Snakes ! Thomas C. Duffy

SWO-316
Snakes! (1990) 4:00
[Wind Band - pc, 223 bcl 2/2atb sx/222 euph 1/ 5 perc]
Commissioned by the Adams Middle School Band, Barbara Tedeschi, Director
Level: Middle School/ High School

Snakes! was written for the Adams Middle School in Guilford, CT, Barbara Tedeschi, Director. It was premiered by the Yale Concert Band in December of 1989, and its first performance by a young ensemble was by Nassau All-County Junior High School Honor Band in January of 1990. Although designed to introduce younger ensembles to various types of aleatoric music, it is a viable performance selection for high school and/or more experienced bands.

Snakes! is a short piece of program music which explores different sounds which one might associate with different snakes. Big snakes, little snakes, cute snakes, writhing piles of snakes, swaying cobras, and dangerous snakes are all represented throughout. After an introduction which hints of hissing and the dangerous melodies resembles the tune with which the Indian snakecharmer entices the swaying cobra from the wicker basket. The almost comical timpani line is suggestive of teh slow-moving boa constrictor. rapid bursts of chromatic runs bring to mind coiled snakes which strke without warning. The piece ends with a section of writhing tendrils of sounds (the snake pit) and a brief recapitulation to the catchy melody and rhythm of the snakecharmer's cobra.