Dance Poem

Description

Dance Poem was commissioned by and is dedicated to the Doerre Intermediate School Honor Band (Klein, Texas), Susan Scarborough, conductor, for performance at the 2006 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Ill. The work Is a Grade III composition designed for performance by more advanced Middle/Intermediate school bands. However, the scoring is sophisticated and with the usage of multiple meter changes it would lend itself equally as well to high school or college students.

As with most of the “young band” works by composer Leroy Osmon the percussion section is treated in equal balance with the wind players, requiring Timpani and 5 multi-percussionists. Percussion instruments required are:

Percussion I: Bells, Inverted Cymbal placed on Timpani, Crash Cymbal
Percussion II: Triangle, Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Bell Tree
Percussion III: Xylophone, Chromatic Pitch Pipe, Metal Bowl placed on Timpani, Temple Blocks
Percussion IV: Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal, Snare Drum, Triangle
Percussion V: Marimba, High Hat, Snare Drum, Bongos

The Dance Poem is in two contrasting sections. It starts with textures that are representative of a line from the Book of Job; “…and the morning stars sang together”. The tempo is moderately slow and the chords are reminiscent of the French Impressionist School. The first trumpets enter from “off stage” – one stage left playing “open” and one stage right playing ‘muted”. The melodic material comes from a Lutheran hymn. Lutherans founded the community of Klein and the directors at Doerre wanted a musical connection to the past. Because it is from the past the composer wanted the sound to be equally distant (thus the placement off stage). The improvisational section (trumpet 2, horns, trombone, euphonium and tuba) should remain within the texture and not increase in tempo. The dynamic in the final three measures (41-43) increases with the rest of the ensemble. The over all mood is gentle, reflective and celestial throughout the first section, with the exception of measures 41 -43. At this point the first trumpet and timpani should be the dominating sounds. After a brief pause (measure 44 with the first trumpet decrescendo) there is a return to the original mood of reflective repose.

The second section (“…and all the sons of God shouted for joy” – another line from the Book of Job), is very rhythmical. The bass line gives a feeling of continuously moving forward while the upper voices interject snippets of melodic material. The chords played by the horns, euphonium and trombones add a darker Stravinsky-esque sound and texture. All the while the excitement builds in a continuous altering of the meter from 4/4 to 7/8. Dance Poem ends with a musical “shout for joy”.

Published by: RBC Publications