Flight of Passage Suite

Abstract

Flight of Passage, a suite for jazz orchestra, is an original musical composition inspired by three global wine growing regions: [Los] Carneros in California, [La] Rioja in Spain, and Reims in France. The work is scored for five woodwind instrumentalists, four high brass, four low brass, and rhythm section. Generally scored for doublings and soloists specific to the 2023-2024 University of Arizona Studio Jazz Band, the woodwinds comprise Reed 1 (alto saxophone, flute, piccolo flute), Reed 2 (alto saxophone, flute), Reed 3 (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone), Reed 4 (tenor saxophone, clarinet in B-flat), and Reed 5 (baritone saxophone, clarinet in B-flat, bass clarinet). High brass consists of four trumpets in B-flat, with flugelhorn doubles required from the third and fourth section players during the second movement. The low brass consists of three tenor trombones and one bass trombone. For the sake of achieving coloristic effects, brass mute usage is frequent. Rhythm section scoring is for electric guitar, piano, bass (electric for movement one, acoustic upright for movements two and three), drum kit, and percussion. Percussion duties span three mallet instruments (vibraphone, xylophone, and glockenspiel) and miscellaneous instruments (triangle and windchimes). Improvising soloist assignments comprise Reed 1 (alto saxophone), Reed 3 (tenor saxophone), Trombone 2, and Trumpet 4. The suite is divided into three movements, one for each of the above listed wine regions. Though not intended as a programmatic work, each movement is composed using specific techniques and characteristics in order to evoke the profiles of specific wines – chardonnay, rioja, and champagne, respectively – associated with the three regions. All themes are original and do not intentionally quote other works. All examples provided in the appendix are in transposed pitch (unless otherwise indicated).