Sea Dragon Expedition
Channel: Jim Machajewski
Date: 2016-05-20

Composed by Ayden Machajewski, performed by the Round Rock High School Wind Ensemble.

About the Composition:
Sea Dragon Expedition represents a grand nautical adventure with triumphant themes and a driving pulse. The piece begins with the swift introduction of the main theme and gradually explores the emotions of what setting off on a grand adventure must feel like. The entire piece generally gets faster, akin to how a story leads to a climax, then slows down to more solemn reflection before pushing on again. The goal of this piece was to have recurring theme, so a
strong central melody is quickly introduced, then repeated multiple times through the piece driving a sense of unity. At the same time driving from simple repetition, creating interesting variation.

The piece is divided into four distinct sections:
Section one is opens the piece with a triumphant theme, then brings things back down again to be built up later. Note in the slower part of the piece that trombones have a “free” glissando. This simply means that the rate which they glissando should not be affected by time, and each player should try and gliss at different rates. The percussion part in this section also calls for a spring drum. If one can’t be acquired, a suspended cymbal can also be substituted.

Section two beginning at measure 35, is an energetic sea shanty, that gradually gets faster the entire time. Low brass and percussion will repeat the same basic rhythmic base, and should sound like a chant. This is broken up by brief woodwind ensembles, each ending with the same 2 bar phrase. This phrase should be emphasized. This continues onward until a section of unison notes, which slow the energy back down.

Section three begins at measure 135 with a slow flute solo. This section slowly gains more depth, so each part can gradually crescendo to the end of the section. This part, while it speeds
up, should be laid back, and reflective. The final measures here introduce brass eighth notes, which should be brought out but not above the melody.

Section four at measure 176 recalls back to the beginning, with melodies from sections one and two. This section also introduces a counter melody in some of the woodwind parts a quarter note rhythm. Make sure this stands out from the rest of the background, just behind the melody. This section also alternates between 9/8 and 6/8 sections. At measure 200 there is a brief percussion break, before ending. On the last note, the clarinet and oboe parts should sustain slightly longer than the rest of the band and gradually fade out.

About Ayden Machajewski:
At the time of the publication of this score Ayden Machajewski is a 14 year old high school freshman enrolled at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas. He is an active member of the Round Rock High School Dragon Band playing percussion in the marching band, Wind Symphony, jazz band and indoor percussion ensemble.

Ayden has received numerous individual and group accolades. He is an all region percussionist and has received numerous 1st division ratings on both solos and ensembles As a member of the Dragon Band Ayden was a 7th place finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, and achieved 4th place at the TCGC Indoor Percussion State Competition.

Ayden’s first formal music lessons began at the age of 6, starting with piano. He continued to grow musically, starting drum set lessons at age 9. His first few compositions were short themes written for piano. In 2014, he wrote his first ensemble piece, “Arabian Carnival,” performed by the James Walsh Middle School Symphonic Band Percussion Ensemble. In 2015 Ayden expanded his composition skills to a full symphonic ensemble and completed “Seasonal Shift” in the Spring of 2015. This piece was written exclusively for and performed by the James Walsh Middle School Honor Band. In 2016 Ayden completed his second full length piece for symphonic band “Sea Dragon Expedition”.  This piece was debuted at the annual Spring concert of the Round Rock High School Band and performed by the Round Rock High School Wind Ensemble.

Ayden continues to grow as a performer and composer. He will attend the Summer Music Composition Institute at Illinois Wesleyan University in June of 2016 under the direction of Dr. Mario Pelusi. His intention is to find a mentor with whom he can work to continue to improve his composition skills