Rocky River Counterpoint (2021)
Instrumentation: concert band
Grade Level: 2.5 (Medium Easy)
Duration: 4 minutes
The music of Rocky River Counterpoint is based on three distinct musical ideas: a perky melody, a groovy riff, and a snappy march. After each idea is introduced by different sections of the band, they intermingle and reappear with lyrical qualities, eventually reaching a slow, expressive middle section. With a bang from the percussion and low brass, the music zooms back up to speed towards an exciting, dramatic close. With a vivid musical vocabulary, Rocky River Counterpoint makes contrapuntal techniques (imitation, cannon) and non-standard harmonic progressions (octatonic, whole tone) accessible for developing bands. Rocky River Counterpoint was commissioned by the Lutheran High School West concert band and their director Joseph Tolonen in Rocky River, Ohio.