Clouds
Anne McGinty - Grade 1.5
About the music
Clouds is an original composition based on imagery of different cloud forms. The first section depicts cirrus clouds, the white delicate clouds usually found at high altitudes, and is played by the upper woodwinds. Thunderclouds begin at measure 23 and the accents and tone cluster are used to symbolize the increasing electricity associated with these thunder and lightning producing clouds. Eventually the sun comes out and the sky has the rounded cumulus clouds that gracefully float away.
Tempo & style
Moderately (QN=100)
Ranges
Flute
|
Clarinet 1
|
Clarinet 2
|
Trumpet
|
Trombone
|
instrumentation
WOODWIND
Flute Oboe (opt.) Clarinet 1-2 Bass Clarinet* Bassoon* Alto Sax Tenor Sax (opt.) Baritone Sax* |
BRASS
Trumpet 1-2 French Horn (opt.) Trombone* Baritone* Tuba* *One or more will provide an adequate bass line. |
PERCUSSION
Bells Snare Drum Bass Drum Triangle Tambourine Crash Cymbals |
teaching concept categories
teaching considerations
The styles of the three sections should relate to the various cloud forms. Consider showing the group pictures of the various clouds forms, particularly in the case of the "cirrus" and "cumulus" clouds, which are less familiar than the thundercloud. Strive for four-bar phrases, avoiding the tendency to breathe after each slurred group. In the final section (cumulus clouds), attempt to give expressive contour to each of the groups of eighth notes, passing the musical idea lightly back and forth between the different sections of the ensemble.