Invasion is a programmatic piece for Grade 4 concert band that follows a fictional scenario in which aliens descend upon Earth and cause mayhem. The piece focuses on developing tone quality, breath management, articulation, and phrasing, while incorporating changing metre and expressive ornamentation to challenge performers’ technical proficiency and rhythmic precision. These musical features help convey the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the alien invasion while providing opportunities for performers to develop technical control and expressive musicianship.

Difficulty Grade 4: Intermediate-Advanced

Duration 2:46

Instrumentation Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet 1, Trumpet 2, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Vibraphone, Triangle, Flexatone, Vibraslap, Crash Cymbal, Bass Drum.

Composer Notes My reference point for this piece was a scene from the 1996 film, Independence Day, where the aliens launch their attack on the city. A Clarinet 3 part is provided as an alternative for ensembles without a Bassoon player. A Flute 3 part is provided as an alternative for ensembles without an Oboe player. A Tenor Saxophone 2 part is provided as an alternative for ensembles without a Baritone Saxophone. If your concert band doesn’t own a flexatone, any similar instrument may be used: Musical Saw, Slide Whistle, Vibraphone, or even an audio recording from online.

Pedagogical Notes

Musical Features

Changing metre: The piece regularly alternates between simple triple and compound triple metre, highlighting the differences in rhythmic feel, subdivision and emphasis between the two. This challenges performers to adapt to changing rhythmic groupings while maintaining a consistent pulse.

Tone stability: The piece emphasises tone quality, breath management and pitch stability, particularly within the brass section. Performers must maintain a consistent, supported tone across varying dynamics, registers and phrase lengths.

Ornamentation and expression: The piece incorporates a range of expressive techniques, particularly within the woodwind section, including mordents, trills, grace notes and staccato articulation. These features develop performers’ technical precision, rhythmic accuracy and ability to shape musical phrases expressively.

Technical Challenges

Flutes: effective implementation of ornamentation (mordents and grace notes), fast-paced and complex rhythmic ideas, and volume management and tone across the 6th octave (up to an F6).

Oboe: effective implementation of ornamentation (mordent, grace notes), single tonguing fast phrases, breath management in lengthy phrases, and intonation in the 5th octave.

Clarinets: effective implementation of expression techniques (specifically staccatos), coordinating fast finger patterns above the break, and coordinating a call and response between the 1st and 2nd Clarinets.

Bass Clarinet: maintaining embouchure across the 3rd octave, and volume management and tone in the 3rd and 4th octave.

Saxophones: effective implementation of ornamentation (mordents, trills, and grace notes), effective implementation of expression techniques (specifically staccatos), fast-paced and complex rhythmic ideas, and coordinating fast chromatic/arpeggiated finger patterns.

Bassoon: volume management and tone across the 5th octave, and effective use of embouchure for air support.

Horn: Clarity in articulation (particularly between slurred and tongued passages), and volume management and tone.

Trumpets: Clarity in articulation (particularly between slurred and tongued passages), and pitch stability across quiet sections.

Trombone: Clarity in articulation (particularly between slurred and tongued passages), and pitch stability across quiet sections.

Euphonium: Clarity in articulation (particularly between slurred and tongued passages), breath management and tone stability in sustained notes, and volume management.

Tuba: Clarity in articulation (particularly between slurred and tongued passages), and pitch and tone stability across the medium high range (3rd octave).

Percussion: volume balancing and keeping accurate time.