The Grind (2017)
for wind band. 4 min. Grade 2.5
Commissioned by Joseph Cunningham and the Herbert Hoover Middle School Band, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Herbert Hoover Middle School.
When I was thinking about my time in middle school, my favorite part about it was playing piano in jazz band. It was my first time that I got to improvise, read chord symbols, and play super fun music. When I was asked to write this piece, I realized that not everyone had the same experience I had with jazz band, since not everyone played an instrument commonly associated with jazz. So, this piece is a way to give everyone a chance to be in a jazz band and play a rock-like piece with a blues-y melody. This piece would not be complete without some improvisation, so there is an open section for solos in the middle of the piece where any student can take a short solo and improvise, too!
Ranges:
Flutes: A4-Eb6
Oboes: Eb4-B5
Bassoons: Eb2-A3
Clarinets: F3-C6
Alto Saxes: F#4-B6
Tenor Saxes: E4-C6
Bari Saxes: C4-F#5
Horns: Bb3-F5
Trumpets: B3-D5
Trombones: Bb2-D4
Euphonium: G2-B3 (Treble Clef: A3-C#5)
Tuba: F1-Bb2
Percussion 1: Bells / Mallets
Percussion 2: Cymbals (Hi-hat, Ride), Triangle
Percussion 3: Tambourine, Cowbell, Shaker
