Witching Hour, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Randall Standridge

Randall Standridge


General Info

Year: 2014
Duration: c. 6:20
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Grand Mesa Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $85.00; (digital) - $85.00   |   Score Only (print) - $12.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Synthesizer
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Castanets
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Ratchet
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-Tam
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Wind Chimes
  • Wood Blocks (2)
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This macabre work for concert band musically illustrates the time of night when dark forces gather to celebrate and do their mischief. Four connected quarters of the piece are all announced by "Big Ben" chime statements, and include "The Gathering", "Spells and Incantations", "The Witches' Dance", and "The Witches' Flight". The composer's talent for creating dramatic and exciting music is clearly displayed in this bewitching new concert band work.

- Program Note from publisher


The Witching Hour is a programmatic work for concert band which musically illustrates the time of night when dark forces gather to celebrate and do their mischief. In this piece, midnight is chimed, signaling the beginning of the terror filled night. Once the hour is chimed, “The Gathering....” begins, as the witches fly on their broomsticks to gather in the hollows of a darkened wood. As the second quarter hour begins, the witches invoke their powers during “Spells and Incantations.” The witches begin to celebrate their dark ritual in the third quarter hour “The Witches Dance,” a macabre parody of a waltz that begins to spiral out of control. The witches’ celebration is interrupted by the final chiming, as they rush back to their lairs during “The Witches Flight.” The piece ends with the clock chiming one.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources