Monument Valley

Description

Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Horn in F, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Bells, Chime, Timpani, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Percussion 2, Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle — Monument Valley is a region of the Colorado Plateau featuring vast sandstone buttes, the largest being 1,000 feet above the valley floor. It’s located on the Arizona - Utah border near the Four Corners area. Since the 1930’s Monument Valley has been used as scenic backdrop for many movies about the American West. It's also one of the areas most popular tourist attractions.Do not rush the opening tempo, which should be majestic until the fast kicks in at m. 16. In m. 45 the standard dotted-eighth/sixteenth note has been replaced by an eighth, sixteenth rest, sixteenth note. I'm shooting for separation between the eighth and the sixteenth, and I found this to be the best way to notate what I’m after. I suggest you explain to your students that it’s like the dotted-eighth/sixteenth, but having a staccato dot over the dotted eighth. Make sure they keep the rhythm crisp and don’t let them drag the figure. Be careful not to let the students drag the quarter note triplets that occur throughout the fast section as well. At m. 63 come down to a good pianissimo to allow the music to build to its conclusion. A big ritardando at m. 74 sets up the driving (quarter at 132) ending! An evocative tribute to its namesake, a region of the Colorado Plateau featuring vast sandstone buttes reaching hundreds of feet above the valley floor, this concert opener is full of educational opportunities. Meter changes, independent lines, varied dynamics and articulations combined with tempo changes make this an exciting and interesting concert or festival selection.