This is referring to Blue Sky and Sunshine. This post will just be a reduction of the original article.
While there are many forms of march music, all marches must have the following
- Different strains (sections)
- Several separate melodies
- A contrasting section known as the trio
The first section is called the Introduction or fanfare (led by trumpets in the beginning) Compared to the other sections of a march, the introduction is usually the shortest part (4 bars for us). Trumpets, trombones and horns, don't be worried and just play your stuff. Woodwinds with running notes, remember Fujishiro Toshihiro.
The next section is commonly called the first strain, as it is the first prominent melody of the march (introduced by clarinets at A. Please work on the phrasing and getting the higher notes like your Bb in tune!) After the first playing of the strain, it is repeated once, sometimes with added parts such as counter-melodies (flutes come in an octave up. eupho and tenor sax plays counter-melody at B) Sometimes, the first strain is played again once again after the second strains have been played. Oh, and remember the 'hahaha' thing for those staccatos. And lady-like.
The second strain is usually 16 bars long and is the second primary melody of the march (introduced by trumpets and saxophones at C). I know our second strain isn't that long. The second strain is 4 bars long before woodwinds take over the melody for 4 bars in a separate melody. After C, at D, it goes back to the first strain with clarinets, saxophones and xylophone playing the melody. At E, the first strain is played again by clarinets and trumpets with eupho, tenor sax, alto sax playing counter-melodies. At C, play marcato. Loud and strong. Maybe except for the running notes. But make sure they can be heard. Running notes are there for a reason. They build up the lines. This is the 3rd time the clarinets are playing this melody, so trumpets should remember the 'hahaha' thing too.
A short introduction to the trio is heard. This introduction to the trio is a repeat of the first introduction. At F. Note that not all marches have this. It is followed by a separate melody which is never used after that at 2 bars played by the whole band before Trio. Trumpets and trombones MUST get their rhythm correct one bar before trio. Remember what Mr Lim said about playing it out so that the trio melody come out unexpectedly?
The third primary melody in a march is called the trio. The trio is described as the main melody of the march. It is often played legato style in a softer dynamic, and features woodwinds more than brass (introduced by saxophones and clarinets). The trio is the most contrasting section, often containing variations of motifs heard in the previous two strains (from H, lower brass and lower woodwinds play a melody similar to the one introduced in C). It then returns to the melody of the first strain for 4 bars before returning to the trio melody, now with eupho and tenor sax playing counter melody and flutes playing another counter melody. Phrasing is important here. Without it, this section sounds deeeeeead. Wouldn't want that right?
From here on, the piece doesn't seem to follow the format. Maybe it does and I can't follow. From K, the trumpets, trombones and alto saxophones plays the melody while the eupho and tenor sax are echoing some lines. Higher woodwinds have moving notes. Higher woodwinds should tone down and let the brasses take over. Oh, even though it says f as a dynamic, remember not to blast or overplay and go flat. At the end of L, it tones down and....
Woodwinds play the trio melody again, but with some harmony this time. The lower brass are playing the counter melody. To match the grand(er) sound of the counter melody, woodwinds should play marcato. This leads to tension building chords 3 bars before M.
And M goes back to the introduction, but with woodwind trills this time. Don't see trills and go crazy and just blast, especially clarinets. Your high C trills can pierce through ears. Just 3 bars before the end, high woodwinds have running note to lead the band to the end. Please, pleasepleaseplease figure out your running notes. Remember, the judges can see you. The piece finally closes with lower brasses/woodwinds, horns and saxophones all playing a concert Bb strongly. Marcato style.
There are a lot more things to say, but I can't recap them all. Please work hard for NBC. Look at the countdown to the left. How many days are left?
-SZ