Concert Band

Blue Rock

Grade 3 | 7 Mins

Blue Rock was commissioned by the Stadtharmonie Villingen, from the Black Forest in Germany. This forward-looking concert band had the foresight to set up its own music school and youth band back in 1927 and commissioned this new piece to celebrate the 80thAnniversary of their dual foundation. It was premiered in a concert in Villingen on 1st December 2007.

The request was for a piece of ‘symphonic rock’ and it opens with an expressive ballad, featuring alto saxophone. A faster section follows, based on an insistent drum groove and characterised by strong syncopation and unison lines for the whole band. As this reaches a climax, the ballad returns to close the work triumphally.