Paradox: (wp) 1st B-flat Trombone T.C.

Story grounds this piece in genuine acoustic science rather than gimmickry, using the Tritone Paradox as a launching point for real compositional exploration. The Grade 2 writing stays transparent enough for developing sections to own their parts while the harmonic language keeps experienced bands engaged.

Paradox unfolds like a musical riddle that keeps both performers and listeners slightly off balance in the best way. The tritone's unsettling quality creates an atmosphere of ambiguity and intrigue, with moments of clarity breaking through to keep the listener grounded.

Band directors working with developing ensembles who want to program something contemporary without sacrificing musical substance. Students at Grade 2 level gain exposure to extended harmony and perceptual concepts that deepen their listening skills.

• Balance the tritone intervals carefully so they register distinctly without overwhelming the ensemble; many students will hear them differently, which is exactly the point.
• Mark your score liberally with the exact intervals Story uses so your brass and woodwind sections understand the harmonic architecture underneath their individual lines.
• Bring out melodic statements that move across sections rather than treating them as fill; the piece's logic depends on hearing how the tritone shifts its perceived direction.

Program this as a feature piece on a concert that explores contemporary approaches to familiar musical elements, or pair it with a contrasting programmatic work to highlight how different composers tackle storytelling through sound. It works equally well in a contest setting where the harmonic language and Grade 2 accessibility position it for strong results.

• Recognizing and performing tritone intervals in both melodic and harmonic contexts
• Listening critically to how the same interval can create different perceptual effects
• Balancing independent ensemble lines to highlight harmonic relationships
• Interpreting contemporary musical notation and concepts