THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC
(2017/2020)
PUBLISHER: TUX People’s Music, LLC | ca. 4 minutes | GRADE 3.5/MEDIUM
© 2023 TUX People’s Music, LLC
INSTRUMENTATION
5-PART ADAPTABLE ENSEMBLE
ADDITIONAL PARTS (optional): Acoustic Guitar, Keyboard Synthesizer
PERCUSSION LIST
Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Marimba, Chimes (optional), Vibraslap, Snare Drum, Bass Drum,
Triangle, Crash Cymbals, Medium and Large Suspended Cymbals, Hi-Hat, 2 Tom-Toms
ORIGINAL VERSION DETAILS
SECOND PRIZE WINNER OF THE 2018 COLUMBIA SUMMER WINDS OUTDOOR COMPOSITION CONTEST
WORLD PREMIERE: April 26, 2017 | Michigan State University Campus Band (Connor Fetting, conductor) | Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, MSU, East Lansing, Michigan
ADDITIONAL VERSIONS AVAILABLE
SCORE FOLLOWER
One of Michigan's most popular tourist attractions can be found at the beautiful, luxurious area of Mackinac Island. Attracting thousands of people every summer, the natural wonders of this place and its hidden spectacles are a sight to behold, offering something new to everyone who travels there. The Straits of Mackinac is such a musical venture, evoking the journey to the island via ferry with the rich and vibrant colors of the concert band as its palette.
The first theme for this trip conjures up a sweeping palette of colors and sounds full of spirit, adventure, and wistfulness. Matched by a second theme characterized with even more yearning, the excitement and energy begins to grow as the ferry draws nearer to the island. Harmonic tension is matched with rhythmic excitement and layered textures of melodic fragments, contrapuntal statements, and percussive action. All of this builds to an exciting conclusion and the promise of a great adventure at Mackinac when the ferry finally arrives to its stop.
My sincerest thanks to Connor Fetting and the MSU Campus Band for giving the original version of this work a fantastic premiere performance.