As an ethnic Armenian it is such an honor and joy to hear Armenian popular themes that every Armenian must have heard at least once in his/her life all in a melange/medley, so to speak, of a classical orchestral piece that carries the ethnic to the international. One cannot miss Komitas's melodies among other particulars. The piece is vivid and lively and I guess that makes it a favorite of brass bands or wind ensembles... Thanks A. Reed. 🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲
We played this in high school. As a piccolo player, I was delighted to find a piece that allowed such expression and technical challenge. My youngest son is now a trumpet player, and viewed this video yesterday. "Mom, now I know why you loved being a musician."
I was honored to play this under the direction of Dr. Reed at the 1975 Mid-West Band and orchestra clinic with the VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band. It was a thrill.
I played this for my county's All-County Band, and our conductor also played this under Dr. Reed. We didn't take the second half (measure 224, where the 2/4 began) as fast as this orchestra, but the entire song sounded amazing, even from the percussion section, where I was playing.
I've played that part before, a long looooong time ago. It's a *lot* of fun! My favorite sections are the "Christmas at the Mall" section that immediately follows the opening of the piece; the oboe has a very short exposed solo I actually still could play from memory (notes: Bb - D - CD, Bb, Bb, F Bb - D CD, Bb, Bb) that's scored to just let the oboe sing all exposed; another favorite part of mine was in the 5/8 section... and of course all those madcap runs at the very end of the piece. This has to be the most technically accurate performance of this piece I've ever heard, and I understand Tokyo Kosei is famed for their performance of this particular piece. Now I know why!
This is one of the classic pieces TKWO is famous for. I remember when i first heard their recording under Alfred Reed, and remember playing the piece in high school and realising how difficult it was to achieve the standard set by TKWO's recording. A few years later, i had the pleasure of having TKWO come to my country for a festival called WASBE, it was so exciting to hear them play this live. So technically perfect, and they sound beautiful as always. And now, i chanced upon this video recording on youtube. The standard and technical brilliance is still there. It just brings back so many memories and makes me so happy. TKWO will always be the top wind orchestra in my book!
It’s been years since I’ve played this piece my sophomore year in high school, and it’s still absolutely one of my all time favorites. I played flute at the time.
EXCEPTIONAL performance and interpretation! Having studied and played this wonderful piece under the baton of its commissioner, Harry Begian, the conductor did a masterful job re-creating this marvelous composition! BRAVO!!
This is my favorite song I ever played. It reminds me of a time where I was the youngest in my section, first time on a piece this hard. And I got to be a first clarinet, which on this piece is awesome. I was one of few chosen to march in my grade in marching band that year and I was one of two sophomores in the band that played this piece. I was in a stable, happy relationship for the first time. It was all new territory, and I loved every minute of it. I really should have practiced the runs more, because I could barely play them at the time! I know if I put in more work I could have done it. Such happy times :')
Working with this smaller wind orchestras (transparancy) and the work effort, moral, hunger to learn and discipline of this musicians is beyond words (don't laugh because of there come of). l highly respect them, it is a privilege to work with such a discplined professional orchestra ! ♫♪
I played this piece in my HS Symphonic Band six years ago as a 3rd clarinet. I remember I was the youngest person in the band, the least experienced, last chair, and being daunted by the presence of thirty-second notes, which I had not seen in music until I received this piece my freshman year. It was a wonderful piece to perform and I hold so many positive memories from that time.
We played this in high school in 1976. I practiced that English Horn solo (at 1:05 ) so many times I still remember it today. My favorite piece of all time in band!
Our college wind ensemble was lucky enough to play this with a guest conductor - Dr. Harry Begian himself. I played second alto sax that year (tho I also played lead on it in high school). The guy was a character, no doubt, but it was pretty great having the man for whom the piece was written tell us exactly how it should be played. And boy, did he tell us 😁 such a great experience and opportunity. And such a fun piece of music.
"The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (東京佼成ウインドオーケストラ Tōkyō Kosei Uindo Ōkesutora?, abbreviated TKWO) is a professional concert band that has long been regarded as one of the world's finest" - Wikipedia
played this number in the mid eighty's. Great composition and what I like it specially: the most virtuose sounding passages aren't difficult at all (at least for Tenor Saxophone). The fingering chosen by the composer makes it sound very difficult while in fact it isn't so.
Ouf I'm supposed to study this wonderful piece of art for the next month... As I'm playing the alto sax for only seven years now that's quite much work for me. But I'll take the challenge! :D
Thank you. Big pleasure to listen. Real harmony. I am happy that Armenian theme is in classical music, extends it beyond of only being folklore. Deepest regards to the orchestra and their work!
This is perfect!!! Loud in the right places. Super crisp in fingering and articulation. When I feel "nostalgic" about a piece I have played, you DELIVER. I had the absolute privilege and pleasure to play this in 1991 at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in the Thursday night ballroom concert. We were under the practice and tutelage of Andrew Perry, Director of the West Genesee Wind Ensemble. Rodney Winther of Ithaca College directed us at Midwest. I was so fortunate to go to West Genesee. Andrew Perry COMMISSIONED R. Gallante's "Cry of the Last Unicorn" for his Mom. She was an amazing woman. I am so fortunate to have been exposed to this level of artistry in high-school.
Absolutely *love* this piece! This and Armenian II! I got to play the latter as a freshman and the former as a senior. Alfred Reed was (and is) one of my favorite composers for wind ensemble.
Beautiful rendering of the original "Dzirani/Tzirani dzar" (Apricot tree), goes to "Gakavig" (Song of the Partridge), and continues to other lovely songs, originally composed by Father Komitas.
Holy hell... Just performed this piece in a high school concert as the first alto today. The solos are just an absolute joy to play. Just this whole piece altogether is quite magical. It takes time to get into it, but once you do, it's like riding on a train of obsession. Truly wonderful.
Hey I’m just about to play this in Wind Ensemble as first alto in a couple days (I’m a junior in high school). It’s been a joy, and you’re right the solos are amazing. Been a long time since you commented this though but it was relatable so I had to pipe in lol
my school’s band was rehearsing the hell outta this piece back in 2019- beginning of 2020 but then ofc covid hit and we never got to fully put everything together. listening to this makes me sad that i graduated w/o even getting to perform. a difficult piece but so so so enjoyable even for me as a contrabass clarinet player lol. i wish i could go back to hs and perform this piece. none of the school stuff, just perform this piece and then i’ll feel some type of closure.
I’ve played principle trumpet on this piece this summer at a music camp and the last part always got everyone in the band super energetic to the point a few members would dance to it during rehearsals
Thre one piece I never got a chance to play. Brings tears to my eyes because this is the piece I was supposed to play but my family moved away. 5 of my bandmates were killed in a car accident the night of the concert
Wow! Pretty fantastic!! We played this in college and those clarinet runs at 9:25 still give me cold sweats! LOL! Such a great piece! This group plays it nearly flawlessly! And they make it look easy!!
Had to play this for my spring concert my freshman year of high school. Still my most favorite piece to date, but we could never get a full run down until the night of the event.
I know how you feel. This was the honor band piece my junior year. I played the bass clarinet part, which ended up being way harder than I thought it would be. I've graduated now and I still have trouble playing some of the runs, but it's still so great
I'm playing this for the Bergen County All-County Band Audition (1st percussion snare drum part), but only the first 186 measures. Even though I'm accustomed to playing in 5/8 and 6/8 on my own time with progressive rock and such, it's a lot more challenging then I expected it to be. Listening to it while playing it is really cool. Looking forward to nailing it, since the entire music piece is really amazing to listen to.
Luna Blackheart Did end up playing this in All-County Band. We didn't take the 5/8 and 6/8 as fast, nor the second half (starting at measure 224, or the 2/4 time). That experience in its own was amazing, and each song was a blast. Can't wait for next year's selection.
Yeah, I can't see anything less than a top-notch high school wind ensemble or possibly region band performing this piece well. We just started rehearsing it in my high school wind ensemble (I'm a senior playing timpani), and I'm hoping that we'll be able to play the 5/8 section and the entire third page without ensemble tears by our first performance of it in late April.
As an ethnic Armenian it is such an honor and joy to hear Armenian popular themes that every Armenian must have heard at least once in his/her life all in a melange/medley, so to speak, of a classical orchestral piece that carries the ethnic to the international. One cannot miss Komitas's melodies among other particulars. The piece is vivid and lively and I guess that makes it a favorite of brass bands or wind ensembles... Thanks A. Reed. 🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲
仲田先生、須川先生、小倉先生、奥村先生、前田先生が一緒に演奏してるなんて
最高な時代だな！
トロンボーンの奏者さんが演奏しながらにこやかにしてらして、楽しんでいる気持ちが伝わってきました。こんな中で演奏できたら気持ちよさそう。
演奏はもちろんのこと、何気に普門館で演奏してるんですね！
あの吹奏楽部の甲子園と言われた、伝説の普門館✨
moyaboy5 K ヒント:立成佼成会
学生時代ここで吹きました。。
別の大会でこの曲で日本一の賞をとれたことも懐かしいです…
ここで演奏したかった元吹奏楽部員の一人です。憧れの聖地でしたが、無くなってしまい残念です。
宮村さんのオーボエの音色が大好きです🎶
We played this in high school. As a piccolo player, I was delighted to find a piece that allowed such expression and technical challenge. My youngest son is now a trumpet player, and viewed this video yesterday. "Mom, now I know why you loved being a musician."
I don't usually comment but listening to this made me realize why I love being a musician.
and why would that be?
今まで聞いたアルメニアンダンスの中で一番秀逸な演奏。
指揮が素晴らしい。
やはり、この黒ステージは普門館なのですね、独特な雰囲気がありますね。
lets talk about the wonderful percussionist who played the tambourine part, her consistency and touch is always my goalll
The best performance of this piece that I’ve heard. Bravo!!
Agreed! Every recording of these people is probably the best one can find anywhere.
I was honored to play this under the direction of Dr. Reed at the 1975 Mid-West Band and orchestra clinic with the VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band. It was a thrill.
I played this for my county's All-County Band, and our conductor also played this under Dr. Reed. We didn't take the second half (measure 224, where the 2/4 began) as fast as this orchestra, but the entire song sounded amazing, even from the percussion section, where I was playing.
You one lucky person! My band director knew Reed and we played a bunch of his stuff, but he was never a big show about it.
Love the oboe guy
テナーの仲田守さんや！！
Lol and I thought I was the only one to watch it for the thumbnail XD
@Finn Kayden Ah yes... thank you Peyton Messiah and Finn Kayden ... very insightful ............
I've played that part before, a long looooong time ago. It's a *lot* of fun! My favorite sections are the "Christmas at the Mall" section that immediately follows the opening of the piece; the oboe has a very short exposed solo I actually still could play from memory (notes: Bb - D - CD, Bb, Bb, F Bb - D CD, Bb, Bb) that's scored to just let the oboe sing all exposed; another favorite part of mine was in the 5/8 section... and of course all those madcap runs at the very end of the piece.
This has to be the most technically accurate performance of this piece I've ever heard, and I understand Tokyo Kosei is famed for their performance of this particular piece. Now I know why!
Lmfaoo in el Camino real ITS ALSO THE OBOE DUDE, both of these songs are so fun hehehe
トランペット綺麗に音出しててすごい
オーボエものすごく上手い...........
とても聞いてて面白いです
リズムが変わる瞬間がとても好きです
私もこれ吹く時やりがいのある曲だなとすごく思ってました
また吹きたいですね...
私もこの曲大好きです！
ホント懐かしい…
押入れで楽器が何年も眠ってます(^^;
トラクターに乗りながらアルメニアンダンスや春の猟犬聴いてます。キャビンの中は爆音OK！☻
@@user-ht1cr5xe4z
うわー春の猟犬てタイトル懐かしい😭何十年かぶりに思い出して興奮してコメントしてしまったw
This is one of the classic pieces TKWO is famous for. I remember when i first heard their recording under Alfred Reed, and remember playing the piece in high school and realising how difficult it was to achieve the standard set by TKWO's recording. A few years later, i had the pleasure of having TKWO come to my country for a festival called WASBE, it was so exciting to hear them play this live.
So technically perfect, and they sound beautiful as always. And now, i chanced upon this video recording on youtube. The standard and technical brilliance is still there. It just brings back so many memories and makes me so happy.
TKWO will always be the top wind orchestra in my book!
foodmore maaskapel wessem
Yoo I’m working on this piece in my high school band!
Here for the oboe
As an armenian i like this performance very much.
須川さん指揮のTKWO聞きに行けてよかった。宮村さんソロのアルメ生で聴けて感動した。サックスソロの田中さんもたまらなかった。
It’s been years since I’ve played this piece my sophomore year in high school, and it’s still absolutely one of my all time favorites. I played flute at the time.
Absolutely fantastic saxophone. Wow
3:48 Sax Solo 1
4:51 Sax Solo 2
5:39 Soli
8:21 Movement V
10:01 Furioso
Thank you from Armenia!! Absolutely perfect performance.
EXCEPTIONAL performance and interpretation! Having studied and played this wonderful piece under the baton of its commissioner, Harry Begian, the conductor did a masterful job re-creating this marvelous composition! BRAVO!!
中学のときコンクールでやりました
私の吹奏楽デビューの曲です
懐かしくて泣いてしまった
本当に名曲ですね
panic 懐かしくて泣きますよね!!
私ももう1回演奏したいです😭😭
English Horn.
One of the most enjoyable pieces to play with it - the beginning solo, i find, is really dramatic and expressive. I love this piece.
なんて豊かで、音楽を奏でることの喜びを感じる演奏…😭
とくに宮村和宏さんのオーボエソロが大好きです！！！
This is my favorite song I ever played. It reminds me of a time where I was the youngest in my section, first time on a piece this hard. And I got to be a first clarinet, which on this piece is awesome. I was one of few chosen to march in my grade in marching band that year and I was one of two sophomores in the band that played this piece. I was in a stable, happy relationship for the first time. It was all new territory, and I loved every minute of it. I really should have practiced the runs more, because I could barely play them at the time! I know if I put in more work I could have done it. Such happy times :')
Music, you get more out of it than you put in & it rewards hard work & exposes laziness.
That’s awesome!! 👏
Brings back a lot of fond memories almost 30 years ago when I played this in a band
me too. we played this AND part II in a single ... thing, without applause in between (I think, I can't actually remember!)
日本の吹奏楽の聖地の普門館そしてAリード生誕100年どちらも吹奏楽になくてはならない存在であり今後も語り継がれるべき伝統といえます。
I played this in High School, and loved it. I watch Eurovision every year, and generally love Armenia. I'd love to visit one day.
宮村さんのオーボエ、小さく見えてちょっとかわいい笑 演奏はとっても伸びやかだけど！
Working with this smaller wind orchestras (transparancy) and the work effort, moral, hunger to learn and discipline of this musicians is beyond words (don't laugh because of there come of). l highly respect them, it is a privilege to work with such a discplined professional orchestra ! ♫♪
ストリングベース4本編成で低音の厚みがよりシンフォニックに。素晴らしい。
オーボエ宮村さんブラボー！
クラのfirst吹きました
中盤のクラソロくそ難しくて指つりそうでした✨
なのに二人でこんなにぴったりあってるなんて。。。
素晴らしき花です( *ﾟAﾟ)
出だしのシンバルがかっこいい（難しい）、エモーショナルな曲、変調が多く難しい曲だったな…モチベーションも上がる本当に良い曲。Part１好きだな。アルフレッドリードは天才だと思う。
I played this piece in my HS Symphonic Band six years ago as a 3rd clarinet. I remember I was the youngest person in the band, the least experienced, last chair, and being daunted by the presence of thirty-second notes, which I had not seen in music until I received this piece my freshman year. It was a wonderful piece to perform and I hold so many positive memories from that time.
吹奏楽ってなんだかいいな。
普段、弦か、オーケストラしか聴かないんだけど、吹く楽器だからなのか、鼓動を感じると言うか、音の層は薄くて洗練はされてない感じなんだけど（やっている方々すみません。）なんだかすごく生命力と息吹を感じる。
感動しました！
We played this in high school in 1976. I practiced that English Horn solo (at 1:05 ) so many times I still remember it today. My favorite piece of all time in band!
Our college wind ensemble was lucky enough to play this with a guest conductor - Dr. Harry Begian himself. I played second alto sax that year (tho I also played lead on it in high school). The guy was a character, no doubt, but it was pretty great having the man for whom the piece was written tell us exactly how it should be played. And boy, did he tell us 😁 such a great experience and opportunity. And such a fun piece of music.
宮村先生の音やばい😂
I love that i can hear a few mistakes when listening with high quality earbuds...reminds me that everyone makes mistakes.
奥山さんすげー
コルネットよく聞こえる
What a joy to watch them perform! They’re all having so much fun, you can tell!
中学の時吹いて以来冗談抜きで毎日聴いてる笑
"The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (東京佼成ウインドオーケストラ Tōkyō Kosei Uindo Ōkesutora?, abbreviated TKWO) is a professional concert band that has long been regarded as one of the world's finest" - Wikipedia
ソロパートがみんな良すぎて泣けるやないか
played this number in the mid eighty's. Great composition and what I like it specially: the most virtuose sounding passages aren't difficult at all (at least for Tenor Saxophone). The fingering chosen by the composer makes it sound very difficult while in fact it isn't so.
freonxkipper i
Ouf I'm supposed to study this wonderful piece of art for the next month... As I'm playing the alto sax for only seven years now that's quite much work for me. But I'll take the challenge! :D
久保さん、西郷さん、須川さんがまだいる頃だ〜！！！！！大好きこの御三家！！！！！
Thank you. Big pleasure to listen. Real harmony. I am happy that Armenian theme is in classical music, extends it beyond of only being folklore. Deepest regards to the orchestra and their work!
This is perfect!!! Loud in the right places. Super crisp in fingering and articulation.
When I feel "nostalgic" about a piece I have played, you DELIVER.
I had the absolute privilege and pleasure to play this in 1991 at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in the Thursday night ballroom concert. We were under the practice and tutelage of Andrew Perry, Director of the West Genesee Wind Ensemble. Rodney Winther of Ithaca College directed us at Midwest.
I was so fortunate to go to West Genesee. Andrew Perry COMMISSIONED R. Gallante's "Cry of the Last Unicorn" for his Mom. She was an amazing woman.
I am so fortunate to have been exposed to this level of artistry in high-school.
Played snare on this at Carnegie Hall with my high school's Wind Ensemble. Favorite piece of all time.
The oboe soloist looks like he just popped out of a Ghibli movie... XD
頭の合わせシンバル一発で別次元。
素晴らしい
田中孝佳 頭の合わせシンバルあんま上手くいってないと思うんだが
田中孝佳 それな！音程があってるからうるさくない。でも、もーすこし響きを残してもよかったかも。。
賛否両論みたいだけど、この音色はなかなか出せないよね。北野先生さすがだわ
I LOVE great conductors.... Magnificent!
Absolutely *love* this piece! This and Armenian II! I got to play the latter as a freshman and the former as a senior. Alfred Reed was (and is) one of my favorite composers for wind ensemble.
Scott Towns The name of that song is Կաքավիկ (Kaqavik) by Komitas. It means Partridge
It brings nostalgia from when I was in Band and played this.
Good for You, Perfect: Thank you from All Armenian People.
i remember playing this at 15 for my wind symphony. 1st part clarinet, i miss it
This is fun to play. Alfred Reed is one of my favorites :)
We are playing this song in my high school band. It is a very challenging but fun song.
THIS IS NOT A SONG IT'S A DANCE SUITE.
It’s a piece
Excellent performance by a fantastic ensemble and inspirational conductor.
マジかクラリネットってこんな音するんだ... すげーーーー!!(語彙力)
I really like that they show each instrument being played loudest kinda gives credit to each player👍
Definitively, This is the BEST wind orchestra in all the world!!!
Never a dull moment. Thank you maestro Reed!
that oboe player is so cute XD
KERMIT
高校の定期演奏会あれからもうすぐ40年経過…
リードの曲はホルンを目立たせてくれる最高🎵
Awesome piece. I played this in an honor band 30+ years ago and it brings back memories. So well-played!!! Bravo
I love this song so much! Im so glad I got to play this piece in the high school allstate band
Beautiful rendering of the original "Dzirani/Tzirani dzar" (Apricot tree), goes to "Gakavig" (Song of the Partridge), and continues to other lovely songs, originally composed by Father Komitas.
From one Armenian to another....Thank you very much, for the background information! 💜
Holy hell... Just performed this piece in a high school concert as the first alto today. The solos are just an absolute joy to play. Just this whole piece altogether is quite magical. It takes time to get into it, but once you do, it's like riding on a train of obsession. Truly wonderful.
Hey I’m just about to play this in Wind Ensemble as first alto in a couple days (I’m a junior in high school). It’s been a joy, and you’re right the solos are amazing. Been a long time since you commented this though but it was relatable so I had to pipe in lol
It makes me happy to see so many girls in their brass section! Also the one girl's euphonium is so pretty!
I love the ending! My daughter just played this and the speed is so impressive!!! Just spectacular!!
One of my favorite pieces.
my school’s band was rehearsing the hell outta this piece back in 2019- beginning of 2020 but then ofc covid hit and we never got to fully put everything together. listening to this makes me sad that i graduated w/o even getting to perform.
a difficult piece but so so so enjoyable even for me as a contrabass clarinet player lol. i wish i could go back to hs and perform this piece. none of the school stuff, just perform this piece and then i’ll feel some type of closure.
To Tokyo kosei wind Orchestra with my love - Bravo so nice
I’ve played principle trumpet on this piece this summer at a music camp and the last part always got everyone in the band super energetic to the point a few members would dance to it during rehearsals
Ya know...I still get that nervous anticipation when the piccolo solos come up. This was a super fun piece to play in wind ensemble.
Thre one piece I never got a chance to play. Brings tears to my eyes because this is the piece I was supposed to play but my family moved away. 5 of my bandmates were killed in a car accident the night of the concert
Sounds perfectly clear, great performance!!
I played this piece for district band this year and I loved it!
I got goosebumps just hearing this! Keep up the great work :)
We are playing this in my college concert band. This is the best recording that we use for reference
Playing this today wish me luck 😁
How did it go?
What an amazing group of musicians. Thank you for posting. I heard many recordings of this group but never a live performance.
I cry and am filled with happiness every time :}
The horns the whole time OMFGOOOOOOOD!!!!! Sooo good
Very nice. Thank you very much: my Armenian melodies sound very nice by Tokyo Kosei.
Wow! Pretty fantastic!! We played this in college and those clarinet runs at 9:25 still give me cold sweats! LOL! Such a great piece! This group plays it nearly flawlessly! And they make it look easy!!
アーティキュレーションがすごく参考になります。
Great job to the orchestra and also to the one who put this video together. Inspiring!
We're playing this song for wind symphony at my school
Same
+RainbowDashKills The question is where
+Solution For Your Problems wut
さすがkousei …名曲！
Wonderful performance. That 1/3 2/3 2/3 1/3 is very tricky. It took me a while to pick it up playing Timpani.
WOWWWY. That was beautifully done. I have the sax solo in my wind ensemble and I don't know how I'm going to do it...
とにかく
感動した
Love the instrumentation! Bass Sax! Contrabassoon! Contraalto Clarinet! 4 String Basses!
bcavitt u troll
叩き損なったのにそんな素振りを見せないシンバルと指揮者すごいな
う～ん どこ叩き損なってるのか分からない（泣
@@timpani01 5:53の小説頭のS.Cymです。シンバル奏者の方完全に忘れて座っているように見えます(笑)
１つのシンバルがないだけでこんなに殺風景になるなんて。。。笑
ほんとだ！笑
アルメニアンのパーカッション経験者です！確かにシンバル抜けててビックリでした。結構大事なところなのに。迫力が全然無くてちょっと笑ってしまいました。
Have to play the bassoon part in a month. Challenging but very fun
Had to play this for my spring concert my freshman year of high school. Still my most favorite piece to date, but we could never get a full run down until the night of the event.
I know how you feel. This was the honor band piece my junior year. I played the bass clarinet part, which ended up being way harder than I thought it would be. I've graduated now and I still have trouble playing some of the runs, but it's still so great
I'm playing this for the Bergen County All-County Band Audition (1st percussion snare drum part), but only the first 186 measures. Even though I'm accustomed to playing in 5/8 and 6/8 on my own time with progressive rock and such, it's a lot more challenging then I expected it to be. Listening to it while playing it is really cool. Looking forward to nailing it, since the entire music piece is really amazing to listen to.
Ben M
It's really worth learning the whole piece. The most fun I had preparing for honor band was working on this piece because I loved it so much.
Luna Blackheart Did end up playing this in All-County Band. We didn't take the 5/8 and 6/8 as fast, nor the second half (starting at measure 224, or the 2/4 time). That experience in its own was amazing, and each song was a blast. Can't wait for next year's selection.
Yeah, I can't see anything less than a top-notch high school wind ensemble or possibly region band performing this piece well. We just started rehearsing it in my high school wind ensemble (I'm a senior playing timpani), and I'm hoping that we'll be able to play the 5/8 section and the entire third page without ensemble tears by our first performance of it in late April.