Space Travels (Band Gr. 1.5)

Follow the journey of building a rocketship and blast off with Space Travels! Beginning band students will be able to experience contrasting melodies with extra-musical techniques such as pencil-tapping and vocalizing, plus the addition of the unusual sound of the theremin (easily accessible on an iPad) to add a fun new sound for younger performers.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: Amethyst Band Series
Level: 1.5 | Duration: 3:30

Instrumentation
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe [optional]
Bassoon [optional]
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

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

Timpani [2 drums]
Glockenspiel
Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Bass Drum
Percussion 2: Triangle, Crash Cymbals
Theremin (app or Synthesizer)

Program Notes
Space Travels is a story about going to the unknown, the final frontier more commonly known as outer space, and the wonder and excitement of the journey to get there. The building of the rocket and the challenges scientists and engineers struggle and overcome together. The countdown and the excitement to see the rocket begin to liftoff from the ground and the blast of heat and fire from the jet engines. The speed and thrill of the g-force the astronauts feel as the rocket is flying through the sky and starting to break the atmosphere. As the rocket’s thrusters start to break away from the rocket it floats through the dark abyss of space; waiting, silent, cold. Then, the secondary thrusters kick on and the astronauts take the lead and begin their journey through the unknowns of outer space. Exploring new nebulas and making discoveries. What an adventure!

Space Travels was premiered by Barrington Middle School (N.H.) 5th/6th Grade Concert Band on March 12, 2020, conducted by Mr. Mattsen Bradbury-Koster.