Dance of the Jabberwocky: E-flat Baritone Saxophone

Grice has a gift for writing pieces that sound far more sophisticated than their technical demands suggest. The Jabberwocky concept gives you legitimate permission to be playful and theatrical with your ensemble, while trombone glissandi and the ratchet effect add character and intrigue that students genuinely enjoy executing. At this accessible level, it's refreshing to find something that doesn't feel juvenile yet remains genuinely fun to rehearse and perform.

The Jabberwocky springs to life on the page with quirky rhythmic gestures and unexpected harmonic turns that evoke the nonsense and playfulness of Carroll's original poem. Trombone slides and the clatter of the ratchet punctuate the proceedings like sound effects from a theatrical production, creating a piece that is genuinely witty rather than trying too hard to be cute.

Concert bands at the middle school level and developing high school ensembles will find this piece perfectly suited to their abilities and energy. Directors seeking repertoire that challenges students to balance musicality with humor, and that appeals equally to younger audiences and fellow musicians, will return to this piece year after year.

• Bring out the character of the glissandi in the trombone section by having those players practice the slides at slow tempos first, emphasizing control over speed. Once they're comfortable, let them add just a touch of theatrical flair without losing musical shape.
• Time the ratchet entrance carefully with the conductor so it lands as a surprise punctuation mark rather than a distraction. A brief rehearsal focusing on that specific cue will pay off in performance.
• Encourage your wind players to listen for the harmonic movement beneath the humorous surface; the piece works best when the ensemble locks together rhythmically and harmonically, giving the novelty elements room to shine.

Use this as your program lightener in a concert built around a thematic structure or as a palate cleanser between heavier works. It pairs well with other whimsical repertoire or can anchor a "Music and Literature" concert alongside excerpts from or readings of Carroll's poetry.

• Executing glissandi with control and clear articulation
• Maintaining ensemble cohesion during rhythmically syncopated passages
• Balancing dynamic contrast and articulation to clarify comedic intent
• Responding to theatrical and expressive conducting cues
• Coordinating with auxiliary percussion effects in context