Eric Tinkler

MUSIC 518
2/26/19
Wind Band Literature Review

Concert #1
New Era Fanfare - Randall Standridge
On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss - David Holsinger
Witch and the Saint - Steven Reineke
Snarl - John Mackey
Americans We - Fillmore arr. Fennell

Concert one displays a wide variety of music in both style and difficulty. Starting with ​New Era
Fanfare​ allows for students to start the concert with confidence and style, the piece which is
grade 2, consists of a driving feel throughout and prominently features all parts throughout the
music, and ends with a bang. ​On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss​ provides a stark contrast to the fast
opener by being very slow, melodic, and has a lot of rubato. Connecting the students to the story
behind the hymn will allow for an in-depth and powerful musical experience. The ten-minute
tone poem, ​The Witch and the Saint​ will challenge students both technically and musically but
the varying sections throughout the piece will provide the band an opportunity to display a wide
range of dynamics, style contrast, and musical shaping. ​Snarl​ by John Mackey is sure to be a
song that keeps both the students and audience on the edge of their seats with the exciting use of
multiphonics and flutter tonguing. While it has simpler rhythms overall, the piece is very
powerful and written for the United Sound program that helps students with special needs play in
ensembles across the nation! The classic march, ​Americans We​ is a truly exciting way to end any
concert in typical American March style.
 Concert #2
Two Fanfares 1. Anniversary Fanfare - Jay Gilbert
Sarcophagus - Leslie Gilreath
British Eighth March - Zo Elliot arr. Hillard
Yorkshire Ballad - James Barnes
Where the Black Hawk Soars - Robert Smith

Anniversary Fanfare ​presents a fast and short piece that is perfect to open any concert. The
syncopated rhythms, moving solo lines and extended percussion techniques will challenge
students but allow them to develop a strong internal pulse to keep up. The mysterious and
ominous piece, ​Sarcophagus, ​provides an instant mood switch from the bright opener. This piece
centers around a ritualistic chant to bring the dead alive. The use of chants, whispers, and other
effects will be fun for both the students and the audience. The music while rhythmically not
challenge will ask students to be independent with their lines and understand the story of the
piece. We then shift to ​British Eighth March,​ which provides a fun and enjoyable British style
march. A British style march demands a much lighter style than an American march and will
help teach students of music around the world. The strict articulations will keep students
constantly working to achieve the correct style. James Barnes’ ​Yorkshire Ballad​ is a beautiful
piece about the rolling hills and countryside of Yorkshire. This song allows for a lot of rubato
from the conductor and will get the students to be constantly watching. Blend is another vital
musical aspect with this slower tune and the flowing melodies passed around will provide a
wonderful opportunity for building musical phrases. Finally, we end with ​Where the Black Hawk
Soars​ which is a fun and fast-paced piece that is meant to represent the imagery of a soaring
hawk. The piece incorporates a woodwind ostinato pattern and the same melodic motif
throughout. Lots of big brass moments and fun in the percussion and ends the concert with a
bang!
 Concert #3
Manatee Lyric Overture - Robert Sheldon
Horkstow Grange - Percy Grainger (arr. Sweeney)
Cajun Folk Songs - Frank Ticheli
Foundry - John Mackey
Citation March - Claude T. Smith

Concert three starts with a bit heavier of an opener. ​Manatee Lyric Overture ​Starts with a bright
fast-paced introduction and then throughout the piece it provides a wide variety of styles and
articulations. The Woodwinds will definitely get a good finger work out from the various runs
within the piece. The piece ends with a strong, fanfare-like ending. ​Horkstow Grange​ is a
timeless classic that will challenge the students’ musical interpretations and independence. The
use of Grainger dynamics will teach students that they need to be constantly aware of the passing
melodic lines and understand the overarching theme of a phrase. ​Cajun Folk Songs​ is a fun and
challenging piece by Frank Ticheli that draws inspiration from various folk songs. The piece
uses a variety of odd meters such as 5/4 that requires both the conductor and students to always
feel the underlying subdivision. The next piece will prominently feature the percussion section as
John Mackey’s ​Foundry​ requires up to twelve percussion parts and uses an unusual set of
instrumentation with “found” percussion. The percussion section and the band will love this
fast-paced and powerful piece and the audience will love the uniqueness. We finally end with
Citation March​ by Claude T. Smith. This march maintains strong forward motion and is in a
typical American march form. The shifting of the melodic line between sections gets everyone
involved and the strong ending will leave a big impression on your audience.
 Concert #4
Triumphant Fanfare - Richard Saucedo
Loch Lomond - Frank Ticheli
Passages - Michael Sweeney
Bugler’s Holiday - Leroy Anderson
Stars and Stripes - Sousa

Overall concert four has a lot more challenging literature but this will inspire the students to
work harder because the final product of all these will produce a strong concert. The opener,
Triumphant Fanfare​ is fast and exciting and keeps the entire band active. The shifts between
styles and articulations (accented vs slurred) and the key signature, will keep the students
actively engaged in the music-making process and start the concert with a statement. ​Loch
Lomond​ provides a shift to scenic Scotland in this slow and legato style masterpiece by Frank
Ticheli. Inspired by a traditional Scottish Folk song, this piece invokes a singing style with the
tune changing between sections. Ticheli later introduces “Danny Boy” and the two melodies of
“Loch Lomond” and “Danny Boy” interlock with each other and forces the band to be constantly
aware and listening for not just one, but two melodies. ​Passages​ by Michael Sweeney is a
personal favorite of mine to perform and to listen to. The piece is based on a Celtic style melody
with characteristic percussion. The piece centers around a main melodic motif that get passed
around through the piece and prominently feature a saxophone soloist in the middle section.
Leroy Anderson’s ​Bugler’s Holiday​ is a very popular piece in the wind band rep and is
incredibly fun to play and bring in several guests or feature your own trumpets. The fast pace
style of the piece will keep the band on edge and constantly having to understand when they are
playing with the trio. We end this concert by going to America’s March, ​Stars, and Stripes
Forever​ which is the best way to end any concert with a bang.
 Concert #5
Momentum - Brian Hogg
Amazing Grace - Frank Ticheli
Children’s Suite - Alfred Reed
With Quiet Courage - Larry Daehn
Allied March - Karl King

Concert five starts with the driving piece, ​Momentum​. This piece is loosely based on sonata form
(great teaching opportunity) and features a recurring theme used throughout the piece.
Additionally, it presents a lot of rhythmic challenges to students such as syncopation, meter
changes, and odd meters. We then shift into a powerful arrangement of ​Amazing Grace​ written
by Frank Ticheli. Most everyone in the ensemble and audience will have a powerful connection
to this song and the orchestration Ticheli has created will have the band constantly pulling and
pushing. The piece will have every member contributing independently and incorporating their
musical ideas to the larger ensemble. ​Children’s Suite​ by Alfred Reed will feature an alto
saxophone soloist. The piece is aiming for a child-like feel which will be tasking your band with
playing light and delicately. Playing with a soloist will provide a new experience to the students
and add another layer of listening and understanding the music. Larry Daehn’s ​With Quiet
Courage​ is a powerful and beautiful piece that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats
and leaning in. This piece, while not technically challenging, will ask for a lot of musicality from
your students and deep dynamic contrasts. Finally, we end on ​Allied March​ by Karl King. This
short and fast-paced march will invoke the thoughts of the circus and keeps the entire band
playing throughout the piece and will end the concert in an exciting way.