Gambol (6-Part Flex)

With its title meaning “a skipping or leaping about in play,” Gambol incorporates canonic and fugal elements along with Copland-esque harmonies that will invigorate both performers and audience.

Program Notes

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic (summer, 2020) many of my composition colleagues have successfully created flex band instrumentations/transcriptions of previously composed band works. Since orchestration is part of my compositional process, especially in more difficult works, I found it futile to try and transcribe one of my pre-existing works for flex band. Therefore, I was delighted when Nathan Daughtrey, new president of C. Alan Publications, requested a grade 4-5 level work for flex band from me. The result was Gambol.

The term “gambol” means “a skipping or leaping about in play”. The work is in 6 parts (plus 4 percussion) and its original conception was based on the opening three 7/8 bars, which offer all three 7/8 subdivisions. The work incorporates canonic and fugal elements along with Copland-esque harmonies in sections.

–J.S.

ABOUT THE SERIES
The SpectraFlex Series for adaptable wind band offers flexibility with pieces across all grade levels, featuring traditional high-to-low scoring with 5 or 6 parts and optional percussion. Each part is transposed and playable by a multitude of wind or keyboard percussion instruments while maintaining the spectrum of sound we have grown to love about the wind band.

Grade Level: 4.5
Copyright: 2020
Duration: 4:25

Listen to Recording

Sample PDF

Watch Video

Instrumentation

Transposed Score (showing all transposed parts)
Condensed Score (only "C" parts)

Adaptable Parts
(2 copies of each of all parts for each listed instrument)

Part 1: Piccolo (optional), Flute, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet

Part 2: Flute, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet, E-flat Alto Saxophone

Part 3: B-flat Clarinet, E-flat Alto Saxophone, B-flat Trumpet, F Horn

Part 4: B-flat Clarinet, E-flat Alto Saxophone, F Horn

Part 5: B-flat Tenor Saxophone, F Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon

Part 6: B-flat Bass Clarinet, E-flat Baritone Saxophone, Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Tuba, Double Bass

Percussion Parts
Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1: Claves (or Woodblock), Triangle
Percussion 2: Tambourine, Crash Cymbals
Percussion 3: Any Keyboard, Chimes (optional), Bass Drum