Pieces for Wind EnsemblesOstara is a bright and vibrant piece composed for a Grade 2 wind quintet, inspired by the feeling that you get when you witness the first signs of spring: animals waking from hibernation, birds nesting, and newborn wildlife appearing. This piece is a good resource for students wanting to be subtly introduced to metre changes, and gain confidence in articulation and expression.
Ostara
Wind Quintet Grade 2
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Wind Quintet Grade 2 〰️
Difficulty Grade 2: Beginner-Intermediate
Duration 1:43
Instrumentation Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn.
Composer Notes A Bass Clarinet part is provided as an alternative for ensembles without a Bassoon player, allowing the piece to be performed by a wind quintet without a Bassoon. The Oboe part can double as a Flute 2 part if ensemble does not have an Oboe player.
Pedagogical Notes (Ostara)
Musical Features
Metre changes: the metre remains in 3/4 for the majority of the piece, with one irregular measure of 5/4 to bridge into the final section.
Articulation and expression: students are introduced to expressive techniques such as leggiero and scherzando, as well as how to play staccatos with intention.
Harmony: This piece is based around a series of diatonic chord progressions, making it easier for students to follow.
Technical Challenges
Flute: playing with expression, octave slurs, playing higher notes at a soft dynamic.
Oboe/Flute 2: playing with expression, ornamentation such as trills and grace notes.
Clarinet: playing with expression and transitioning above the break with quavers.
French Horn: playing with expression and coordinating the use of soft dynamics.
Bassoon: using the whisper key and coordinating the use of soft dynamics.
Bass Clarinet: coordinating the use of soft dynamics.
Metamorphosis is a programmatic piece written for grade 2 woodwind quartet. It aims to convey the beauty of a butterfly’s lifecycle: from a caterpillar longing to grow wings, through its transformation, to its short life as a butterfly before it eventually dies. Through constantly changing tempo, metre, and dynamics, the piece reflects the unpredictability of life as an insect. This piece is written for beginner students that are transitioning to slightly more challenging pieces. Metamorphosis allows students to develop stronger skills in ensemble volume blending, tone management, and key work for challenging octave passages.
Metamorphosis
Woodwind Quartet Grade 2
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Woodwind Quartet Grade 2 〰️
Pedagogical Notes (Metamorphosis)
Musical Features
Tempo changes: the piece changes tempo frequently, transitioning through gradual tempo markings such as ritardando, accelerando, and poco accelerando. Students will need to watch conductor for cues during rehearsal.
Metre changes: there are frequent metre changes between simple and compound time (4/4, 2/4, 3/4, and 6/8).
Technical Challenges
Flute: tempo and metre changes, quick arpeggiated finger work, effective implementation of ornamentation (trills), volume management and tone across the 5th and 6th octave.
Oboe: tempo and metre changes, introduction to syncopation, maintaining the tone of low notes in the 3rd and 4th octave (C4-B3), and coordinating fingering and embouchure of D5 note.
Flute 2: tempo and metre changes, introduction to syncopation, maintaining tone on low notes, and using the roller key for C4 (and B3 if applicable).
Clarinet: tempo and metre changes, effective implementation of expression techniques (staccatos and accents), and coordinating fast but smooth jumps between the 3rd and 4th octave.
Bassoon: tempo and metre changes, coordinating the use of the whisper key, volume management and tone across the 4th octave.
Bass Clarinet: tempo and metre changes, maintaining embouchure across the 3rd octave, and volume management and tone in the 3rd and 4th octave.
Difficulty Grade 2: Beginner-Intermediate
Duration 2:16
Instrumentation Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon.
Composer Notes A Bass Clarinet part is provided as an alternative for ensembles without a Bassoon player, allowing the piece to be performed without a Bassoon. The Oboe part can double as a Flute 2 part if ensemble does not have an Oboe player.