Big Sky March

Description

Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Clarinet in Bb 3, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Trumpet in Bb 3, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Bells, Timpani, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Wood Block, Percussion 2, Crash Cymbals — Big Sky March was written for the Memorial Day Concert 2023 featuring the combined performance of the Asheville Community Band (Asheville, North Carolina) and the Azalea Winds Community Band (Valdosta, Georgia). The march was premiered at the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is known as the Land Of Big Sky because of their beautiful mountain views. The march is written in the traditional style of Fillmore marches and features exciting parts for all instruments. The arpeggio at the beginning of each section of the Trio is a tribute to the Asheville Band and was written to signify the phrase Land Of Big Sky. At the end of the arpeggio, the woodwinds do a flurry of notes imitating the explosion of fireworks. The flourish of brass at the break strain denotes the pageantry of the area. Finally, the return of the trio introduces a chromatic scale in the upper woodwinds which is a tribute to the Azalea Winds (taken from the Azalea City March). Premiered at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC, this march describes the beautiful mountain views that gave Asheville it's nickname, Land Of Big Sky. Written in the traditional style of Fillmore marches, the piece features exciting parts for all instruments. Flurries of woodwinds and brass flourishes depict the pageantry of the area and repeated arpeggios and chromatic scales represent each of the two ensembles who performed the piece as part of a Memorial Day celebration.