Magical Mystical Rain Forest, The

Score, parts, track (PDF & mp3) ?

$30

Jerry Young
Professor of Tuba, University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire

The Magical, Mystical Rain Forest is a special work for euphonium/tuba ensemble and electronic accompaniment. This work appeals to all audiences, as well as to all euphoniumists and tubists! It is a great deal of fun to play and is very approachable by an accomplished high school group. This would be a wonderful work to feature the low brass section at a high school spring band concert and would work equally well as something a little different on a university euphonium/tuba ensemble concert. I featured this work when I conducted the International High School All-Star Euphonium/Tuba Ensemble at Northwestern University in 1995. It was a favorite piece for the students in the group, who hailed from Japan, the U.S., Scandinavia, and Europe

Review from TUBA Journal

Summer 1992
by Dr. Mark Nelson

Unlike the complex rhythmic demands of Ayers' The Dancing King, this piece is easily accessable by college and advanced high school ensembles. The 4/4 time signature and quarter note=126 tempo essentailly remain constant. The score and parts are immaculate with large, easy-to-read notes, informative program notes, about the piece and how to operate the tape as well as a biography of the composer.

The accompaniment is interesting with a variety of very convincing percussive and mallet instument effects. Overall ranges for the ensemble are rather conservative ranging from the first euphonium high note of Bb above middle C to EE, the lowest note of the tuba part.

For the college and professional ensembles, this piece is rather light although it makes for a good diversion from the customary fare, and at 5.5 minutes, a perfect length for resting one's "chops." I like the blend of sounds Ayers achieves with the balance of acoustical and electronic mediums and I like the rhythmic drive of the accompaniment.

© 1992 TUBA Journal, used by permission