PROGRAM NOTES: The Pirate from Egypt
This composition is about a pirate from Egypt’s journey to an island. He faces problems on the way and meets new people.
Section 1 (Fast)
A
The pirate has set off for his journey to the island. The Tuba, Double Bass and the Timpani are representing the rocky waves of the ocean. The clashing notes from the flutes, oboes, Eb clarinet, glockenspiel and the trumpets are the ship swaying and bumping from the rocky waves. I have used a minor pentatonic scale to represent the start of a journey as there is lots more to come. The 5/4 bars make it tense for the audience and it is the rockiness of the boat, these 5/4 bars happen throughout the piece.
B
The lead up before B is preparing the audience for the intense music. B represents the stormy weather and the rough sea. I have done this by making the dynamic fortissimo and making the percussion section busy. The percussion is a big part of this piece and there shouldn’t be any parts not being played as they are all as important as every other part. Bar 28-32 is the Eye of the storm. In every storm there is apart when it is calm and quiet. The wind chimes at bar 28 through to 29 represent the light sprinkling rain.
D
The storm is bigger and more dangerous than it was before! The flute, alto sax and the French horn runs are representing the thunder and lightning. The big French horn glissando acts as a big wave crashing over the boat, drenching the Egyptian pirate. This should be bought out a lot and make use of the big crescendo start really quiet and end up really loud. This should be on top of the band. If you were to perform this the French horns would stand up as it is a big feature for them.
E
The storm is getting bigger and dangerous. This is the peak of the storm. The dynamic at this point is fortissimo and should give the audience the idea of fear. The trills and embellishments of the flutes help get the idea out that it is getting dangerous. Bar 40 is P and crescendos up to forte to give it a magical effect. Bar 60 is getting calm preparing the audience the slow section of the piece. I have used harmony, swells, slurs and phrasing to give it a mysterious feel. The harmony should be bought out.
Section 2 (slow)
This section is the part where the pirate has arrived at his destination. The weather is nice and sunny, and he hasn’t got any challenges.
F
Section 2 has change from a minor key to a major key. Bar 65-68 there is only three instruments playing: Flute solo, double bass and bass clarinet. This is where the pirate is exploring the island trying to find people. Bar 69-74 is a really nice flute and bassoon duet.
The dynamics are quiet at this point and it should be played like a hymn with a nice round, warm sound.
G
At bar 79 the flutes, bassoon and the oboe correspond to the trees swaying side to side as the sea breeze comes in.
H
At letter H there is a change of key. Goes from Bb major to C major, D major and then back to Bb major. This little interlude equates to the pirate meeting new people. The accents at bar 88 should be big and bell like. It also would be a good idea to drag the last two beats of this bar although it is not written. The percussion section at bar 89 give the rest of this section a Rock ballad type of feel. Letters H to I has some really nice counter melodies and they should be bought out.
Section 1 – Part 2
The pirate has left for his journey back to Egypt. The storm has started again, and he has more challenges ahead of him.
I
Section 1 is a model piece like Miles Davis’s “So What”. I have given the same rhythm from the tambourine to the saxophones and the bass clarinet to greater the energy and to make it build up to the end of the piece.
This is my first composition for concert band and is the best work I have done in my music writing. This has taken me about three months to write.
Bayden Adams
BIOGRAPHY: Bayden Adams
My name is Bayden Adams. I was born in Bunbury, Western Australia in 2003. I began my musical journey in 2005 when my aunty gave me an accordion for my birthday. From that day I have never looked back. In 2008 I began having piano lessons. I enjoyed putting on mini concerts for my family where my talent really shone through.
In 2010, I entered my first eisteddfod where I had some success in 2011 winning some of my sections. Also, in 2011, I tried my luck in dancing. After continuing dance for 4 years, I decided it was time to concentrate on my music. I entered many more Eisteddfods coming away with some excellent results. 2018 being one of my best years coming home with ten first places and one second place, and also the piano encouragement award for that years Eisteddfod.
I decided to learn the trumpet in 2014. From that day on, the trumpet became a huge part of my life. 2015 I started high school at Australind Senior High School which happens to be a Jazz Specialised school. I then realised playing the piano and the trumpet wasn’t enough for me, so ever since then I have been teaching myself the Drums, Trombone and Saxophone.
In 2016, I decided to pick up the bugle and learn the last post. Ever since then I have been very busy on the 25th of April and 11th of November playing at school and community services, my biggest service being in the City of Perth playing with 100 other buglers for the 100th anniversary in 2018.
Starting high school also brought me many more new opportunities as it exposed me to many bands at school and the community of which I also conduct. 2018 was the best year of my life so far. I received a scholarship to fly over to Sydney Australia and take part of the “Jazz Workshop Australia” Camp, which was really fun and let me finally meet my hero James Morrison. I also travelled to Vietnam as a member of the Bunbury City Brass Band representing Bunbury which was my lifetime highlight so far.
In 2018, I started to get a passion for composing and arranging for concert bands, brass bands and big bands. I have quite a number of compositions and arrangements for my age. I am hoping that one day I will have a career as an Arranger/Composer and a Musical Director. It is now 2019 where I am 15 years old and are in 12 bands. In 2019 I am continuing with my piano exams where I will be sitting my Grade 7 AMEB Piano Exam. I will also be flying over to Port Macquarie, New South Wales to take part in the 2019 Big Band Blast with the school Senior jazz Big Band.
I’m not sure where my musical journey will take me in the future, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey so far.
Bayden Adams
30/1/2019