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Wind Ensemble Piece

Discussion in 'Critique & Feedback' started by Cody Ortz, May 20, 2021.

  1. #1 Cody Ortz, May 20, 2021
    Hi all,
    I wrote this piece for a wind ensemble and it just had its virtual "premiere" after the actual premiere got canned due to COVID. I'd love some criticism on the piece if you have time to give it a quick listen! I grew up in the band world, but this is actually my first go at writing something for that ensemble.



    Thanks in advance!
     
    Bjarke Tan likes this.
  2. #2 David Rubenstein, May 21, 2021
    Quite a lovely piece! The only suggestion might be to vary the key a bit--I realize it's a short piece, so take this with a grain of salt! My daughters used to play in the concert band in high school, Portions of this piece sound much like the pieces which they performed at half-time shows at football games and at marching band competitions, as the mood varies from soft and subtle to loud and rhythmic..
     
    Cody Ortz likes this.
  3. #3 Cody Ortz, May 22, 2021
    Thanks, David! It does sit and pad a little, especially in the middle. So some more harmonic motion would probably help me there.
     
  4. #4 Bjarke Tan, May 22, 2021
    Last edited: May 22, 2021
    I may be wrong but this is just my impression of it i felt like you didn't use one main theme enough. It felt like each section of the piece had it's own theme. The transition was very good between sections but i felt like it would be better with one main theme. So instead of each section had it's own theme you use one theme throughout but develop it.
    I recommend listening and analysing this piece by mike verta him self where he have one main theme throughout the piece. Even when something new happens he soon return to the main theme or uses hint of the previous section through transitions to make the listner feel more connected.


    Otherwise you did a very good job.
     
    Cody Ortz likes this.
  5. #5 Cody Ortz, May 24, 2021

    Ah! So here's what just popped into my mind—Mike talking about the first-ever piece that he played for his mom. I believe she said, "Well that has no melody, Mike." But he did have a melody! At least one that he could hear and follow.

    I 100% made a conscious effort to have the themes in each section relate to each other. It's the opening interval and subsequent melodic shape of a P4 and ascending scale. And I tried to leave seeds of the opening WW choir throughout as well. But, I guess even though that's clear to me because I wrote it, it's not clear enough. What a lesson to learn... Thanks man!
     
    Bjarke Tan likes this.
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