Straits of Mackinac (flex), The

From Wind Repertory Project
Josh Trentadue

Josh Trentadue


This work is the third and final movement of Trentadue's "The Michigan Triptych."


General Info

Year: 2017 / 2020
Duration: c. 4:00
Difficulty: III+ (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: T.U.X. People's Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $70.00 | Score Only (print) - $26.00

Instrumentation (Adaptable Ensemble)

Full Score

Part 1

  • Piccolo
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • E-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • Soprano Saxophone
  • Violin I

Part 2

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

Part 3

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • Alto Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Horn in F
  • Viola

Part 4

  • Bassoon
  • Tenor Saxophone
  • Horn in F
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Violoncello

Part 5

  • Bassoon
  • Bass Clarinet
  • Baritone Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Bass Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba
  • Double Bass

Additional Instruments (optional)

  • Piano
  • Keyboard Synthesizer
  • Guitar
  • Harp

Timpani (optional)
Percussion (optional), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Hi-Hat
  • Marimba
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tom-Toms (2)
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Vibraslap


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

One of Michigan's most popular tourist attractions can be found at the beautiful, luxurious area of Mackinac Island. Attracting thousands of people every summer, the natural wonders of this place and its hidden spectacles are a sight to behold, offering something new to everyone who travels there.

The Straits of Mackinac is such a musical venture, evoking the journey to the island via ferry with the rich and vibrant colors of the concert band as its palette. The first theme for this trip conjures up a sweeping palette of colors and sounds full of spirit, adventure, and wistfulness. Matched by a second theme characterized with even more yearning, the excitement and energy begins to grow as the ferry draws nearer to the island. Harmonic tension is matched with rhythmic excitement and layered textures of melodic fragments, contrapuntal statements, and percussive action. All of this builds to an exciting conclusion and the promise of a great adventure at Mackinac when the ferry finally arrives to its stop.

- Program Note by composer


Performance Notes

The Straits of Mackinac has been arranged for five-part adaptable ensemble -- the score is in C. Any combination of instruments at your discretion, as long as they each fulfill the five different parts, can be used to perform this work. I am happy to provide any additional instrumental parts fulfilling another role at your request (ex: Bass Clarinet on Part IV instead of V).

I highly encourage you to experiment with this piece's orchestration. Use what available resources you have and get creative with color and texture (example: if you have an Electric Bass, or even an electric string quartet or quintet, use it! Go wild!). Use these experimentations as a learning tool for how color and texture can change with even the smallest difference in orchestration (example: have the flutes play a melodic passage alone, then another high group of voices such as clarinet and/or soprano saxophone if available. What are the differences in timbre? Does it affect the mood or emotion of the piece? How, if so?). To that end, use this adaptable-ensemble version of The Straits of Mackinac as an endless sea of experimentation and creative possibilities for you and your students, no matter what the performance situation or instrumentation may be.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

None discovered thus far.


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources