6 minutes
4
Wind ensemble instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute 1, 2, Oboe 1, 2, Bassoon 1, 2, 3 Clarinets in B-flat, Bass Clarinet in B-flat, Alto Saxophone 1, 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, 3 Trumpets in B-flat, 4 French Horns, Trombone 1, 2, Euphonium 1, 2, Tuba, 2 Percussion* *Snare Drum, Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals, Marimba, Tubular Bells
November 17, 2018 by the Fresno Pacific University Symphonic Band, Eric Leung, director.
Commissioned by a consortium of wind ensembles.
Fresno Pacific University Symphonic Band, Erik Leung, director
Patrick Dunnigan (5-part flex arrangement); Matt Fowler (saxophone septet arrangement)
I never saw snowfall as a child growing up in Southern California; it was more a phenomenon that I saw in cartoons or read in children’s books.
I did, however, witness my first ash-fall when I was in elementary school. I looked up into the clouded sky and saw specks of ash falling from it. Excited but puzzled, I looked to my elementary school teacher during recess and held out my hand. “Oh, that’s ash from the wildfires,” she said. At that time, I couldn’t comprehend how an enormous forest fire could create a small flurry of ash-flakes.
Now I have the ominous understanding that something so magical and beautiful comes from something so powerful and destructive.
Versions are available for wind ensemble, 5-part flex ensemble, and saxophone septet.
Saxophone septet perusal score
