Grade 1 / 1.5
The Dragonfly's Journey
Composed in collaboration with the Grade 6 Music class at Quaker Village Public School in 2023.
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​During a period when students were still learning a handful of notes, we were creative in our interpretation of various abstract shapes, converting the images into strange sounds and patterns. The class organized these patterns into a soundscape composition, and from their concepts this piece was formed. The students then chose a title that they felt best described the end result. ​
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: G5 / Trumpet: C5 / Trombone: Bb4
The Essential Elements
Composed in collaboration with the Grade 9 Instrumental Music class at Bill Hogarth Secondary School in 2022/2023.
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A set of variations on a theme, each inspired by one of the four ancient elements: water, earth, air, and fire.
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This is a lengthy piece for a young band. It might be easier to consider some of the variations as full pieces in their own right. This piece might be suitable as a year-long repertoire project, or for a slightly more advanced group that needs an easy piece for getting started.
"Fire" is in 3/4, but often has a 6/8 feel. "Earth" has some very limited aleatoric features in the upper woodwinds. The extensive percussion section is featured throughout the final "Fire" variation.
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: Bb5 / Trumpet: E5 / Trombone: C4
Stalked by Nightmares
Composed in collaboration with the Grade 9 Instrumental Music class at Bill Hogarth Secondary School in 2022/2023.
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Go to sleep, little baby. Here's a pillow. Rest your head.
Ignore the tapping at the window, and the breathing beneath the bed.
Dream of clouds and purring kittens. Push your worries from your mind.
Ignore the monster in the shadows. Maybe it's the vegan kind.
If you feel you're stalked by nightmares, just hold on 'til morning light.
Lullaby, little baby. Pleasant dreams. And good night.
Opens with a nod to the famous Brahms Lullaby. A "restful sleep" melody does fierce battle with a highly chromatic nightmare theme. Excellent for working on non-scale notes within a limited range, and for contrasting articulations.
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: C5 / Trumpet: E5 / Trombone: C4
Whispers in the Dungeon
Composed in collaboration with the Grade 9 Instrumental Music class at Bill Hogarth Secondary School in 2021/2022.
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Imagine walking down the steps into the darkness of a dungeon, where every footstep echoes, and you are wary of every whisper of air...WHAT WAS THAT??
Set in a minor key, using a binary structure. Students can learn about the minor scale, canonic entries, and the effectiveness of a wide dynamic range.
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Highest Notes:
Clarinet: F5 / Trumpet: C5 / Trombone: C4