Cover art by Scarlet Bourland
Windswept (Band)
Windswept is a reflection on personal challenges, shaped by a sense of struggle, peace, and lingering bittersweetness. The title suggests a duality: to be “windswept” can mean drifting freely and gently, or being driven forcefully through sudden gusts.
This tension lies at the heart of the march. Traditional march elements, bold, militaristic, and raucous, are set against moments of lyricism that are freer, more reflective, and tinged with melancholy. Through this contrast, Windswept explores the shifting balance between turbulence and calm, capturing both the weight of adversity and the quiet resilience that follows.
Originally written for clarinet choir, Windswept has been transcribed for the symphonic band medium, where the march tradition is most firmly rooted. More than a traditional march, the piece is part of an effort to present the genre as a nuanced and expressive art form. The orchestration is carefully crafted, treating each voice as an integral part of a fully realized musical texture. Cross-cues are provided to support ensembles with limited instrumentation, as well as for outdoor performances where reinforcement may be beneficial.
Additional Information
Instrumentation
1 – Piccolo
8 – Flute (div. a2)
4 – Oboe
4 – Bassoon
1 – Contrabassoon (opt.)
1 – E♭ Clarinet
4 – B♭ Clarinet 1
4 – B♭ Clarinet 2
4 – B♭ Clarinet 3
4 – E♭ Alto Clarinet
4 – B♭ Bass Clarinet
2 – E♭ Contra-alto Clarinet
2 – B♭ Contrabass Clarinet
1 – E♭ Octocontra-alto Clarinet (opt.)
2 – B♭ Soprano Saxophone
2 – E♭ Alto Saxophone 1
2 – E♭ Alto Saxophone 2
2 – B♭ Tenor Saxophone
2 – E♭ Baritone Saxophone
1 – B♭ Bass Saxophone (opt.)
1 – E♭ Cornet (opt.)
2 – B♭ Cornet 1
2 – B♭ Cornet 2
2 – B♭ Trumpet 1
2 – B♭ Trumpet 2
2 – B♭ Trumpet 3
1 – B♭ Flugelhorn (opt.)
2 – F Horn 1
2 – F Horn 2
2 – F Horn 3
2 – F Horn 4
2 – Trombone 1
2 – Trombone 2
1 – Bass Trombone
2 – Euphonium
2 – Tuba 1 (Bass)
2 – Tuba 2 (Contrabass)
1 – Snare Drum
1 – Bass Drum
1 – Crash Cymbals
1 – Ratchet (opt.)
Additional Parts:
1 – E♭ Baritone Saxophone 2 (Bass Saxophone substitute)
1 – E♭ Contrabass Sarrusophone (Contrabassoon substitute)
1 – B♭ Piccolo Trumpet (E♭ Cornet substitute)
1 – Euphonium (TC)
