Sunburst: Flute 1
By Erik Morales
Grade: 3
Item: 98-PC-DB1391_F1
$7.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
Depicting the awe-inspiring moments after a thunderstorm, this concert overture is an exciting and dramatic work that portrays streaks of sunlight jetting toward the horizon. A lyrical opening sets the tone as the clouds begin to break, and then the music takes off in a frenzy of excitement as the sunlight breaks through. Incredible harmonies intertwine with dynamic fanfares and woodwind flourishes as the work continues to develop. A lyrical section provides a brief respite to the active rhythmic pulse before the music takes off again, building to one last heroic statement of the main theme. Inspirational!
Sunburst: Flute 1 isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
FJH Concert Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1391_F1
More about this title
About the Composer: Erik Morales
Erik Morales has composed over 150 published works spanning wind, orchestral, jazz, and chamber settings since launching his career in 1985. Born in New York City in 1966, he studied composition at Florida International University and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. His output balances artistic depth with pedagogical accessibility, earning him regular commissions from schools and organizations across the country.
Morales has made significant contributions to the trumpet repertoire, with his ensemble works earning recognition at the 2006 and 2008 National Trumpet Competitions. His Concerto for Trumpet in C and Piano premiered at the 2009 International Trumpet Guild conference, and a consortium-commissioned Concerto for Two Trumpets debuted at the 2013 ITG conference in Grand Rapids. In 2016, he was inducted into the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education's Hall of Fame.
Why we love this
Morales captures the emotional arc of a weather event with genuine musical substance, never relying on cliché orchestration. The balance between dramatic intensity and lyrical repose keeps the ensemble engaged while remaining accessible at Grade 3, making it rewarding for both players and audiences.
What to expect
The music opens with hushed anticipation as clouds fracture, revealing the first golden light. Energy erupts in brilliant waves of color and motion, punctuated by soaring fanfares and dancing woodwind passages. A moment of calm allows reflection before the final surge, as sunlight claims the sky with undeniable authority.
Who it's for
Band directors seeking a concert opener or contest selection that delivers drama without overwrought complexity. Players at the Grade 3 level gain experience with layered harmonic writing, dynamic contrast, and narrative pacing in a single work.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening lyrically by sustaining phrase direction in the woodwinds; avoid letting the soft dynamics flatten the harmonic movement that sets up the storm's arrival.
- Build momentum through the main excitement section by maintaining consistent rhythmic clarity across the band; the harmonic richness only lands when the pulse stays propulsive.
- Contrast the mid-section respite with genuine relaxation in the ensemble sound and tempo; this breath makes the final return to the main theme feel earned and heroic.
- Use dynamic fanfares to cut through the texture by securing precision entrances and clear articulation, especially in the brass, rather than relying on volume alone.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener to establish energy and visual interest, or pair it with contrasting lyrical repertoire to showcase the band's dynamic range. Its weather-inspired narrative works well in thematic concerts focused on nature or seasonal concerts, and the contest designation makes it ideal for spring festival programming.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing through harmonic changes
- Executing dynamic fanfares with precision and impact
- Balancing rhythmic propulsion with musical phrasing
- Transitioning between contrasting tempos and textures
- Reading and responding to conductor cues in rapidly shifting sections