The Rising Storm -Concert Band-

This is an original composition for concert band. This song is inspired by Journey of Man by Cirque du Soleil. Composed in 2009.This piece starts out with a main theme played by all instruments with a 2/4 measure triplet rhythm. The song then advances into sweeping phrases by the horns and trumpets with clarinets playing the main theme in the background. Low brass provide a steady rhythm as saxes and flutes play a rising and falling eighth-note counter-melody.Eventually the song regresses and gets quieter but remains the same tempo. After the alto sax solo, the song suddenly gets more aggressive with a powerful brass quarter-note line. Then, the music slows down and gets softer.After the fermata and silence the trumpet solo opens to the slower section. After the solo, horns and clarinets play a peaceful melodic line as the oboe and saxophone join in. Then the flutes repeat the melody which finally ends with the low woodwinds. Saxes and horns start building the intensity until finally the main theme is played again by everyone. The song swells with energy and forcefulness to the very end.

The Rising Storm -Concert Band-

I really like this piece. It reminds me of Robert W. Smith's "Into The Storm" lovely pice. Anyway, You have some great ideas here, and I can tell it will be an ensemble favorite as long as a pleasure to hear live.

Some of the things I did not particularly care for were the following: Several sections throughout the piece the woodwinds are either in unison or broken apart in octaves. Why don't you try harmonizing those parts instead. This would bring much more flavor to the piece and make it even more of a treat to listen to. On those sustained notes during the first trumpet solo of the slower section, instead of having the woodwinds all play the same not, why not create chords that help portray what the solo is saying. Also, with a piece like this there is so much you could do to enhance it. Why not some obnoxious horn/sax or some large cymbal rolls/crashes to show that the storm means business.

Just my take.

Good Work however!

Very taut and concentric work. Wastes no notes and no time. I do want to hear it again, but I want to focus on MichaelAlex's comment about parts in unison or broken octaves, as well as harmonizing the wind line. This sounds similar to what I did as a teenager in some of my works.

We learn as we continue to write, and improve on what we did. You have a flair for the dramatic, and a nice ear for orchestration. Keep it up...I like what I am hearing.

Nice work! It does sound a lot like Robert W. Smith in some places, but this piece would probably sure be the height of a concert! Keep it up, and nice piece!

I agree with what's been said so far, you have very nice writing and you keep my attention from beginning to end with all the fast packed force and action. I think that some of your instruments need to be put to better use however, as some instruments double another for the entire piece, never getting a solo line. I'm not saying give each instrument a solo, just don't double it all the time. Otherwise, I thought that you harmonized all your sections great, and your orchestration was awesome!

On a side note, you 'The end of autumn' sound file doesn't work.