A Show for Marching Band

Okay, so I'm arranging a show that is actually based on the music of older video games. So, I ask that you don't discredit the music due to the source material, but rather listen and look at the quality of the arrangement at hand.

Presently I only have the intro, which is approx. one minute long, and is music of the Zelda series.

A few notes:

1. Synthesizers will be utilized to make sounds of strings and a choir, and possibly more later on.

2. There will be NO drumline. I am strictly writing this piece for pit. Purists may called me a heathen for this, but I'm going in the mode of how Tarpon Springs does it. An amazing pit more than makes up for what may be a mediocre drumline.

3. I know I could probably clean up the score some.

4. Easy to play intro. The rest of the show will get much more complex.

So, here goes:

http://www.tindeck.com/audio/fileshack/u/utra-Zelda1R4.mp3 MP3

Score attached.

Zelda1R4.pdf

OK, well.

Flute solo...will be hard to hear up from the judges point.

Really short to be even one movement of it....

Edit: it is miked (flute solo).

OK, well.

Flute solo...will be hard to hear up from the judges point.

Really short to be even one movement of it....

Edit: it is miked (flute solo).

It will be one of say, 5 or so movements in the show. Typically the introduction hit has to occur within the first minute so that the fans/judges don't lose interest. There will be a transition into the second movement so it flows, I don't like to do the start/stop thing.

Watch your scoring for low brass, especially at the 4/4 Moderato.

The tbone 2 and baritones are scored really low and it will sound muddy. My humbe suggestion:

Tbone1: C

Tbone2: A

Baritone: F

You obviously want power at the end. This will help you achieve it.

Word.

A few thoughts:

1) heathen! not that a drumline could fit in too well in this intro anyway :)

2) i love the source material - i hope zelda isnt considered too old

3) i like the arrangement - sets you up well, for what is to come

Post more, it'll be interesting to see how you lace the parts together

Hi I'm new here, but I thought I'd leave a comment or two.

I was very skeptical about Zelda music because usually for marching bands i'm against using video game/movie/theme music but I like your arrangement. It has a nice contemporary marching band sound to it and isn't cheesy. I know you seem to be against the drumline idea but if you ever wanted to put drumline parts in, I could definitely see them working! But thats totally up to you.

As far as this being the first movement, my suggestion would be to refer to this as the "Intro". Mainly because it is so short. Don't get me wrong it's a great setup and a nice impact but I agree with some of the people above that said it may be just a little too short for an entire movement...again up to you though.

you have a great start to a show! nice work!

Jeff