With Swords Drawn (2023)
Commissioned by Barker College Junior School
Program Notes
"With Sword's Drawn" is a dynamic composition that showcases the raw energy and excitement of the wind band genre. This piece was written with the intention of giving young players an opportunity to perform a mature-sounding composition that requires minimal technical proficiency, allowing it to be played within the first two years of musical experience. Despite its simplicity, the composition is rich in character.
As the piece progresses, the ensemble is propelled forward by driving rhythms and dynamic interplay between the different sections of the band. The use of primarily the first five notes of the concert Bb minor scale allows the piece to remain technically simple to play, while occasional excursions into higher registers provide moments of triumph. "With Swords Drawn" creates a thrilling and accessible work that will challenge and inspire young wind players to continue in their musical journeys.
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Flex band score available upon request
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Commissioned by Barker College Junior School
Midi Audio - Recording Pending