Griffin's Grand Entry

Composed for my friend Pete Griffin when he achieved his dream on becoming a band director at the University of Ililnois. A fellow euphonium player, we start the tribute with lyrical countermelody for euphonium that appears in the first strain, as well as possibly the only bass drum solo ever written. The second strain features a full low brass melody line played en masse, countered by a high wind obligato. The trio is notable for the simple melody and the woodblock, which presages the piccolo counter melody of the final strain. After a rousing break strain, the theme returns with not one, but two counter melodies; the first for the piccolo (joined on the second go around with all the flutes) and the second, to the trombones. All of this combines to provide a rich, textural and festive finale with the mandatory “stinger” at the end.