Fog for Wind Ensemble (Digital Download)

The second edition of Fog has stayed mostly similar to the original version, with standardized orchestration, and some changes in voicings to better fit the instruments.

The piece consists of two main sections. The first section from the beginning to m. 80 in g minor, the second from m. 81 to the end in F Major. The whole piece is built entirely off the melody introduced in the first 8 bars. This chorale-like statement is played under everything from the beginning to measure 73. All other melodies and harmonies intertwine with this chorale and build off one another. This represents a fog bank slowly rolling in as the texture keeps getting thicker and thicker.

In the transition between the two sections, mm. 73-80, the fog begins to clear, as the energy from the beginning slowly dissipates. The chorale-like statement then finally returns in m. 85 but this time in the key of F major. This slowly builds and eventually leads to the final plagal ending that closes this piece.

While Fog can represent the literal weather event it is also meant to represent the struggles that we go through daily. The struggle to overcome challenges or as in the case of Fog the struggle to keep going when you feel lost. As this piece builds and builds you feel more lost, you get more stressed and anxious as you have no idea where you are or what is going on. The music, however, keeps moving forward. As it keeps moving forward you realize that this is the secret to getting out of the fog. If you keep moving forward with consistency, confidence, and determination, it will eventually clear and better days will be ahead.

It is my great pleasure to dedicate this edition to Dr. Jennifer Bill. Thank you for your guidance through my master’s and for taking a chance and playing this piece. Through working with you I have learned and grown so much as a person and a musician, thank you so much for everything.

Original Program Notes

Fog is the third movement of his weather suite that includes others like Snow (2015), Rain (Unfinished), and Wind (2016). Fog fits into the weather suite like all the other pieces, in that it doesn’t directly represent the weather, but more of the mood the weather makes you feel. This movement starts off with a main theme in the low reeds that persists throughout the entire piece. Slowly the texture gets thicker and thicker until it is a swirling maze that you don’t know how to get out of. All of a sudden the fog clears and you can see where you are going and you wonder why you were ever worried in the first place. This all leads to the grand finale, reiterating that no matter what the struggles, there is always hope that you can make it through. 

Duration: Aprox. 5:30

Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 Flutes, Oboe, 2 Bassoons, 3 Clarinets in Bb, Bass Clarinet in Bb, Contrabass Clarinet in Bb (optional), 2 Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, 3 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Horns in F, 3 Trombones, Euphonium, Tuba, Double Bass, Timpani, Chimes, Marimba, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Tam-tam, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tambourine Triangle, Crash Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal.