Product Description
American Festival Series #2
Music by William Himes
Brian Bowen, editor
Note to the Conductor
This setting can feature as many soloists as feasible - in just about any octave! However, one will need to keep in mind the ratio of soloists to band when balancing the accompaniment in order for those features to be easily heard. In general, it is wise to reduce the accompaniment to one or two on each part when soloists are playing. The purpose of this piece is to encourage a beginning player's early efforts by providing a performance experience with as few technical demands as possible while providing an exciting accompaniment.
The opening should be slow and dramatic. In fact Bar 14, marked "very slow," should be conducted with subdivided beat. The Allegro at bar 16 should be steady and not too fast (116) throughout. The finale at bar 84 is probably best executed in cut time (2), bringing this light-hearted look at the classics to an exciting finish.
Score Format
This piece is scored in a modified ensemble format making it possible to accompany soloists with as few as five, taking care to observe cues and optional divisi directives. Note that Part V Euphonium part is essential.
Instrumentation: (optional transpositions in parenthesis)
Full Score
Bb soloist
Eb soloist
Part I optional Eb Soprano
Part I Bb Cornet (C)
Part II Bb Cornet/Eb Horn (F Horn)
Part III Bb Baritone/Trombone, Eb Horn (F Horn & Bass Clef)
Part IV optional Bass Trombone
Part V Euphonium (Bass Clef)
Part IV Eb Tuba
Part IV Bb Tuba (Bass Clef)
Percussion I Timpani
Percussion II Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, Triangle
(Percussion parts, while optional are very important and will greatly enhance performance.)
