Sentinel
General Info
Year of Published: 2023
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Difficulty: Elementary
Duration: 00:02:10
Cost: $48.00
Instrumentation
Required for Performance
Player 1: Piccolo Snare Drum
Player 2: Concert Snare Drum
Player 3: Field Drum
Player 4: Concert Bass Drum
Flexible Percussion Ensemble
Player 1: Glockenspiel
Player 2: Vibraphone
Player 3: Chimes
Player 4: Xylophone
Player 5: Marimba
Player 6: Marimba
Player 7: Timpani
Player 8: Crash Cymbals
Player 9: Suspended Cymbal
Player 10: Tam-Tam
Optional Concert Band
Woodwinds: Flute & Oboe & Bassoon & Clarinet 1/2/3 & Bass Clarinet & Alto Saxophone 1/2 & Tenor Saxophone & Baritone Saxophone
Brass: Trumpet 1/2 & French Horn & Trombone & Euphonium & Tuba
Notes to Directors
While each part is optional, they bring a further depth to the overall colors in this sound world. The director may add them in any combination according to availability and discretion. his sound world may be further enhanced with the forces of a full concert band. These parts may not be individually added (similar to the optional percussion parts) but only ever as an entire band.
Program Notes
The Sentinel stands watch at the entrance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Through day and night and rain or shine, they protect the tomb of those that paid the ultimate price for their country. Musically speaking, the piece juxtaposes the celebratory fanfare commonly found in patriotic music. The intense music tells a story of unwavering focus and forward motion, all while paying tribute to these Unknown Soldiers and their forthcoming Sentinels today and into the future.
The instrumentation is widely flexible from a quartet of drums to a full percussion ensemble and beyond to a full concert band. This is not only to provide flexibility to a wide variety of performing ensembles, but it also represents the ever-expanding body of different services, roles, and individuals in the various branches of the military. This piece further pays homage to service bands and musicians across the country.
Works for Percussion by this Composer
Aequilibrium - Percussion Quintet
Concerto for Piano & Percussion Ensemble - Piano & Percussion Octet
Electric Cathedral - Mallet Station & Percussion Quartet
Into the Void - Percussion Quartet & Choir
Sentinel - Percussion 14 & Concert Band
Sonatina for Percussion Ensemble - Percussion 12
Tour de Force - Percussion 12