Lift Off!

Hop on the plane, it's time to fly! This short suite of descriptive pieces takes the ensemble on a brief ride through the sky. Hear the sounds of the engine starting, the take off, the beauty and solace of the clouds from above, the nervousness of the descent, and the excitement and joy of arriving at our destination. Lift Off!

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 2 | Duration: 4:35

Instrumentation
1st Flute
2nd Flute/Oboe
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet*
Eb Alto Saxophone*
Bb Tenor Saxophone*
Eb Baritone Saxophone*

1st Trumpet
2nd Trumpet
1st F Horn
2nd F Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
TC Baritone
Tuba

Percussion 1 (snare drum, glockenspiel)
Percussion 2 (snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, suspended cymbal)
Timpani

Piano*

Parts marked with an asterisk (*) are NOT ESSENTIAL, although their presence will obviously enable a fuller realization of the composer's intention to be achieved.

Program Notes
Lift Off! is a short suite of descriptive pieces, all inspired by a short flight from Manchester, England to Brussels. In the first movement we hear the engine start, and after the plane has moved into position, it takes off.

The second movement depicts the beautiful view of the clouds from above. It all seems timeless and you don't even feel as if you are moving. The last movement starts nervously (I'm not a great flier!), as the plane begins its descent from the sky. However, as we land safely back on earth, the piece ends in a flurry of excitement and triumph, returning to a theme heard in the first movement