Alligator Alley

From Wind Repertory Project
Michael Daugherty

Michael Daugherty


General Info

Year: 2003
Duration: 4:20
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: BandQuest
Cost: Score and Parts - $50.00 | Score Only - $10.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboes I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-IV
Horns in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (optional)
Timpani
Percussion (6 players), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bongos
  • Crash Cymbals (2)
  • Maracas
  • Marimba (optional)
  • Tambourine (2)
  • Triangle (2)
  • Vibraphone (optional)
  • Whip
  • Woodblock


Errata

In parts:

  • B-flat Clarinet III, m. 157, beat 2: Should be written A natural. Score is correct.
  • B-flat Trumpet I, m. 164: First three notes should be F natural, final three notes should be E natural. Score is correct.
  • Percussion I-II, m.164-165: Add crescendo from beat one of measure 164 through beat one of measure 165. Score is correct.


Program Notes

Alligator Alley is the nickname for the east-west stretch of Interstate 75 between Naples and Fort Lauderdale that crosses through the Florida Everglades National Park. This park is home to many endangered species, one of them being the American alligator. One might see an alligator along the roadside when driving along this stretch of road.

Michael Daugherty invokes two themes in this piece: the first called the “alligator’s theme” is played at the beginning with bassoons and evokes the slithering nature of the alligator; the second is called the “hunter’s theme” which is performed by the brass and includes sounds of an alligator snapping its jaws with the two pieces of wood struck together.

Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

  • Georgia: IV
  • Louisiana: III
  • Massachusetts: II
  • Michigan: Senior High B
  • Texas: III. Complete


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • California (Sacramento) All-State High School Golden State Band (Christopher M. Cicconi, conductor) – 4 February 2024 (2024 CASMEC Conference, Sacramento)
  • California High School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley (Duarte, Calif.) Wind Ensemble (Walter Simonsen, conductor) - 30 November 2023
  • Washtenaw International High School (Ypsilanti, Mich.) Wind Ensemble (Brooke Pierson, conductor) - 14 November 2023
  • Bemidji (Minn.) State Symphonic Band (Ryan Webber, conductor) - 25 April 2023
  • University of Colorado (Boulder) Campus Band (Lauren Milbourn, conductor) - 17 April 2023
  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) North Star Campus Band (Alexander Berglund, conductor) - 30 November 2022
  • Patrick Henry High School (Roanoke, Va.) Wind Symphony (Alexander Schmitt, conductor) - 28 April 2022
  • Penn State University (University Park) Concert Band (Robert Hickey, conductor) - 6 December 2021>
  • University of Kansas (Lawrence) University Band (John Leonard, conductor) – 2 March 2020
  • Valdosta (Ga.) State University Concert Band (Skye Holmes, conductor) – 18 February 2020
  • Peninsula Symphonic Band (Palo Alto, Calif.) (Ted Henderson, conductor) – 24 November 2019
  • Grand Street Campus Wind Ensemble (New York) (Jeff W. Ball, conductor) – 15 April 2019
  • University of Iowa (Iowa City) University Band (Joshua Neuenschwander, conductor) - 1 April 2019
  • San Luis Obispo County (Calif.) High School Honor Band (Jennifer Martin, conductor) – 13 February 2019
  • University of California, Los Angeles, Symphonic Band (Tyler Farrell, conductor) – 7 December 2018
  • Kent State (Ohio) Symphony Band (John Franklin, conductor) – 7 December 2018
  • Shenandoah Conservatory (Winchester, Va.) Concert Band (Keith Taylor, conductor) – 13 November 2018
  • West Virginia University (Morgantown) Symphonic Band (Jay Drury, conductor) – 13 November 2018
  • Denham Springs High School (Baton Rouge, La.) Concert Band (Carlye Latas, conductor) - 3 May 2018
  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Maroon Campus Band (Cassandra Bechard, conductor) – 30 April 2018
  • Granite Ridge Intermediate School (Fresno, Calif.) Symphonic Band (Jose Vargas, conductor) - 13 April 2018 (2018 San Joaquin Valley (Calif.) Concert Band Invitational)


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


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