Windstorm: Gale Force (2011)

3+1,2,3+1,2+1/4331/t+3/hs, or string orchestra
Duration: Approx. 3 min

Performed by the 2011 Tennessee Valley Music Festival Orchestra
Joseph Lee, conducting

Program Note:

Depicting a violent whirlwind, Windstorm: Gale Force is a grade 4.5 concert-opener. This piece makes use of a consistent 10/8 meter with occasional metric change, making for a suitable early foray into asymmetric meters. Additionally, there is an opportunity for the concertmaster, principal second violinist, and principal viola player to shine in a short solo section in the middle.

“Windstorm: Gale Force” was a winner for the Huntsville Youth Orchestra’s First Annual Young Composers’ Forum Composition Competition.

Instrumentation:

Piccolo
3 Flutes
2 Oboes
3 B-flat Clarinets
Bass Clarinet*
2 Bassoons
Contrabassoon*
4 F Horns
3 C Trumpets
3 Trombones
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (3 players)**
Harp
Strings

*optional

**1: Glockenspiel
2: Suspended Cymbal, Bass Drum
3: Snare Drum, Tambourine