DESCRIPTION:
On the Wings of a Griffin was composed for the inaugural performance by the South Forsyth Middle School
Sixth-Grade Advanced Band in the spring of 2016. Premiered at the Forsyth County Concert Band Festival
on February 19, 2016, the two-part work is in C-minor and showcases the entire ensemble. A Griffin is a
mythological creature with the body of a lion and the wings and talons of an eagle. The creature was the
symbol of divine power and can be found on the crests of countless kings and royal courts. The beginning
section (measures 1-12) is bold and dramatic based on fragments of the primary melody later in the work,
and is symbolic of the power and majesty of the creature. The second section is the creature taking flight and
features a gradual building of the rhythmic ostinato underneath the melody. At measure 41, the percussion section
is featured and is symbolic of a potential conflict with the creature. This section leads to a final restatement of the
melody (measure 55-63) showcasing the low instruments of the band, which is followed by a brief and exciting
concluding section (measure 64-end).
Rehearsal Notes
Throughout the work, careful attention should be paid to balancing the contribution of the rhythmic layers against
the melody. When I teach my younger students, I use the rule, “The longer you play the something the less important
it becomes musically.” Another way to word the same phrase, “Can you hear what is new and what is most important?”
There are specific percussion-only moments where the percussionists can be encouraged to play with fuller volumes.
However, when the ensemble re-enters, dynamics need to be readjusted back to an accompanying role. The rhythm,
which first appears in measure 17 performed by the saxophones, can easily be distorted and the last note performed
on beat 4. Work to maintain the accuracy of this rhythm. On the pick-a-note in the music, please encourage the students
to still play with great tone and to let the dissonance create the musical tension. I would also encourage you to give the
performers some guidelines for these types of notes. I typically use these two simple rules: 1) The note must within four
chromatic notes of the resolution note, and 2) Your note cannot be the same as the people on either side of you. Throughout
the work, pay close attention to eighth-notes remaining light and detached and quarter-notes should have some space between the notes.

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