Sketches of "Vermont State Fair"

I am in the midst of composing a new work for band (and probably an orchestral version, as well) called Vermont State Fair.  I wrote about the inspiration behind the piece back in April here.  This picture shows a few of my "sketches" (that's a fancy way of saying "my notes and ideas"). At this stage, I am trying to come up with a several different motives that I can use and develop throughout the piece.  Because the setting is a noisy and exciting fair (think people, rides, games, and horse racing), I anticipate moving between different melodies, motives, and sections frequently to give the piece a bombastic and fun feeling and give a sense of the exciting atmosphere.  I have about ten motives/ideas/melodies so far and I hope to develop several more.  I have also started planning out the progression of music - what order these things will happen in - and working on some orchestration in Finale.

This is a fun piece to write - a range of different kinds of music, but all fun and exciting.  Stay tuned!

Next Project: "Vermont State Fair" for Band

When I was a kid, my family spent nearly every Labor Day weekend in Rutland, VT, where my grandparents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins lived.  It was the unofficial end of summer; afterwards, we would return to Connecticut and start the new school year.  The highlight of Labor Day weekend in Rutland was always the Vermont State Fair, held just a short drive down the street from my grandparents' house. I have vivid memories of walking around the fairgrounds with my family and most exciting of all, sitting in the grandstand and watching the horse races.  My grandfather loved betting on the horse races, and it was a tradition that was passed down to the whole family.  It was exciting and fun - a true American scene. The fair also included games, rides, animals and all manner of fair food, including the famed french fries at Roxies.

The fair provides the perfect inspiration for a new band piece - a fun overture inspired by the horse racing, games, and atmosphere of the Vermont State Fair.

I am just beginning to sketch out some ideas now - stay tuned!

Image credit: Jack Delano [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons