Meridian: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Ola Gjeilo
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00218596
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Description
"Meridian" comes very much out of the composer's love for ostinato, or groove-based, music. Other diverse influences include the World Music-infused jazz of Keith Jarrett and Jan Garbarek, as well as the symphonies of Shostakovich. This exciting and creative work is written with a consistent rhythmic drive throughout, and features a prominent role for piano. Dur: 8:00
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00218596
More about this title
About the Composer: Ola Gjeilo
Ola Gjeilo is a Norwegian composer whose concert works blend classical rigor with an ear for contemporary sonorities and world music influences. He has become a significant voice in both classical and crossover circles, with a particular gift for writing accessible yet sophisticated music that rewards both performers and audiences.
Why we love this
Meridian captures something vital about how contemporary composers think about rhythm and forward momentum. The ostinato foundation gives your band something concrete to latch onto, while the world music and jazz inflections keep the soundworld fresh and engaging. At eight minutes, it's substantial enough to anchor a concert program without requiring an ensemble at the absolute top tier.
What to expect
Meridian pulses with restless energy, anchored by hypnotic rhythmic patterns that feel almost ritualistic. The influence of Shostakovich emerges in harmonic moments that cloud the surface brightness, creating an intelligent work that's exciting without being simplistic.
Who it's for
Bands with solid fundamentals and pianists ready for a featured role will thrive with this work. It's written for groups that can handle Grade 4 technique while also bringing stylistic awareness to contemporary harmony and groove-based writing.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the ostinato layers clean and distinct. The groove depends on hearing each rhythmic layer as its own voice, not a blur of accompaniment.
- Feature the piano soloist generously. This is not background accompaniment; the piano carries significant melodic and harmonic responsibility throughout.
- Balance the diverse harmonic language by maintaining clarity in ensemble intonation, particularly where world music and jazz inflections create unexpected chord colors.
- Sustain the rhythmic drive across structural shifts. The piece maintains forward momentum even when the surface activity shifts, so avoid letting tempo drag during busier or quieter sections.
How to use it
Position Meridian as a centerpiece that showcases your band's contemporary voice. It pairs naturally with other Grade 4 works that embrace modern harmony and rhythmic sophistication, and it's equally at home at a festival or concert setting where you want to demonstrate musical range beyond traditional classical fare.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining ostinato patterns with precision while other voices move independently
- Listening to and balancing multiple concurrent rhythmic layers
- Playing contemporary jazz and world music inflected harmony with confidence
- Supporting and responding to a featured soloist (piano) as a band unit
- Sustaining momentum through non-traditional formal structures