About This Piece
"You can't fight the desert. You have to ride with it." - Louis L'Amour
Crossing the Desert is a difficult challenge. Even today with all the modern technology and knowledge we have, it's still a deadly task. This show is about courage and bravery in doing difficult tasks. Although not as challenging as crossing a desert, putting together a marching band season is a big task in itself. There's lots of moving parts that need to come together just right to make everything work. Through this show a meta meaning can arise, with performing all this music while marching is a daunting task just like crossing the desert. It takes lots of effort and bravery to pull this off.
The music is all original, which means no paying for licensing! Each part of the show spans different genres and techniques for the performers to show off their well-rounded musicianship. Unique sounds are heard from the synthesizers, meant to portray the four parts of the piece.
I - The Shifting Sands
The music is all original, which means no paying for licensing! Each part of the show spans different genres and techniques for the performers to show off their well-rounded musicianship. Unique sounds are heard from the synthesizers, meant to portray the four parts of the piece.
I - The Shifting Sands
The music is harrowing and desolate, giving imagery of dunes that seem to have no end. Solo calls are heard across the ensemble, representing the calls a group would give out during the difficult trek. Several moments are discordant, giving examples of exhaust and dehydration one would feel in the desert. It's ruthless, and it gives no mercy.
II - Night
The sun sets, heat turns to coolness but that doesn't mean dangers are gone. Wildlife comes out of nowhere, giving the people crossing the desert new and unique challenges. There's lots of rhythmic moments in this section and several very powerful impacts.
III - Oasis
After many days crossing the desert, a gift is given to the travelers. A cool wet location to rest and regain hope. This part of the music is all about not giving up even though difficult times have passed and more will happen.
IV - Arriving Home
Home at last, and the travelers now celebrate together as they've finally made it. Themes from throughout the show are put together in a happier light, and each section gets their moment to shine. It's the final celebration for completing a difficult task. Bravery and courage has been rewarded.
Credits
- Composed & Arranged by Chris Price
Score Preview
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Section Details
Difficulty Notes: Woodwinds have several fast runs. All winds have many syncopated rhythms. All ranges are fairly easy with mellophones on occasion going above the staff, same with trumpets.
Instrumentation
- Flute
- 2xClarinet
- Bass Clarinet
- Alto Sax
- Tenor Sax
- Bari Sax
- 3xTrumpet
- 2xMellophone
- 3xLow Brass BC
- Tuba
Difficulty Notes: Rhythms are always set up if there's gear changes. Triplets, eighth notes and sixteenth notes are never put in awkward locations.
Instrumentation
- Snare
- Flubs
- Tenors
- 5xBasses
- 4xCymbals
Difficulty Notes: Many difficult runs. Marimba 1 has especially difficult moments. Marimba 1 can be omitted and all voicings will work still.
Instrumentation
- 3xMarimba
- 2xVibraphone
- Xylophone/Bells
- 3xRack Percussion
- Bass
Difficulty Notes: A few difficult moments for syncopation. All ADSRs in the synth are timed up to have no key press anticipation.
Instrumentation
- 2xSynthesizer