Zoology (finished work)

Hi everyone.

Have more or less finished composing this now; though I might tweak the ending a little.

It's for a large wind band, and I've posted it before in the incomplete section.

The piece represents a dawn chorus in an African jungle, with the animals waking up one by one, each represented by a different instrument. The saxophones are mischievous monkeys, the castanets woodpeckers, the oboe is a snake, the piccolo represents birdsong, etc...

I wonder how effective it is in creating the tone picture I was aiming for?

I'm not sure I've got the right order for the instruments in my score, but I went with the MuseScore setting for a concert band.

Not certain what instrumentation I should recommend: so any hints on that would be helpful!

Perhaps I should add some more breath-marks, or make some tweaks to the time signatures?

Also not 100% sure how solo/tutti indications work in a wind band. Do they assume tutti unless otherwise indicated?

Edit: The latest version of this piece is posted further down the thread.

Just made an improved version of this score, with more sensible time signatures, and other corrections.

Hi ... I really enjoyed the canvass you painted ... very colorful and playful.  Although, the picture I create in my mind is different from your title/intent.  I hear a triumphant epic/journey ... which I guess does fit your narrative too!  A great movie score!!!

Mark

Thanks Mark!

I actually added a new ending this week (which is definitely my final revision, as I've now sent it off to a competition for judging).

The new version is attached below, with an improved score.

New material starts around 7'30".

This is the programme note I sent them:

In this piece, I’ve attempted to conjure up a dawn chorus in a jungle setting.

The animals awake one by one, each embodied by a different instrument. 
We start with birdsong in the piccolo, and the tapping of woodpeckers from the castanets, whilst the melodic line in the oboe coils like a snake.

Soon they are joined by a mischievous troop of monkeys, portrayed by a choir of saxophones. 

Some sounds are ambiguous. Perhaps the maracas could be a rattlesnake; or is it just rustling in the undergrowth?

The tempo increases as the pace of life quickens.
Predators begin hunting their prey, looking for a tasty breakfast!

The mood alternates rapidly from serene and playful passages into more sinister and dangerous terrain. Some creatures are harmless and beautiful; whilst others are vicious and threatening!

The work eventually builds to a heady and chaotic climax, as an intoxicating plethora of wildlife joyfully greets the new day.