Finding Metropolis (Band Gr. 4.5)

A reflection of an urban lifestyle as well as a musical representation of heroic optimism, Finding Metropolis is a thrilling setting of musical ideas from the composer’s time studying in the United Kingdom under renowned wind band composer Adam Gorb.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: Ruby Band Series
Level: 4.5 | Duration: 5:30

Instrumentation
Transposed Score (11"x17" spiral bound)

Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
Contrabassoon (optional)
E-flat Clarinet (optional)
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contralto Clarinet (optional)
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet (optional)
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
B-flat Euphonium T.C.
Tuba

Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1: Marimba (4-octave), Suspended Cymbal, Bell Tree, Brake Drum
Percussion 2: Snare Drum, Glockenspiel, Woodblock, Splash Cymbal
Percussion 3: Triangle, Floor Tom, Crash Cymbals
Percussion 4: Bass Drum, Kick Drum (optional)

Program Notes
Originally composed in 2016, Finding Metropolis is both a reflection on my first time living in the busy environment of a city center as well as an examination of “heroic” musical sounds and the optimism they communicate. The music also echoes many of the musical experiences during my time at the Royal Northern College of Music, including bits of orchestration and musical ideas from both teachers and students of the school. At the time of composing the piece, I decided to take small fragments of music that stuck with me as I listened to student performances to fill out the colors of the piece. The music is entirely written by me, but is deeply inspired by colleagues and teachers during my time at the RNCM.

This piece’s 2026 revision is dedicated to my private teacher during my time at the RNCM, Adam Gorb. Adam is a phenomenal wind band composer whose influence profoundly shaped my transformative experience at the school. He also assisted in finding a group for the world premiere of this piece at an honor band in the U.K. conducted by my conducting instructor Mark Heron. I’ll always view the experience of that period of time as a primary source of encouragement for my musical life.

– L.G.