Hamelin, After the Rats (18:30)

This piece was written for the Case Western Reserve University Wind Band thanks to a generous grant from the Case Western S.O.U.R.C.E. awards.

I. Dance of the Children
II. Piper's Tune
III. Into the Cave
IV. The Gate
V. March of the Lost Souls
VI. Laughter of the Piper

Brief Program Notes (for use in concerts):
Hamelin, After the Rats was commissioned by the Case Western SOURCE office in the spring of 2005.  It is a 17 minute, highly programmatic work about the Pied Piper.  Each movement draws heavily from the story-telling tradition and is meant (as most great folk-tales are) for children.  The plot of Hamelin begins with the parents of the town in church.  They have refused to pay the Piper for ridding the town of rats, and because of this, he is lurking in the shadows—waiting to steal the children as they dance outside.  This scene is presented with frequent breaks in style and dynamics, moving back and forth between the piper and the children, in the same way that the story would be told.  The Piper’s Tune captures the children’s attention, and, as per the folk-tale, he leads them into a system of caverns.  This marks the end of the traditional story; however, this storyteller breaks from tradition and begins to explain what happens after the children go Into the Cave.  All that can be heard are the subtle rumblings of cave-dwelling creatures as they echo off the vast cavernous walls.  The children remain entranced, and after walking a short distance, they arrive at The Gate.  This glorious and ornate archway is both majestic and foreboding.  A dark brass fanfare breaks the silence.  The demons behind the gate frighten the children, but still they march on.  March of the Lost Souls marks the last time we hear from the children, and when the march slowly winds down, all that remains is the Laughter of the Piper.  Unusual percussive effects are found throughout, as are elements of improvisation and some curious vocal effects.

Instrumentation:
Piccolo
2x Flute
2x Oboe
3x Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
2x Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
Baritone Sax
Bassoon
Contrabassoon
3x Horn in F
3x Trumpet
2x Tenor Trombone
Baritone (or Euphonium)
Tuba
Timpani
3x Percussion
Piano

Percussion:
Suitable adjustments and alterations may be made to the percussion parts as needed.
The list of necessary percussion equipment is as follows:

Bass Drum
Castanets
Crotales
Crash Cymbal
Marimba
Mark Tree
4 Nipple Gongs             (tuned to A2, C#3, F3, G3 substitutions
                                       may be made if absolutely necessary)
Rain-stick
Slide Whistle
Snare Drum
2 Suspended Cymbals (use one on timpani)
Small Suspended Cymbal             (14"-20" diameter preferred, as long as
                                                      it is smaller than the 2 suspended cymbals)
Tam-tam
Thunder Sheet
5 Timpani (23", 25-26", 28-29", 2x 30-32")
Triangle
Tubular Bells
Vibraslap
5 Wind Chimes*
2 Wine Glasses (tuned to Bb4, F5) - Displace by octaves as necessary

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