“The Peacock Polka” orchestrated for Circus Band (2 Clarinets, 3 Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Euphonium BC and TC, Tuba, and Drums) by Sarah Houle, 2023/2024.
What a delightfully happy polka! This cute polka frolics in the biergarten just as the peacocks do!
For all that know and all that have seen, one of our local breweries has a beautiful biergarten, abundant with flowers and large shady trees. It is a lovely place to sit and listen to live music while enjoying their German craft beer. Sometimes, if one is lucky, their peacocks will wander through the landscaping. They are so fun to see, especially when they have chicks in tow.
I have decided to write this polka in more typical fashion with a Trio section, which is a rolling and swelling dynamic treat. The clarinets and euphonium have the melody at the beginning. The trumpets get to play the part of the peacocks, trumpeting out a modified peacock ‘meow’ call. Eventually, the trumpets do get a chance at the melody, even with a bit of a soloistic part.
Over all, I am quite pleased with this orchestration of the piece. Originally, I had done this for brass quartet, but this is expanded for the circus band.
Enjoy the “Peacock Polka”!
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Euphonious Music 