Adapting and performing big band repertoire with a violist: A discussion and practical demonstration

Pellant, Lauren

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/111700 Copy

Description

Title

Adapting and performing big band repertoire with a violist: A discussion and practical demonstration

Author(s)

Pellant, Lauren

Issue Date

2021

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

McNeill, Charles

Committee Member(s)

• Carrillo, Teofilo
• Haken, Rudolf
• Tharp, Reynold

Department of Study

School of Music

Discipline

Music

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

A.Mus.D. (doctoral)

Keyword(s)

• viola
• jazz
• big band
• orchestration
• instrumentation
• school ensembles
• string instruments
• saxophone

Language

en

Abstract

This project presents strategies for adapting and performing repertoire written for jazz big band (i.e. five saxophones, four trombones, four trumpets, guitar, piano, bass, and drum set) to include the viola, focusing on music specifically written for big bands affiliated with school music programs at the middle school, high school, and/or college level. Further discussion of the scope, underlying rationale, and common terminology used in this project can be found in the introduction, alongside explanations regarding repertoire selection, performance setup, and musical notation. The first half of this paper focuses on adapting parts from an orchestration perspective. Generalized orchestration options are illustrated using musical excerpts from Blues & More by Jeff Jarvis and Blues You Can Use by David Springfield. More specialized applications of orchestration methods are then modeled through the creation of a complete viola part for Ascending by Fred Sturm. The second half of the paper focuses on adaptation and execution from a performance perspective, covering additional concepts such as articulation, bowings, and performance practice in the context of creating and performing complete example viola parts for three additional pre-existing big band charts: Gears by Les Sabina, Bonehead by Lennie Niehaus, and Down Basie Street by Dave Wolpe.

Type of Resource

• text
• still image

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/111700

Copyright and License Information

© Lauren Pellant, 2021

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