Sand Dunes
Sand Dunes is a Grade 2 band piece. It depicts the incredible shifting landscape of the Sahara Desert. A repeating tutti rhythm explosively begins the piece. Next, the “A” theme sneaks in the flute and oboe with motives based on the C harmonic minor scale, and the ostinato in the lows drives the song forward. Soon, this builds into the full band. After a small amount of overlapping the “A” theme, the ensemble diminuendos into the “B” theme. Here, the euphonium section (or trombones) have a slow soli in ¾. The soli is accompanied by some soft woodwind chords. Gradually, this builds to the full ensemble portraying the brilliance of the desert. However, this quickly returns to the harsh “A” theme. With several tutti measures and dramatic dynamics, the piece races to an end.