Speedbird

Description

Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallets 1, Bells, Mallets 2, Chime, Timpani, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Percussion 2, Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle — Speedbird was written to commemorate the trip my wife and I took to Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, to adopt our daughter. We flew on British Airways, which uses the radio call sign “Speedbird" to identify their planes all over the world. The power and speed of being aboard a plane in flight and the excitement of what lies ahead after the flight have always made flying special to me. I have tried to capture the excitement of being airborne, and the excitement of two people leaving as a couple and returning as parents. I hope that the musicians and audience enjoy this musical journey, and I’m thankful that you will become part of our family’s story.Conductor Notes: The dynamics should be maximized throughout the piece. The bell part should be present but not overpowering.The A-theme at m. 9 should be played light and excitedly.At m. 17 the alto saxophone and horn parts should be played strongly.The phrase beginning at m. 25 is intended to mimic the Doppler effect heard when planes (or other vehicles) pass. This will be best achieved by making sure the forte is strong and the decrescendo is steady.The melody that begins at m. 33 should be very lyrical and give a sense of soaring.At m. 49 make sure that the hi-hat quarter note “sizzle” is slightly accented and continues for the entire count. The single eighth notes in the timpani part should be dampened immediately, and the half notes in the melody should be played with a slight accent.The flute and clarinet 1 parts should be heard above everything else in mm. 79-80. The accented notes in this passage should be played strongly.The final note should be played for its full value and allowed to ring. Speedbird was written to commemorate the trip my wife and I took to Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, to adopt our daughter. We flew on British Airways, which uses the radio call sign “Speedbird” to identify their planes all over the world.

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