Pastoral Scene, A (Band Gr. 3)

A Pastoral Scene is a short, lyrical work that will be an excellent addition to any band’s repertoire. Whether it’s used as a warm-up during practice or as a concert piece at a performance, audiences and performers alike will surely enjoy its serene pastoral atmosphere.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 3 | Duration: 2:45

Instrumentation
Piccolo (optional)
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

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

Timpani (3 drums)
Percussion 1: Glockenspiel, Chimes
Percussion 2 [2 players]: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal

Program Notes
For this work, I set out to write a simple lyrical piece which could be used as a warm up or as a balancing exercise for school bands. There are two musical ideas that comprise the work. The first is the primary theme – a simple lyrical tune in 3/4 time. Although this melody sounds like it could be a Celtic folk melody, it is actually an original tune. The second main idea found in this piece is a motive made up of step-wise eighth note scales. This idea serves as a secondary countermelody to the main theme and as a source of motion in the music. Structurally, the piece opens with an introduction followed by three settings of the main melody, each more grand than the last. After the last setting, the music dies away in a beautiful coda. – Z.D.