Introduction
Samuel Hazo is a British composer and musician, best known for his work on various TV shows, films, and video games. He has composed music for several notable franchises, including "Star Wars", "The Lord of the Rings", and "Harry Potter". His scores often blend traditional orchestral elements with modern electronic and choral components, creating a unique and captivating sound.
- Harmonies are modern but tonal — strong modal and minor-inflected sonorities with bold brass chords and shifting color in woodwinds and low brass.
Jack Stamp
Ride was composed in 2002 as a "gesture of appreciation" for composer and conductor .
Our Kingsland Spring
(Grade 2) – Movement I of the Georgian Suite .
Deconstructing the Storm: Why Samuel Hazo’s “Ride” is the Gold Standard of Wind Literature (And Where to Find the Score)
- Score layout: The score is laid out in a clear and logical manner, with a straightforward format and notation.
- Instrumentation: The piece is scored for standard concert band instrumentation, including piccolo, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, trombones, tuba, and percussion.
- Tempo: The tempo of the piece is moderate, around 120-130 BPM.
- Time signature: The piece is written in 4/4 time, with some sections in 2/4 and 3/4.
- Key: The piece is written in the key of C major, with some sections in D major and E minor.
- Range: The piece requires a moderate range for most instruments, with some high notes in the brass and woodwind sections.
- Dynamic range: The piece features a wide dynamic range, from ff to pp.
- Articulation: The piece features a range of articulations, including legato, staccato, and marcato.
- Phrasing: The piece features a range of phrasing, including short, fragmented phrases and longer, more lyrical lines.
- Solo opportunities: The piece features solo opportunities for various instruments, including the piccolo, flutes, and clarinets.
- Ensemble cohesion: The piece requires a high level of ensemble cohesion, particularly in terms of rhythm, intonation, and articulation.
- Musicality: The piece demands a high level of musicality, particularly in terms of phrasing, dynamic contrast, and overall interpretation.
It is vital for educators and students to support composers by using legal methods to obtain sheet music. Due to copyright laws, distributing a free PDF of the full score without a license is illegal and harms the creators who write the music we love.
- "Ride" teaches rhythmic accuracy, sectional balance, endurance, and ensemble responsiveness — excellent for rehearsal focus and for preparing students for idiomatic contemporary band repertoire.