Turbulence: Double Bass
By William Owens
Grade: 2
Item: 98-PC-DST6287_SB
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Description
The brisk tempo and progressive dissonances of this aggressive work suggest an atmosphere of unyielding tension and unrest. The introduction lashes out with driving rhythms and a stalwart melodic statement. The music then calms into a somber, flowing middle section before returning to the original themes and a brazen conclusion. Spectacular!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Developing Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DST6287_SB
More about this title
About the Composer: William Owens
William Owens (b. 1963) grew up in Gary, Indiana, and studied composition at Chicago's VanderCook College of Music, where he graduated in 1985. Over three decades as a band director in Texas and throughout his career as a clinician and conductor, he built a catalog of more than 300 works for young ensembles that are performed on contest and festival programs across North America.
Owens' compositions are recognized for their practical pedagogy and musical substance. His works appear on required music lists nationwide and in educational texts, earning him Distinguished Alumnus status from VanderCook and the Texas Bandmasters Association's Meritorious Achievement Award. He holds memberships in ASCAP, TMEA, and Phi Beta Mu International, and has received commissions from South Plains College, the American Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu.
Why we love this
Owens delivers the dramatic arc a Grade 2 string orchestra needs without overwhelming young players. The structure is transparent: a fierce opening statement, a genuine contrast in the middle section, and a confident return that feels earned rather than recycled. Directors programming festival seasons will find this piece checks every box for building technical confidence while keeping audiences engaged.
What to expect
Turbulence captures the restless energy of its title. The aggressive opening bristles with tension; the middle section offers genuine respite through somber lyricism; the return builds to a defiant conclusion. The piece moves listeners without relying on sentimental gestures, offering young players a chance to perform music with genuine emotional weight.
Who it's for
Grade 2 string orchestras preparing for festivals or seeking a concert piece with real dramatic substance. This work suits ensembles that have solid rhythmic foundations and are ready to explore harmonic complexity without advanced technical demands on individual parts.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the driving rhythms of the introduction cleanly before introducing the melodic statement; these two elements need distinct articulation even as they overlap.
- Shape the somber middle section with sustained tone quality; this is where young strings learn the difference between playing notes and singing through a phrase.
- Balance the dissonances in the progressive sections so they create tension without sounding accidental; conduct with clarity so the ensemble hears the intent behind the harmonic friction.
- Build the conclusion gradually, resisting the urge to rush the return to the original themes; the brazen finish lands harder when it arrives with control.
How to use it
Program this as a contrasting centerpiece between lighter opening works and closing celebration pieces. Its festival-ready structure and dramatic arc make it ideal for mid-season performances when your ensemble has gained maturity but still benefits from repertoire with clear structural signposts. The piece also works well as a threshold into intermediate-level playing, signaling to students that Grade 2 can still deliver sophisticated musical experiences.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing progressive dissonances with rhythmic precision
- Sustaining long tones with tonal control through slower middle sections
- Balancing ensemble blend while maintaining individual line clarity
- Interpreting dynamic and textural contrasts across distinct musical sections
- Building stamina through extended sections with driving rhythmic figures