This is an idea I had for a composition while brainstorming marching band show ideas. If it were a marching band show the theme would center around everyone having something to offer. I haven't worked out all the kinks yet so bear with me on this.
The premise is a series of small pieces or movements that are all part of a larger piece. This could be achieved several different ways that I have thought of so far. First, each mini piece is written for a solo or small ensemble. Each "bit" stands alone and has a varied tempo and/or style from the other "bits". I think ideally there would be six "bits" and then a culmination of them all together to make seven pieces all together. The final composite would include styles and tempos from all the "bits" and would be easily recognizable as a combination of all that came before. Because of how many "bits" there would be the duration of each would have to be limited, I would guess two minutes to be the upper limit. Each would vary in length in hopes that all six "bits" together would be no more than nine minutes. then the final composite would also be about nine minutes , eliciting a sense of balance. This would work very well in a prism concert setting as the smaller groups could memorize their parts and then perform them from any spot in an auditorium ending with the entire ensemble onstage for the composite.
Another possible approach would be to segment the band into three groups; woodwinds, percussion, and brass. Each group would then have it's own "bit" that would be no more than three minutes, to follow the same time limits as above. Again each "bit" would be unique and stand alone in style and tempo, but would make itself evident in the composite. During each of the "bits" the unique qualities of each family would be showcased.
*more to come as I think of it*
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So after I wrote this I watched Wanted and, as I am wont to do when I hear good music in a movie, I went and looked up the music and composer. Now I am familiar with Danny Elfman, but I got to reading the updates on him and saw he had a piece out called Serenada Schizophrana. When I read the break down on the piece, it almost scared me. It isn't the exact same concept as here, but it is eerily similar. Just know that I was not aware of his piece at the time I wrote this.
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