Murmurations is a short piece for band that evokes the evening flock formations of European Starlings. The starlings come together in the thousands to make fantastic flowing shapes in the sky before they nest for the night. These formations are called “murmurations,” and the starlings are able to create them by maintaining a certain distance between each individual, and then simply following the leaders of the flock.

With that flock sensibility in mind, this piece asks members of the band to be leaders and followers, with many phrases structured by cumulative processes and imitative counterpoint.

Approximate duration: 2’ 40”

Commissioned by the Lincoln College Preparatory Academy Advanced Band and director Jason Bata as part of the Music for Use Project.

Murmurations was completed in February 2015, in Kansas City, KS, and revised for full concert band in January 2016 in Beaverton, OR.

Download includes .pdf files of the following parts:

• Full Score (11x17)
• Full Score (10x13)
• Full Score (8.5x11)
• Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet 1
• Clarinet 2
• Bass Clarinet
• Bassoon
• Alto Saxophone
• Tenor Saxophone
• Baritone Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Horn
• Trombone/Euphonium
• Tuba
• Percussion 1 (Wind Chimes, Toms, Snare Drum)
• Percussion 2 (Triangle, Bass Drum)
• Percussion 3 (Marimba, Suspended Cymbal)

All individual parts are formatted for 8.5x11 paper. If you need alternate sizes for printing, please get in touch.