Benjamin Taylor Music The Excitement of Fear- Taylor - Concert Band - Gr. 3.5

Composer: Benjamin Dean Taylor
Format: Score and Parts
Instrumentation: Concert Band and Electronic Audio Track
Level: 3.5

The Excitement of Fear, band and flexible audio track, inspired by the adrenaline rush we get from activities that scare us like cliff jumping, rollercoasters, and horror movies.

Why is it that we enjoy some things that scare us? Roller coasters, horror movies, bungee jumping, driving really fast - all of these activities are fun because there is an element of fear. It turns out that fear and excitement are actually the same thing. Our bodies react to both of these emotions in an identical manner; sweaty palms, increased heart rate, dilated pupils, etc. So where is the line between finding an activity exciting or terrifying? This composition explores the intersection of fear and excitement by exploring unusual sounds, abrupt harmonic and dynamic changes, and juxtaposing moments of haunting anticipation with moments of thrilling adrenaline. Many of the melodic ideas are based around the sequence of pitches; F, E, A, Eb, which is "fear" translated into melodic pitches.
Duration: 5:30