Ohlone Suite - Sheet Music for Tuba Quartett Eett Barton Cummings

The "Ohlone Suite" for euphonium and tuba ensemble was composed specifically for the euphonium and tuba ensemble of Ohlone College after I had the pleasure of working with this group.

The work consists of four movements and is conceived as something of a nostalgic piece. My idea for the piece was to use melodic styles and harmonies that were popular at the beginning of the 20th century, when "park bands" or "community bands" entertained the citizens of their communities.

The first movement, "March", is a traditional, old-fashioned march in typical march form. The various sections of the movement alternate between lyrical, singing melodies and virtuosic, technical passages for all instruments.

The second movement, the Waltz, is meant to be fun. It is a slower waltz in rather American style, in contrast to the "Viennese" style. It is typical of the style of wind music from the first half of the 20th century.

The third movement, the Serenade, is more of a love song than a chorale. It was customary to feature the wind band during a concert with overtures and marches in a slower, more contemplative piece.

The fourth movement, "Gallop", is not a European "galop", but a thoroughly American "gallop", as heard at wind band concerts, in the circus, and at rodeos. It is fast-paced and exhilarating and, like most of these pieces, makes high technical demands on all instruments.

In contrast to the opening march, this movement uses a great deal of chromaticism. Although the "American Gallop" is similar in form to the march, the tempo is almost twice as fast, and most gallops can be played in half the time.