Wind Chimes: Score

Low brass players rarely get this kind of spotlight in the Grade 3 repertoire, and Kinyon writes their role with genuine musicality rather than padding. The four-note motif layered over contemporary jazz harmonies gives the entire band something fresh to latch onto, and the emphasis on secure, articulate bell tones pushes students toward technical precision without overwhelming them.

A contemporary take on swing and jazz sensibility that feels modern but never alienating. The repeating four-note motif gives the piece momentum and cohesion, while the jazz harmonies add color and sophistication that elevates it beyond typical Grade 3 fare.

Directors working with intermediate concert bands who want to feature their low brass section without abandoning musical substance. Student musicians ready to navigate contemporary harmonic language and execute rhythmically confident articulation patterns.

• Shape the low brass attacks with deliberate clarity; these bell tones need definition, so balance dynamic control with the punch the part demands.
• Let the four-note motif anchor the ensemble's sense of pulse. Once it settles in the players' ears, the contemporary harmonies will land with more impact.
• Balance the upper voices carefully so the low brass can sit forward without overpowering the rest of the band; the texture depends on layering, not volume.

Program this as a mid-concert selection where it bridges traditional concert music and more adventurous repertoire, or place it strategically to showcase ensemble growth in articulation and harmonic awareness. It works especially well in spring concerts where audiences expect something polished but contemporary.

• Secure articulation of accented, punchy melodic figures
• Bell tone production and control on low brass instruments
• Reading and performing contemporary jazz harmonies
• Maintaining rhythmic clarity within a repeated motivic structure
• Balance and blend across register when featuring low brass