Mountain Fantasy: E-flat Baritone Saxophone

The disjunct melody has angular energy, like peaks and valleys in quick succession. Syncopation and changing time signatures create forward momentum and unpredictability, pulling listeners through each phrase. Despite the modern rhythmic language, the piece feels accessible and exhilarating rather than austere.

Concert bands at the intermediate level who are ready to tackle contemporary rhythmic language without excessive technical demands. Younger groups building confidence with mixed meters will benefit from the straightforward ranges and clear orchestration.

• Subdivide through the time signature changes in sectionals before rehearsing the full piece. Have winds and percussion mark their beat patterns explicitly until the transitions feel automatic, not jarring.
• Balance the syncopated rhythms against the melody by having the featured voice play with confidence while supporting parts lay back slightly. Syncopation disappears if everyone pushes equally.
• Isolate entrances after rests, especially those landing on unexpected beats. A quick count-off before these moments prevents the band from rushing or dragging back in.

Program this in the body of a concert to showcase your band's rhythmic sophistication and contemporary music literacy. Its compact two-page format makes it ideal for a full concert opener or a sharp contrast between Baroque or Romantic pieces and newer works.

• Reading and executing changing time signatures (mixed 4/4 and other meters)
• Playing syncopated rhythms with precision and clarity
• Tracking disjunct melodic lines with clear phrasing
• Maintaining ensemble cohesion through metric modulations