Flight of the Ravens – Full Score

Description

Complete with sound effects made by use of umbrellas, “Flight of the Ravens” will leave your audience quietly contemplative. A piano soloist is paired beautifully with the ensemble for a haunting introduction and closes out this stunning work for band by Carol Brittin Chambers.

Program Notes

“Flight of the Ravens” was commissioned by the Texas Lutheran University School of Music in 2023, dedicated with love and gratitude to Professor Beth Bronk for her work as Director of Bands at TLU, her thoughtful mentorship of students, and her friendship.

Quite a lot of mythology exists surrounding the raven, arguably one of the most intelligent birds. The raven is often central to the mythology of the Pacific Northwest Coast Native Americans, which depicts the bird as both creator and trickster.

In “Flight of the Ravens,” the opening Piano and Chimes are meant to evoke feelings of beauty, majesty, and respect (creator). The first main theme and energetic tempo (beginning at M.12, then M.20), pays tribute to the Pacific Northwest Coast region in general. The second theme (M.31), is what I refer to as the “Soaring Theme.” Setting this theme in 3/4 meter was intentional, evoking the feelings of flight and soaring high above the land.

The quote heard in the Xylophone several times (M.41, M.99, M.127), is playful and quirky, portraying some of the trickster idea. Measures 62-89 definitely represent the trickster idea even more, with sounds in the upper WW’s also emulating raven calls. The Clarinets contribute another trickster effect in measures 100 and 102.

At the very end, you’ll see a text note in the Timpani and Percussion 1 part suggesting the use of large black umbrellas or jackets. These ideas are meant to imitate the look and sound of raven wings, starting slowly, gradually getting faster, then slowing again. Throughout my life, I have seen and heard ravens fly overhead many times, especially when spending time in the mountains, and the giant wingspan and loud “whoosh-whoosh” are imprinted in my mind.

Finally, the main reason for writing about ravens in order to honor Professor Beth Bronk pertains to a specific story at TLU. One year, a family of ravens moved into the courtyard outside the TLU School of Music. They stayed around for a very long time, and faculty and students would recount various encounters, some of which involved the ravens scattering their branches and twigs or tapping on the windows late at night. While it is unknown if these particular birds will keep coming back year after year, they have made a lasting impact in the hearts and minds of the people who knew them.