Lions. Elephants. The Rain Forest. The Lost City. This is a great original show for a medium to large band with a strong, experienced horn line. Here's a unique sound, strong contrasts, dramatic possibilities, and LOTS of crowd appeal.

1 - The Lost City Opener - 2 min. 30 sec.

This has a unique sound! Here I used open fifths, modal harmonies, and pounding jungle drums to create a primitive and compelling opener. You'll need strong mellophones.

2 - Elephant Ears Feature Tuba Solo - 1 min. 50 sec.

This is an absolutely great GE feature. We did this stunt playing Baby Elephant Walk and got standing ovations at contest; it takes a lot to get that sort of response from your competitors' parents! We also got the highest praise I've ever heard from a judge - "Next year I'm going to do this with my band."

For maximum effect, you'll need to turn your sousaphone soloist into an elephant. This is done through the magic of Velcro, and it's easy, fast, and cheap! On the downbeat, the soloist turns away from the crowd and a guard member moves in on either side. While each guard member attaches a huge pink ear and a big cartoony eye, the soloist puts on an 8" plastic dryer hose, also pink, to form the trunk. Four bars later the soloist turns back, as an elephant! We did this all season without a slipup.

Here's where I toot my own horn, literally. The tuba solo on the demo MP3 is synthesized, but the "elephant wails" are recordings of an actual tuba - me. Just put a trombone or trumpet mouthpiece into the tuba mouthpiece (leave the tuba mouthpiece in the horn.) Push down all the valves and wail away.

3 - Parallel Lions Trumpet Duet - 2 min.

This Latin-flavored feature number begins with a full-band introduction and statement of the theme, which slightly resembles some other song about lions. This is followed by a percussion section; then the duet begins. This sounds flashy, but any decent first trumpet player can cut it. The runs, for instance, are Bb and Eb scales, and most of the rest is just first valve and open. When the full band comes back in, it can't help but sound full and dramatic, not to mention fresh after resting half a song!

4 - The Rain Forest Opener - 2 min.

Here's another piece with a unique sound. Use rain sticks or a recording; mike your best flute ( or clarinet ) and give them a solo. There's wonderful material for phrase shaping, both by the woodwinds and full band. A short reprise of the Lost City opening theme ties the show together and provides an energetic ending.

Demo Recording

Minor Modifications

Complete Rewrite

About the recording:

JUNGLE DRUMS - For this show, you'll need to add a set of circa-1973 tri-toms to your pit... on a stand, don't try to march with them! That George of the Jungle sound is perfect to convey the primitive power of the opener and reprise. Talk to directors of long-established band programs; they'll have three sets in storage and would love to loan you one, probably on the condition you never, ever bring it back!

Grade 3 1/2 - Medium Hard

Instrumentation
Flute
Clarinets 1 & 2
Alto Sax 1 & 2
Trumpet 1 & 2
Mellophone (Tenor Sax)
Low Brass 1 & 2
Tuba

I will provide parts for
any instrumentation.

Featured solos:
Flute
Trumpet duet
Tuba
WW & Percussion

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COPYRIGHT

This consists of four original compositions. I hold all rights to this music.