Prehistoric Suite, A

From Wind Repertory Project
Paul Jennings

Paul Jennings


General Info

Year: 1987 / 2006
Duration: c. 5:40
Difficulty: I (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts - $45.00 | Score Only - $5.00


Movements

1. Stegosaurus
2. Brontosaurus
3. Pterodactyls
4. The Battle (Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops)


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone/Baritone Bass Clef
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Antique Cymbal (or Triangle)
  • Anvil
  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Gong
  • Snare Drum
  • Vibraphone (or Bells)
  • Wind Chimes (or optional other "ethereal sounds"")


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

A very programmatic work that draws on the graphic images that come along with the best known prehistoric animals: dinosaurs. Introduces musical concepts that would not normally be in younger players' vocabularies, including non-triadic harmonies, simple clusters, modal melodies, short optional solo passages, non-traditional percussion instruments and a brief aleatoric section.

I. Stegasaurus (The Gladiator). In this modal processional march, most harmonies are built around open fourths and fifths.

II. Brontosaurus (Gentle Giant). A depiction of the giant walking around. There are trombone glissandi and many crescendo and descrescendo notes as the creature's giant feet shake the ground.

III. Pterodactyls (Graceful Giants of the Sky). While the individual parts are simple, this 3/4 movement contains more independence of voices that is traditionally found in Grade I works. Contains two short optional solos for trumpet.

IV. The Battle (Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops). The first two measures are aleatoric. Students are directed to play random notes for 16-20 seconds, starting low and soft and becoming higher, faster and louder. Tone clusters make this section very dissonant.

- Program Note from score


Media

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


State Ratings

  • Indiana: ISSMA JUNIOR BAND GROUP III
  • Kansas: II
  • Maryland: I
  • North Carolina: II
  • South Carolina: II
  • Tennessee: II
  • Virginia: III
  • West Virginia: I


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources