Full score - A Bird's-Eye View - 2023-05-05

About The Piece:
This piece was commissioned by the South Allegheny H.S. Band Parents Inc. to honor
elementary band director Karen Kadar for her 30 years of dedicated service to the South
Allegheny School District band program. When Jessica Kovacs contacted me to talk through
the piece, they knew they wanted to honor Karen with a work for the beginning band. She also
shared that Karen is an avid birdwatcher. When you teach beginners for some time, your
perspective opens up, and you take joy in seeing your students "leave the nest" to continue
their musical interactions with the world. That thought struck me as similar to what it might
be like looking down from the perspective of a bird in ight, seeing the big picture. Thank you,
Karen, for your years of service to music education.
Other Considerations:
As requested by the commissioning ensemble, I wrote for various percussion instruments. This
piece focuses on an articulative idea that is carried through the piece. The essential parts are
Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Bird Call, and Tambourine. These parts can be removed as
needed. Everything else is optional.
Multiple players and various bird sound makers could play the Bird Call. I had in mind the
"Audubon Bird Call." You could also use this part antiphonally if your performance space
allows for that interactivity. The sound will repeat for the duration marked in the part
dynamics, and intensity largely depend on how many performers you have played that part
and with what sound makers. The conductor should use their best judgment to shape that
element of this piece.
Cover photo by Veronika Bykovich
Additional parts and practice play-along tracks may be requested by emailing
robtraughmusic@gmail.com or submitting a request through www.roberttraugh.com.