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I have created this site in order to provide performers, listeners and composers with a description of a composer's experiences with the creative process. The posts will provide discussions of the inspirations, challenges, and successes of a composer from the inception of the piece to the culmination in performance. I will provide a link to where you can see and hear the works in progress. Comments and questions are always welcomed. They will not posted unless you grant me permission.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Antics for Elementary Band - Movement I - Dolphins in an Aquarium

This composition is being composed as part of a commissioning consortium where each participant contributes a small amount towards the commission fee and receives local premiere rights for up to a year after the composition is completed. The deadline for joining this commission consortium is January 31, 2015. For more information about the consortium, please visit http://www.cooppress.net/page9/page385/index.html

The first movement of this two-movement composition is "Dolphins in an Aquarium." The general description of this movement is that it is in a moderate tempo and primarily legato. The whole step eighth note motif represents the dolphins swimming. The rising pyramids in intervals of a perfect fifth represent the dolphins leaping out of the water. Other rising leaps throughout the movement also represent the leaping dolphins.

The form of the movement is ABA'CA''. The A sections use the swimming motif and the rising pyramids. The second A, which occurs at measure 24, reverses the order of these two ideas with the rising pyramids occurring first. The third A contains a rhythmic variation of the swimming motif by having it occur in 3/4 instead of 4/4. The B section at measure 16 offers contrast by being softer and more legato. One can think of these majestic animals swimming. The C section at measure 37 is similar to the mood of the B section, but also contains an eighth note rhythmic drive that anticipates the excitement of the final A section. The xylophone in the C section does some "dolphin leaps" during the sustained notes of the melody.

I export my Sibelius Music Notation file as a movie (new to version 7.5). I also use Noteperformer software for the sounds. These are sample sounds, but the software also includes an algorithm that reads ahead in the music and phrases the music according to context, therefore making the realization closer to live performance. I  upload these videos to youtube and embed the video for each movement. Be sure to use full screen mode to see large score more clearly. I hope that this technology allows the reader to have an easier experience and a more realistic performance. To see and hear what I have discussed, go to http://www.cooppress.net/Antics_blog.html. 

 As always, your comments are appreciated.
Dr. B
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