings,

My review will be a little short considering MichaelAlex pretty much touched on a lot of the things I was going to say. This is a nice first piece that demonstrates your abilities as a composer. Do you compose mostly for wind band? After listening to this piece, I got a marching band feel from it. My only real problem with this composition is that the thematic material wasn't really developed. You kept using the same material to progress the piece. I could understand if you were going for a minimalistic approach to this composition, but this doesn't seem to be the case. Granted, there was some material that was different than your main material, but it wasn't developed fully. I would working on trying to develop material and even coming up with counter melodies to this other material. I like your use of percussion in the piece. That's all I have for now. Please continue to compose music and you can guarantee I will continue to review your works. Like MichaelAlex said, give a listen to the works by other composers on this forum. You'd be surprised by the talent...Especially MichaelAlex's.

Peace,

C.L. Winston