Entrance of the Shogun: Brass Choir, Conductor Score & Parts

Marlatt strips away harmonic complexity to focus on something more powerful: pure sonority and rhythmic drive. By committing entirely to the pentatonic scale, he forces the brass choir to listen as an ensemble unit rather than relying on traditional chord function. The result is a piece that sounds both exotic and immediately playable.

Stately and ceremonial, with the kind of controlled power you hear in traditional Japanese court music. There's an architectural quality to the piece; each phrase feels measured and deliberate, building authority through repetition rather than surprise.

Brass choirs and chamber ensembles seeking repertoire that teaches ensemble listening and intonation without getting bogged down in chromatic complexity. This works equally well for contest preparation, cultural exploration units, or simply adding something fresh to a brass program.

• Balance the melody across your ensemble rather than assigning it to a single voice. The pentatonic limitations mean each note carries weight; distribute tuning responsibility evenly across the section.
• Shape phrases through dynamics alone. Without harmonic movement to propel the music forward, crescendos and diminuendos become your primary expressive tools.
• Lock in with the percussion section from the first rehearsal. The rhythmic character of this piece depends entirely on tight coordination between brass and any accompanying rhythm instruments.
• Pay attention to articulation as a coloristic choice. Varying staccato, legato, and marcato attacks gives the pentatonic material fresh character in repetition.

Schedule this alongside other world music selections to highlight how different cultures achieve grandeur through different musical tools. It also works as a strong opening number for a concert, setting a focused and professional tone before moving into more varied repertoire.

• Ensemble balance and blending within a restricted harmonic palette
• Tuning and intonation of repeated pitch collections
• Shaping phrases through dynamics and articulation rather than harmonic progression
• Rhythmic precision in minimalist contexts
• Understanding of pentatonic scales and non-Western tonal systems