Avalanche in the Bleak Midwinter is currently unavailable

About this arrangement

Concert Band - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1075595 Composed by Brian Monroe. Arranged by Brian Monroe. 20th Century,Contemporary,Folk,Holiday,Instructional. 175 pages. BLM Music Publications (https://brianmonroemusic.com) #679791. Published by BLM Music Publications (https://brianmonroemusic.com) (A0.1075595). Avalanche in the Bleak Midwinter, a seven movement theatrical composition and study in orchestration, texture and contrasts. Various percussion instruments are used to provide different colors. The percussionists move through the audience and two percussionists are positioned behind the audience to create a surround sound effect. Light effects, such as blackouts, dimly lit scenes, colored lighting and even a "disco ball" effect all help to visually depict the story. I. A Setting and a Snowstorm The work is set in a small mountain village. Each year after the first heavy snowfall, one man must climb to the peak of the mountain to pray for an easy winter. The first movement describes the village with its church bells ringing, echoing against the mountains and the peaceful villagers, represented by the Hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter”. The crotales introduce the snowstorm motif which carries through the entire ensemble. The storm becomes very strong as represented by the full ensemble sections. It then clears, fading into the second movement. II. Climbers Song The second movement, Climbers Song depicts the steadfast pace of the man as he climbs the mountain. As he ascends, the energy grows until he reaches the top His heart beats faster as he rises. The last few steps are energized with the feeling of accomplishment. With this, he relaxes and thinks about his journey and the task still to come. A faint flutter of snowflakes still dances in the air. His reflection is represented by the brief hymn quote. III. Where the Peaks Scrape the Sky The man stands at the peak and looks out over the mountain range and down to his village below. The peaks seem to scrape the sky as the wind blows the clouds overhead. The cold and splendid beauty of this place is witnessed through the shimmering woodwinds and percussion. IV & V Dispersion! & Avalanche The man finishes his ceremony and begins to descend when suddenly the ground begins to shake. At first, there is no movement then slowly the shattering effect is felt as an Avalanche Begins. The rumbling bass maracas begin and lead to the Avalanche theme. Clashing and smashing percussion sounds serve to reintroduce the hymn, this time dissonantly harmonized representing the destructive forces of nature. The mans is wiped from the mountain and buried as the darkness suddenly descends on him. The world is desolate. VI Aftermath, Reflections, Survival Unconsciousness fades as he realizes his situation. Buried, but alive, the man reflects upon what has happened. His faith calms him with the fact that he has accomplished his task and gives him a sense of peace. Undaunted he attempts to free himself. This is represented by the use of a new melody, based on In the Bleak Mid Winter which is repeated and varied. Each repetition adds more textures & colors as our hero conquers death. With the final exalted burst of color and energy, the man is free. He has conquered the mountain and can return home. VII Epilogue The man returns home and the work ends much as it began, with the snow falling upon the village, the church bells in the distance, and the hint of a choir singing upon the wind and snowflakes that dance in the air.  For best readability, print the score on 11x17" paper.   This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard’s global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds. About Digital Downloads Digital Downloads are downloadable sheet music files that can be viewed directly on your computer, tablet or mobile device. Once you download your digital sheet music, you can view and print it at home, school, or anywhere you want to make music, and you don’t have to be connected to the internet. Just purchase, download and play! PLEASE NOTE: Your Digital Download will have a watermark at the bottom of each page that will include your name, purchase date and number of copies purchased. You are only authorized to print the number of copies that you have purchased. You may not digitally distribute or print more copies than purchased for use (i.e., you may not print or digitally distribute individual copies to friends or students).