Nathan Hale Trilogy Notes

Here are some areas in our CPA music that we can work on to improve our performance! Mark sections that apply to you.
Nathan Hale Movement 1
  • Snares - steady tempo on fp 16ths (m2,4,9-11)
  • Timpani - single stroke rolls (dim. @ 9-11)
  • Winds- fp long notes (off on 1 of m.9)
  • Trumpet Melody @ 12 “marcato” (no breath @ 13) Play w/  Fl., Ob., Clar. 1 + snare, susp. cym. & timpani. Write “big breath” before measure 12!!!
  • Low Brass/Horn/Tn. Sax “marcato” melody @ 28
    • All other parts are secondary (Play softer)
  • Marcato eights are staccato (light, detached/ separate; can’t be connected; can’t touch)
  • All Low Winds @ 32-33 - Half Note goes all the way to “1” of the next measure.
  • Flute/Clar. High Notes - Good in-TONE-ation Foremost; play softer
Nathan Hale Movement 2​
  • First Note - Trumpets with Mutes (practice entrance; breathe together, play together)
  • ALL WINDS: show mastery of legato tonguing (“dah” instead of “tah”) and phrasing (no huge gaps in the sound; quick, BIG breaths) FILL UP everytime you can (WHEN?)
  • Phrase Shaping - Rise and Fall with the contour of the line/melody
  • Dim. @ 22; Listen for Trumpets on 22 and Clarinets @23 (both cresc.)
  • Transitions : YOU HAVE TO LOOK UP AT THESE; (Circle them)
    • Poco Rall. at 27 into Meno Mosso @ 28
    • Solos ENTRANCES @ 28 (pickups for alto sx.; flute/cl.; tpt & Horn
    • Rallentando @ 32-33 into Grandioso (Horn/alto sx. counter melody)
    • Dim al fine @ 42 (bring out quarters for Clar. 2,3/Alto&Tenor/Horn)
    • ​Rallentando at the end (watch and TUNE last note!)
​Nathan Hale Movement 3​
  • ALL WINDS: demonstrate the difference between Marcato and Legato
    • Marcato eighths are light and detached/separated
    • Marcato quarters are accented
    • Legato - use “dah” instead of “tah”
  • Legato Melody @ 11 to 19  
    • stagger breathe; connect ALL ends of measures
  • Legato Melody @ 26 to 36
    • more of harmony parts (Clarinet 2,3/Alto Sax 2/ Tenor Sax 2)
    • dynamic swells @28-29
    • 4-measure cresc. at 32 - 35
  • Marcato Melody (Beginning to 8; 19-24; 36-41; 42-50)
  • “1, 2 and, 3 and, 4”- Beat 4 CANNOT be short, accented but not short
  • Percussion- pay attention to all dynamics
    • dim. @ 9,10 to piano @ 11(listen for melody);
    • mallet selection for timpani and bells
    • tambourine- lean to beat 3 on the constant eight notes