YOUNG BAND REPERTOIRE PROJECT

Literature Analyses

EXCELLENTIA OVERTURE

written by David Shaffer



 

Publisher: C. L. Barnhouse Company
Year Published: 1985 (presently out of print)
Difficulty Level: Publisher rating = 2

1987-90 Texas PML rating = Grade 2
 
Reviewed by: Brian Harris - Spring 1999
Style/Form: Allegro (quarter = 132; m.1 - m.31); Moderato/Andante (quarter = 90; m.32 - m.49); Allegro (quarter = 132; m.50 - m.69); Maestoso/Presto (m.70 - m.76)

ABA and Coda (uses D.S. al Coda)
Key Signatures:

(concert pitch)

 Two key changes:

one flat (m.1 - m.33); three flats (m.34 - m.57); one flat (m.58 - end)
Time Signatures: 4/4 (m.1 - end)
Ranges: Woodwinds:
    Flute up to f2; Clarinet 1 up to f1; Bari Sax down to c
Brass:
    Trumpet 1 up to g1; Trumpet 2 up to e1; Trombone 1 up to d; Trombone 2 up to c
Rhythms: Winds:
    Level 2 with eighth-quarter-eighth syncopations for all; Flutes have one sixteenth-note run (4 notes).
Percussion:
    Level 2; Snare has Level 3 rhythms throughout with numerous syncopated accents
Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon/Baritone BC, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax 1, Alto Sax 2, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Trumpet 1, Trumpet 2, Horn in F, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Baritone TC, Tuba, Snare/Bass Drum, Cymbals, Timpani
Percussion: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Timpani (3 drums)
Conductor Score: Semi-Score; 10 lines; low reeds combined with low brass line
Length/Timing: 3 minutes, 17 seconds; 84 measures (69 measures plus 8 measure D.S. and 7 measure Coda)
Comments:
  • Combined Bassoon and Baritone BC part
  • Clarinet 2 has frequent break-crossing
  • Solos for Flute (5 measures), Trumpet 1 (4 measures); Snare Drum (2 measures), Timpani (2 measures; 4 times)
  • Use of sfz, fp, accents, staccato, syncopations

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