YOUNG BAND REPERTOIRE PROJECT
Literature Analyses


CHESTER
Written by  William Billings
Arranged by Gerald Tolmage


Publisher: Staff Publishing
Year Published: 1972 
Difficulty Level: Publisher rating = none
1999-2002 Texas PML rating = Grade 1
Reviewed by: Alfred Flores - Spring 2000
Style/Form: AB (m.1 - m.16); AB (m.17 - m.32), Transition (m.33 - m.36); AB' (m.37 - m.59); ABC (m. 60 - end)
Key Signatures:

(concert pitch)

One flat (m.1 - m.16); two flats (m.17 - m.32); three flats (m.37 - m.59); one flat (m.60 - end)
Time Signature: 4/4 
Ranges: Woodwinds:
    Piccolo up to f2; Flute up to f2; Flute 2 up to f2; Oboe up to b-flat1; Bassoon 1 down to EE-flat; Bassoon 2 down to DD; Eb Clarinet up to g2; Clarinet 1 up to a1; Clarinet 2 up to e1, down to E (one time); Clarinet 3 up to c1, down to G; Alto Clarinet up to f1; Alto Sax 1 down to d, up to b1; Alto Sax 2 down to d; Tenor Sax up to a1; Bari Sax up to F-sharp1, down to B
Brass:
    Cornet 1 up to g1, down to c; Cornet 2 up to e1; Cornet 3 up to d1; Horn 1 up to e1; Horn 2 up to e1; Horn 3 up to e1; Horn 4 up to e1; Trombone 1 up to f; Trombone 2 up to d, down to BB-flat; Trombone 3 down to EE; Baritone up to e-flat
Rhythms: Winds:
    Level 3
Percussion:
    Level 3
Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe1, Oboe 2, E-flat Clarinet, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Clarinet 3, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Alto Sax 1, Alto Sax 2, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Cornet 1, Cornet 2, Cornet 3, Horn 1, Horn 2, Horn 3, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Trombone 3, Baritone TC, Baritone BC, Percussion 
Percussion: Timpani, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, Suspended cymbals
Conductor Score: Condensed score
Length/Timing: 3 minutes, 30 seconds (80 measures)
Comments:
  • Dynamics are from p to ff
  • Slightly different tempos 
  • Use of crescendo, decrescendo, ritardando, and allargando
  • Thickly scored 
  • Complex rhythms used
  • Includes parts for Piccolo, Eb Clarinet, Alto Clarinet two Oboes and Two Bassoons
  • Flute/Clarinet run at the end
  • High notes for almost all instruments
  • Percussion needs four players

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