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.