Black Rainbow Nathan Daughtrey

for 6 Percussionists & Symphonic Band
6 Solo Percussion with Band
Number of Players:Standard + 6
Copyright:2014
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe (optional)
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bassoon 1 & 2

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1/2
F Horn 3/4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
(Baritone T.C.)
Tuba

Double Bass

Percussion 1: 4 Timpani, Sizzle Cymbal, Egg Shaker(s), Triangle
Percussion 2: Bells, Crotales (2 octaves), Xylophone, Shared 4.3-octave Marimba
Percussion 3: Shared Vibraphone, Shared 4.3-octave Marimba, Suspended Cymbal
Percussion 4: Shared 4.3-octave Marimba, China Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal, Shared Vibraphone
Percussion 5: 4 Concert Toms, Bongos, China Cymbal, Wind Chimes, Ocean Drum
Percussion 6: Concert Bass Drum, Tam-Tam, Suspended Cymbal, 2 Congas
Piano (optional amplification if needed)
Commissioned by the Coventry High School band (Ned F. Smith, director), Black Rainbow explores the elusive and mystical moonbow a rainbow produced by light reflected off the surface of the moon. Because it is dark when a moonbow appears, the human eye cannot detect the full spectrum of colors that are present, making the moonbow appear to lack color, thus the name black rainbow. Using the spectrum of 7 colors found in all rainbows red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet or R.O.Y.G.B.I.V. I derived a pitch set that is used as the thematic material throughout: B-flat, G, F, C-flat, G-flat, D-flat, D-natural.

Additionally, the work divides into seven sections, traveling through the colors, each with its own unique energy.
Red: activity, energy, passion
Orange: creativity, playfulness, equilibrium
Yellow: wisdom, clarity of thought, orderliness
Green: harmony, sympathy, growth, expansion
Blue: peace & understanding, calm, relaxation
Indigo: infinity, bridge between the finite & the infinite
Violet: combination of red and blue energies; viewed as both an ending and a beginning

A piano reduction is also available from C. Alan Publications (Item #21082).