Falling Stars (Flex Band)

Instrumentation
Transposed Score (showing all transposed parts)
Condensed Score (only "C" parts)

Adaptable Parts
(2 copies of each of all parts for each listed instrument)

Part 1: Flute, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet, Trumpet
Part 2: B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet, E-flat Alto Saxophone
Part 3: B-flat Clarinet/Trumpet, E-flat Alto Saxophone, F Horn
Part 4: B-flat Tenor Saxophone/Bass Clarinet/Baritone TC, F Horn, Trombone/Euphonium/Bassoon
Part 5: B-flat Bass Clarinet, E-flat Baritone Saxophone, Trombone/Euphonium/Bassoon, Tuba, Double Bass
Piano [optional]
Percussion Parts (100% optional)
Timpani (4 drums)
Bells
Vibraphone
Percussion 1: Wind Chimes, Suspended Cymbal
Percussion 2: Triangle, Bass Drum

Program Notes
Inspired by a poem of the same name by Rainer Maria Rilke, "Falling Stars" paints a picture of reflection, wonder, and longing through its vivid imagery of a meteor shower.

FALLING STARS by RAINER MARIA RILKE (trans. Albert Ernest Flemming)
Do you remember still the falling stars
that like swift horses through the heavens raced
and suddenly leaped across the hurdles
of our wishes--do you recall? And we
did make so many! For there were countless numbers
of stars: each time we looked above we were
astounded by the swiftness of their daring play,
while in our hearts we felt safe and secure
watching these brilliant bodies disintegrate,
knowing somehow we had survived their fall.

ABOUT THE SERIES
The SpectraFlex Series for adaptable wind band offers flexibility with pieces across all grade levels, featuring traditional high-to-low scoring with 5 or 6 parts and optional percussion. Each part is transposed and playable by a multitude of wind or keyboard percussion instruments while maintaining the spectrum of sound we have grown to love about the wind band.