Manhattan Beach Music Enchanted Island - Rouse - Concert Band - Gr. 1

Composer: Steve Rouse
Format: Score and Parts
Instrumentation: Concert Band
Level: 1

When you hear the music of Enchanted Island, it sounds like a place you might want to visit. Strange. Mysterious. Something is happening on Enchanted Island...

There are clues in the music -- a slow procession, a soulful melody in the trumpets, the clamour of a ceremonial tam-tam ... a sense of darkness, of respect, of an important moment. On Enchanted Island, clouds cover the sky, a new light is born.

Modern techniques highlighted in this piece give it a mature sound and a vastly more interesting soundscape than is usual for this level. Beginning students, introduced to these concepts, will learn that making music is more than just playing the right notes for the correct amount of time and at the proper dynamic level. They will enjoy this piece because it is substantial and extremely musical, but it never places unrealistic expectations on their developing abilities.