The Age of the Dinosaur: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Marlatt captures genuine character through economical orchestration, letting each dinosaur's personality emerge without cluttering the texture. The piece balances humor and musicality in equal measure, giving developing quintets a chance to play something genuinely entertaining rather than merely competent. Contest and festival judges respond to writing that combines accessibility with real compositional craft, and this delivers both.

Lumbering and prehistoric in the sauropod section, then buoyant and soaring when the pterosaurs take flight. The sudden attack sequences of the T-Rex provide sharp dramatic contrast, making the piece feel like a musical safari through three distinct sonic worlds.

Brass quintets ready to move beyond fundamentals into pieces with genuine musical narrative. This works well for groups preparing for contest or festival play, or any ensemble seeking repertoire that engages audiences beyond the typical classical fare.

• Shape the sauropod opening with deliberate dynamic control. Their weight matters more than speed, so allow the heavy, plodding material to breathe with slight hesitation rather than rushing through changes.
• Coordinate the pterosaur passages as an ensemble. The freedom of floating flight translates musically into clean section balance without sacrificing the sense of effortless gliding.
• Bring clarity to the T-Rex attacks with precision ensemble attacks. Sudden and powerful passages demand tight rhythm section alignment and unified articulation across all voices.

Program this as a centerpiece for a young ensemble's quintet debut or festival appearance. Its accessible difficulty and built-in audience appeal make it ideal for a family or community concert context where you want musicians to sound accomplished and audiences to stay engaged.

• Characterization and storytelling through instrumental performance
• Dynamic contrast and shaping at the quintet level
• Precision in sudden attacks and rhythmic ensemble clarity
• Balance between individual voice projection and collective blend