Wingspan (5-Part Flex Band Gr. 2)

Prepare to take flight with a young, fledgling bird as they are nudged out of the nest for the first time. Wingspan is an adventurous work for developing band that is filled with soaring melodies and rhythmic excitement as we all learn to fly – from nest to blue skies to stormy weather and back. Your percussionists will thank you for their active, engaging parts!

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: SpectraFlex Band Series
Level: 2 | Duration: 2:50

Instrumentation
Transposed Score (showing all transposed parts)
Condensed Score (in "C")

Adaptable Parts
(2 copies each of all parts for each listed instrument)
Part 1: Flute, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet, B-flat Trumpet
Part 2: B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet, Alto Saxophone
Part 3: B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet, Alto Saxophone, F Horn
Part 4: Tenor Saxophone, F Horn, Trombone/Euphonium/Bassoon
Part 5: Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone, Trombone/Euphonium/B-flat Bassoon, Tuba, Double Bass

Percussion Parts
(2 required plus 3 optional parts)
Timpani [optional], Suspended Cymbal
Mallets [optional]: Bells, Xylophone
Percussion 1 [required]: Snare Drum, 2 Low Toms
Percussion 2 [required], Bass Drum, Vibraslap
Percussion 3[optional]: Tam-Tam, Triangle, Woodblock

Program Notes
Prepare to take flight with a young, fledgling bird as they are nudged out of the next for the first time. Wingspan is an adventurous work for developing band that is filled with soaring melodies and rhythmic excitement throughout. It opens as the mother bird encourages the fledgling out of the nest with unison, stumbling rhythms in the winds supported by thunderous drum strikes. The young bird quickly learns to gracefully soar through the air, gaining more confidence with every flap of its wings. However, dark clouds and lightning flashes descend causing panic in the fledgling bird and mother. Thankfully the storm is short-lived and they’re able to complete this maiden voyage and triumphantly return to the nest.

The SpectraFlex Series
Originally developed during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 to face the reality of socially distancing within our ensembles and to, therefore, create wind band literature that could be performed by a varied combination of instruments, the SpectraFlex Series has serendipitously filled a void in our catalog. This series for adaptable wind band features 5 to 6 parts (plus optional percussion) across the pitch spectrum of a traditional ensemble. Each part is transposed for multiple instruments, allowing for some flexibility.

Whether we are in a global crisis or normal times, there are ensembles around the world that do not have access to all of the instruments in traditional wind band music. This series is the perfect remedy. It is filled with pieces that have been adapted from existing works in our catalog that were originally written for full concert band, string orchestra, percussion ensemble, and more. Additionally, there are pieces that were written specifically for the series by composers at the height of their craft.