Wolverine Trail

Description

Flute, Oboe, Flute 2, Clarinet in Bb, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb, Horn in F, Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Bells, Timpani, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Wood Block, Bass Drum, Percussion 2, Crash Cymbals, Triangle, Tambourine — When writing this piece, I was thinking of my beginning band students at Polk County Middle School. Our school is located at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is surrounded by dense pine forests. The mascot of our school is rather fittingly the wolverine; hence, our school is located on the street named “Wolverine Trail.” Learning to be a musician is not an easy trial, as it requires hard work, dedication, and endurance. However, the trail to becoming a musician is full of rewarding and breathtaking experiences. As I wrote this piece, I was inspired by the rugged beauty of our school’s location and also how I am helping my beginner students to start on the trail to becoming mature musicians.Wolverine Trail is a concert march for beginning bands and is rather helpful in introducing beginners to the march form and style. This piece is based in the key of Eb major and uses only the first seven notes taught in most method books. It is also rhythmically accessible to beginners, as simple eighth-note combinations are the most difficult rhythms in this march. The piece follows standard march form except that is does not modulate at the trio section which begins at m. 57. It is my hope that this piece will help you and your beginners start your own musical trailblazing. Matthew Putnam'sWolverine Trailis a concert march for beginning bands and is perfect for introducing beginners to the march form and style. This piece is based in the key of E flat major and uses only the first seven notes taught in most method books. It is also rhythmically accessible to beginners, with eighth-note combinations being the most difficult rhythms. This piece follows standard march form except that is does not modulate at the trio section.