An energetic six-minute showpiece for Brass Quintet
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| Timothy Wilson and Christian Lindberg |
On 28th April 2011, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama hosted the second Stainer & Bell Award for Brass Composition, open to all students at the RWCMD. Entrants had to submit a work of five to seven minutes for brass quintet, and seven works were shortlisted for a recital final, at which the compositions were performed by students from the college. The first prize of £250 went to composition student Timothy Wilson for his work entitled Avidity.
Avidity is characterised by driving rhythms and angular melodies that sweep the listener through many twists and turns into two brief choral sections, before a return of the eager opening material heralds a downhill sprint to a crashing finale.
Individually, players need to be working to at least Grade 7 level to get the most of the piece. Some of the slide work in the trombone part is particularly demanding, especially for anyone attempting it without the aid of an F valve.
Overall this is a well-crafted composition that would be accessible to a good sixth form group, given the right coaching and support. An energetic six-minute showpiece that would make an excellent concert opener.*
You can find the piece in our online store here.
*Laura Tanner Music Teacher Magazine
