Camouflage, for wind ensemble

Instrumentation: wind ensemble

piccolo, flute 1-2, oboe 1-2, english horn, bassoon 1-2, contrabassoon, Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet 1-3, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, horn 1-4, trumpet 1-3, trombone 1-3, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, double bass, harp, piano, timpani, percussion 1-4

Year Composed: 2020

Duration: 4’30”

---

Program Notes:

In Spring 2020, I was given a task for my final orchestration project to compose or arrange a work for wind band. After attempting to arrange something, assuming it was the easier task, I went on to compose an entirely new work. The work Camouflage is based on Herbie Hancock’s jazz fusion song “Chameleon.” The introduction clearly states the famous bass line of the song before going into thematic and motivic development throughout the rest of the piece. Each motive is derived in some way from the song, including to slow middle section, in essence “camouflaging” the source material to form an entirely new piece. While at times the themes and motives from “Chameleon” can be clearly heard, much of them are more subtle.