Symphonic overture for band

The form of the Symphonic Overture for Band is ABACD-coda. It is scored for full symphonic band, including string bass, piano, and celesta. It is approximately twenty minutes in duration. The celesta, in the fourth measure of section A, introduces a germinal motive. It consists of a minor second followed by a minor third. Nearly all of the melodic material to be found throughout the piece is derived from the intervals of this motive. At rehearsal 1 the A theme is presented. Melodically it is an outgrowth of the germinal motive, but also within it, at the fourth bar before rehearsal 2, are the intervals of a perfect fourth and a tritone. These intervals, in varying combinations and layerings, form the substance of much of the harmonic material of the composition. Sections B, C, and D each have their own respective themes or motives which, despite their structural dependence on Section A, are individual in character. The coda (rehearsal 49 ) functions as a recapitulation of all these ideas, although the context in which they are repeated is varied. They are developed to become counterpoints and/or accompaniments to one another so that theme A is heard with theme C, theme B with theme D, two separate motives from theme C with theme B, and so on.