Instrumentation and Ranges
Flute/Piccolo--------------Eb4-B6 Solo 1st Bb Cornet---------------C4-B5
Oboe-----------------------C4-D6 2nd Bb Cornet---------------------C4-G5
Eb Clarinet----------------C4-F6 1st Bb Trumpet---------------------Bb3-A5
Solo Bb Clarinet---------C4-E6 2nd Bb Trumpet--------------------Bb3-F5
1st Bb Clarinet-----------B3-E6 1st F Horn----------------------------C4-F5
2nd Bb Clarinet----------G3-D6 2nd F Horn--------------------------Ab3-F5
3rd Bb Clarinet-----------G3-D6 3rd F Horn--------------------------B3-F5
Eb Alto Clarinet----------C4-A5 4th F Horn--------------------------G3-D5
Bb Bass Clarinet---------F3-G5 1st Trombone----------------------C3-G4
1st Bassoon---------------C2-F4 2nd Trombone---------------------C3-G4
2nd Bassoon--------------B1-F4 Bass Trombone-------------------E3-D4
Eb Alto Saxophone------C4-A5 Euphonium-------------------------E3-G4
Bb Tenor Saxophone----Bb3-A5 1st Tuba----------------------------F1-E3
Eb Baritone Saxophone-C4-A5 2nd Tuba---------------------------F1-C3
Bb Bass Saxophone/-----G3-E5 String Bass------------------------F2-D4
Contra Bass Clarinet
Percussion-- Snare Drum and Bass Drum for Percussion 1 and Cymbals, Triangle, and Timpani for Percussion 2.
Oboe-----------------------C4-D6 2nd Bb Cornet---------------------C4-G5
Eb Clarinet----------------C4-F6 1st Bb Trumpet---------------------Bb3-A5
Solo Bb Clarinet---------C4-E6 2nd Bb Trumpet--------------------Bb3-F5
1st Bb Clarinet-----------B3-E6 1st F Horn----------------------------C4-F5
2nd Bb Clarinet----------G3-D6 2nd F Horn--------------------------Ab3-F5
3rd Bb Clarinet-----------G3-D6 3rd F Horn--------------------------B3-F5
Eb Alto Clarinet----------C4-A5 4th F Horn--------------------------G3-D5
Bb Bass Clarinet---------F3-G5 1st Trombone----------------------C3-G4
1st Bassoon---------------C2-F4 2nd Trombone---------------------C3-G4
2nd Bassoon--------------B1-F4 Bass Trombone-------------------E3-D4
Eb Alto Saxophone------C4-A5 Euphonium-------------------------E3-G4
Bb Tenor Saxophone----Bb3-A5 1st Tuba----------------------------F1-E3
Eb Baritone Saxophone-C4-A5 2nd Tuba---------------------------F1-C3
Bb Bass Saxophone/-----G3-E5 String Bass------------------------F2-D4
Contra Bass Clarinet
Percussion-- Snare Drum and Bass Drum for Percussion 1 and Cymbals, Triangle, and Timpani for Percussion 2.
Score Study Graphs
| mvt_1.mdi |
| mvt_2.mdi |
| mvt_3.mdi |
Technical Considerations
The first movement begins in F dorian and then modulates to Ab Major. During the B section there is a clarinet solo or cornet solo. In the third section, the woodwinds are required to play fast technical passages in 6/8 in F dorian. This is played over the melody in 2/4 played by the brass. This multi-meter section requires the ensemble to have a strong sense of the macrobeat.
The slow tempo of the second movement requires a lot of control from the ensemble. It begins with a very exposed oboe solo that can also be doubled on the cornet. The piccolo and cornet solos are also very exposed.
The third movement moves through several tonal centers including Bb Major, C aeolian and Eb Major. The movement begins with a solo cornet. Beware of the fast passages required for the low brass to play.
The slow tempo of the second movement requires a lot of control from the ensemble. It begins with a very exposed oboe solo that can also be doubled on the cornet. The piccolo and cornet solos are also very exposed.
The third movement moves through several tonal centers including Bb Major, C aeolian and Eb Major. The movement begins with a solo cornet. Beware of the fast passages required for the low brass to play.
Suggested Listening
- Ralph Vaughan Williams, Toccata Marziale, Sea Songs, Symphony No. 8, Variations on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
- Gustav Holst, Second Suite in F
Related Readings and Resources
Teaching Music through Performance in Band is a valuable resource and lists most of the following as credible sources
- Dvorak, Thomas L., Robert Grechesky, and GaryCiepluch. Best Music for High school Band. Brooklyn, NY: Manhattan Beach Music, 1993.
- Fennell, Frederick. "Vaughan Williams' Folk Song Suite." The Instrumentalist, XXX June 1976, 45-48
- Pittman, Daniel Sayle, Jr. "Percy Grainger, Gustav Holst, and Ralph Vaughan Williams: A Comparative Analysis of Selected Wind Compositions." Diss., Memphis State University, 1979.
- Sadie, Stanley. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. London: Macmillan, 1980.
- Smith, Norman and Albert Stoutamire. Band Music Notes. Lake Charles, LA: Program Note Press, 1989.
