Music: Star Wars - The Force Awakens


Composer and Salford University lecturer, Dan Price, reviews the latest blockbuster release from Hal Leonard.

For those players eagerly awaiting the latest instalment of the Star Wars franchise to appear on their music stands, the wait is finally over as
Hal Leonard releases Symphonic Suite from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

This latest release has been
expertly transcribed for brass band by Stephen Bulla who uses The Jedi Steps and Finale sequence from the film as the basis of the arrangement, which incorporates the musical themes: May the Force Be with You and the iconic Main Theme. As we have come to expect from Stephen’s arrangements, there is a huge amount of faithfulness to the original score and the colours, character, changes of mood and abundance of energetic enthusiasm that John Williams generates in his scores are ever present in this adaptation.

For those of you that scour the Internet looking for a brief glimpse of the score or an abridged solo cornet part, don’t let the apparent simplicity of what you may find lead you into a false sense of security. Hal Leonard has classified this arrangement Grade 4 (medium/advanced) and, as you progress through the score, it really does live up to this grading with several areas that would challenge the most accomplished of bands rhythmically and texturally. Individual parts are written well and there are no unpleasant surprises for those sitting on second and third seats, although this is very much an ensemble piece, and confidence and clarity from all parts will be needed to ‘pull it off.’

There are plenty of opportunities for your soloists to shine with both fully-fledged solos and cameos featured for soprano cornet, solo cornet, flugel horn, repiano cornet, solo horn, baritone and euphonium. Both the cornet and trombone ranks are kept busy throughout, as you would expect, but the middle of the band is kept just as busy with horns and baritones playing intricate lines, often in unison, which not only gives richness to the arrangement, but also a sense of practicality.

Percussion is written for three players and although you can perform this arrangement with less, it is an integral element of the score. Tuned percussion is in abundance with parts for glockenspiel, xylophone and two mallet-work for both vibraphone and marimba (the marimba part could be performed on xylophone).

The score has the added benefit of having two endings with anticipation that bands will use this as a concert finale. A large, loud and grandioso conclusion is included as an alternative to the more reflective ending of Williams’s original.

This is a well-written transcription that offers bands either a challenge for rehearsal purposes, or an impressive finale to show off what they can really do!

Excerpts and suites arranged for wind band, flex band and brass band at different levels are available from: www.bandmusicshop.com

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