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"Stevie Wonder Medley"
| GENERAL INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Title | Stevie Wonder Medley |
| Composer | S. Wonder (arr: F.G.J. Absil) |
| Instrum. | Concert Band |
| Date | January 2003 (manuscript: 1984) |
| Duration | 12'30 |
| Style | Various styles (medley, consisting of swing, latin, rock and ballad sections) |
| Key | Various Keys |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Measures | 298 |
| Tempo | Various tempi |
| Grade | 3 |
FULL INSTRUMENTATION
- Piccolo, Flute 1-2, Oboe 1-2, Bassoon 1-2, Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet 1-2-3, Bass Clarinet
- Alto Saxophone 1-2, Tenor Saxophone 1-2, Baritone Saxophone
- French Horn 1-2-3-4, Trumpet 1-2-3-4, Trombone 1-2-3-4, Baritone 1-2, Tuba
- Jazz/Rock Guitar, Piano/Keyboard, DoubleBass/Bass Guitar, Drums
- Timpani, Percussion (2-3 players: bass drum, bar chimes, congas, cowbell, cymbal, guiro, maracas, tambourine, triangle), Mallets (glockenspiel, marimba, vibraphone, xylophone).
NOTES FOR THE PERFORMER
This Stevie Wonder medley for concert band consists of the following titles:
- Maestoso opening (mm. 1-18) based on the theme of You are the sunshine of my life,
- You are the sunshine of my life (bossa nova - latin, mm. 19-87, 2'40),
- Isn't she lovely (shuffle, mm. 88-163, 2'40),
- All in love is fair (ballad, mm. 164-193, 1'55),
- Don't you worry 'bout a thing (latin - rock, mm. 194-253, 1'55),
- Sir Duke (rock, mm. 254-289)
- and concluding with a maestoso coda.
The original manuscript from 1984 for limited concert band instrumentation was thoroughly re-arranged in 2003 for full concert band with numerous new backgrounds, counter-melodies, new instrumentations and transitions.
The medley is of medium grade complexity and can be played even by an incomplete band. There are non-essential parts for bassoons, bass trombone and oboe 2. The rhythm section must contain a bass player, preferrably playing both string bass and bass guitar, and guitar. The keyboard provides additional (non-essential) support.
Essential percussion parts have been provided for two players. However, feel free to add extra percussion parts ad lib, particularly in the latin and rock sections of this medley.
Concert performance
This medley has been performed in 2008 and 2009 by the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy, both in the concert hall and in open air concerts (e.g., navy open house event, conductors: Dik Roelofsen, Harmen Cnossen).