Wingspan (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: Sapphire Band Series
Level: 2 | Duration: 2:50

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score

Flute
Oboe [optional]
Bassoon [optional]
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
Bass Clarinet
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 [4 drums], Suspended Cymbal
Keyboard Percussion: Bells, Xylophone
Percussion 1: Snare Drum, 2 Low Toms
Percussion 2: Bass Drum, Vibraslap
Percussion 3: 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.