for Woodwind Ensemble.
Duration: 6mins in 3 movements
Perusal Score/Recording (Michigan State University Wind Symphony, Kevin Sedatole, cond.)
 
Three Odes really doesn’t take itself seriously. At all. Inspired by wind band suites by Holst, Vaughn Williams, Milhaud, and Jacob (which are often referred to as “band candy”), this piece is cast in three movements. First up, a nostalgic march movement nodding to Vaughn Williams and Jacob, then a slow movement nodding to Jacob and Milhaud, and finally an annoying jig-like movement nodding to Holst. The work features modal harmonic language (with a few twists) in order to evoke the sense of odd familiarity with the aforementioned suites, but something is a little off; the entire piece features irregular phrase lengths of three, five, and even six bars rather than the usual four or eight. Additionally, there is no brass! (Ok, maybe one can make the case for saxes being brass...but eh.) Instead, the work is scored for an expanded woodwind section which is a nod to the fact that many military bands of the time were comprised of 2/3rds woodwinds.