MetaMarch (flex)

From Wind Repertory Project
Steven Bryant

Steven Bryant (arr. Robert J. Ambrose)


General Info

Year: 2003 / 2020
Duration: c. 4:05
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Steven Bryant
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $40.00   |   Score Only (digital) - $10.00


Instrumentation (Flexible)

Full Score
Part 1

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • B-flat Soprano Saxophone
  • Violin

Part 2

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • Violin

Part 3

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • F Horn
  • Viola

Part 4

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Bass Clarinet
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Cello

Part 5

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Bass Clarinet
  • E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Cello

Part 6

  • B-flat Bass Clarinet
  • B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
  • Tuba
  • String Bass

Percussion (optional), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Snare Drum
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

MetaMarch was the third (after Chester Leaps In and ImPercynations, but before Suite Dreams) of my Parody Suite pieces that quote and rework familiar themes from popular works for band. I wanted to create a “march movement” for the Parody Suite, so I chose three familiar marches, Americans We, Liberty Bell March, and National Emblem as source material, and ended up weaving in fragments from Chester Leaps In and ImPercynations to further round out the post-modern, self-referential nature of the piece, all tied together in a (mostly) straightforward march. While including all these various warped quotes, I wanted this piece to still sound like a march. Above all, it’s intended to be humorous – I hope it brings you a smile!

- Program Note by composer


Performance Notes

This arrangement of MetaMarch requires a minimum of six players, one from each of the categories/parts. You may assign them using your best judgement about balance and skill level, and I encourage you to experiment in rehearsal, even with combinations that may not sound particularly good. This can be just as instructive for the musicians. I intend for this version of MetaMarch to be an experimental playground and a vehicle for you and your ensemble (of whatever size and instrumental combination) to experience how music is far more than the notes on the page. I hope that through this exercise, the musicians will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of their choices on how we hear a piece of music, and ultimately that they transfer this awareness to their future musical performances.

There are also optional but recommended percussion parts for up to five players. If you have more than six players, double parts in an equitable manner, and I encourage you to refer to my original band version for instrumentation ideas based on the players you have available to you. Feel free to assign solo moments and adjust orchestration as warranted. Again, I hope you experiment freely in rehearsal and invite your players to make suggestions, switch parts, etc., to gain a deeper understanding of the impact instrumentation, octave placement, and density have on our experience of music. My goal with this adaptation is for the conductor and players to gain deeper insight into how music is put together, and how their intentional decisions are critical in all of their performances. It's about MUCH more than the notes!


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) Wind Symphony (Caroline Hand, conductor) - 9 March 2021


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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