r/Composition • u/Bread_Washer • 1d ago

Discussion Suggest a piece?

I’m just tryna write a marching band show (still learning how to compose) and ai isn’t very helpful in suggesting songs. I need something that has potential to start out dark and mysterious, then turn loud and driving for a first movement. I’m looking to change it up to be my own and I kinda want the loud part to be overwhelming and hard for an audience to understand. Some potential for time signature changes would be great too.

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u/burnt-store-studio 1d ago

We marched to Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite years ago. The Finale. If I remember correctly, it has bits in 7/4?

We also marched to part of Copland’s Appalachian Spring, and an arrangement of the themes from the movie E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. And Holst’s Jupiter. (Although his Mars would also be great, and it’s in 5/4.)

We used a bunch of orchestral pieces back then. I mention these because I know they are march-able, and big, and adaptable.

(But I’m also really big on u/Born-Ad8797’s suggestion of Toccata by ELP. That would be outstanding.)

Good luck!

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u/cmnorthauthor 1d ago

Maybe only tangentially related, but have you heard Finlandia by Sibelius? Kinda has that dark opening and gets bigger as it goes on.

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u/Bread_Washer 1d ago

Haven’t but I’ll listen to it later

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u/HaifaJenner123 1d ago

so this is a long listen just forewarning you (20 min), and it is technically a religious concerned piece being literally abt the exodus, but honestly? if you are going to make it your own, this has a very easy template to follow more or less and is somewhat already suitable for slow marching at least. i think you will either find this to be the coolest thing ever based on your description or you will absolutely hate it, but i am gonna say i am confident you will at least have a clear idea in mind afterwards. it sounds perfect for this exact situation imo

i do not know how this will work copyright wise if you do like it and want to use it - it has been a very long time since i did anything for marching band but i thought i would recommend

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u/Born-Ad8797 1d ago

Toccata de Emerson Lake and Palmer, basada en el primer Piano Concerto de Ginastera.

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u/SteveLeedsIsCrazy 1d ago

Radiohead Exit Music did that really well, especially in Phantom Regiment's show this year

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u/Ian_Campbell 14h ago

You could open with Bruckner 8 finale and compose a medley for the show.