March "Sky Blue Dream" (マーチ・スカイブルー・ドリーム Māchi Sukaiburū Dorīmu) is a wind ensemble piece that was selected as a required performance for all high school bands competing in the 2016 All-Japan Band Competition. The piece was composed by real world composer Yato Wanabu (矢藤学) .
March "Sky Blue Dream" evokes a sense of boundless aspiration and youth, reflecting the imagery of its title. The piece conveys the harmony of collective dreams soaring high into a limitless blue sky. The lively melodies and vibrant instrumentation embody Yato Wanabu's wish to inspire hope and refresh the spirit, resonating with the joyful energy of summer and the shared ambitions of performers.
The Kitauji High School Concert Band plays the piece along with Liz and the Blue Bird (piece) during Kumiko Oumae's 2nd year (during Sound! Euphonium: The Movie - Our Promise: A Brand New Day), as the chronology started in 2015 (Kumiko's first year).
Scoring[]
The piece opens with a vibrant trumpet fanfare, supported by a backbeat rhythm. Immediately followed by a bright and elegant tune in F major by the clarinets and saxophones. The line builds smoothly by intertwining with the obbligato of horns and euphoniums joining in. To tie the melody together, flutes and trumpets join in to form the closing chords of the section.
The next section then begins with a powerful descending phrase from the trombones. This is propelled by the forward-driving beats of the cymbals and offbeats from the woodwinds. The section cools down with an exchange between the flutes and alto saxophones, accompanied by a light rimming of the snare drums. The energy quickly picks up again with a unison of the treble instrument, growing the flamboyance of the melody. Ending the section, it transitions to B-flat major then a contrasting stylish chord progression by the trumpets.
Under the direction of Cantabile (as if singing), the unison of clarinet and saxophone again spins a melody in the middle register. Accompanied by a sparkling flute and glockenspiel motif, then an obbligato by tenor saxophone and euphonium. Transitioning, the melody becomes brighter with the addition of higher notes, and a muted trumpet accompanies it with a light rhythm. At the end of the phrase, the bass instruments flow in with powerful notes in G. Under the direction of Brillante, the opening fanfare is reproduced in G-flat major and C-flat major and additional layering, creating a more intricate and emotional sound. The tension gradually builds, by weaving in and out diminished and sus4 chords.
Emerging from the tension, the piece returns to the key of B flat major, moving forward at full volume with the spirit of Animato (with vigour) at the forefront. The lively melody, accompanied by arpeggiated obbligato from the trombones and other instruments, is then brought into step by reducing the volume to a mezzo piano. From which it picks up again and develops in an imposing manner.
In the concluding section, all the instruments go silent to a single cymbal strike, and the trumpet soloist rings across the space with a calm yet determined color. At its end, a descending fortissimo scale, horns and saxophone glissandos explode, and the piece closes with the sound of Grandioso.
Instrumentation[]
- Piccolo
- Flute 1, 2
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- E♭ Clarinet
- B♭ Clarinet 1, 2, 3
- E♭ Alto Clarinet
- B♭ Bass Clarinet
- E♭ Alto Saxophone 1, 2
- B♭ Tenor Saxophone
- E♭ Baritone Saxophone
- B♭ Trumpet 1, 2, 3
- F Horn 1, 2
- Trombone 1, 2, 3
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Contrabass
- Snare Drum
- Bass Drum
- Cymbals
- Glockenspiel
- Xylophone
External links[]
| Wind Band Pieces | |
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| Original Soundtracks | |
| Character Songs | |