Wind Band

Merry-Go-Round

Grade 3 | 5 Mins

Merry-Go-Round was commissioned in 2001 by the City of Lesquin, France, for their annual band competition, Brass Open. The idea was to have a piece that could be used as a ‘signature tune’ for the competition. It is a mini ‘concerto for band’ which features each section in turn. 

After a fanfare-like introduction, the trumpets are the first to take centre stage, alternating phrases of the main theme. A change of key heralds the saxophones, who play a slightly more legato version of the tune.

The horns and trombones then introduce a second theme against a rhythmic accompaniment before the clarinets take up the main theme again. The next variation is shared between the bass instruments of the band and the percussion section before the whole band takes up the horn/trombone theme against running passages from the upper woodwinds. The opening fanfare returns to bring the piece to a close.