This piece was commissioned for Elden and Wanda Moates of the Fannin County High School Band in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The piece has three sections, all dealing with different aspects of motion. The first, Perpetual Motion, includes the introduction with continually driving and overlapping rhythms. The second section, Locomotion, refers to the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, one of the well-known attractions in the area. The train route consists of a 26-mile round-trip and follows the beautiful Toccoa River. The music portrays the beautiful scenery on this peaceful journey, along with more powerful representations of the awe-inspiring views. As the second section ends, the train is heard leaving offstage before the piece moves into the final section, Commotion, which also includes the coda. A fugue is utilized, and as additional voices enter, the commotion builds, subsides, and builds again before concluding with the opening rhythmic motif and large blocked chords in the brass. Score only: B1283S, Extra Part: B1283P |
