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SELECTED REVIEWS - MUSIC OF SCOTT WATSON
NIGHT JOURNEY (Wingert-Jones, Grade 3): "This composition is a programmatic piece describing a nocturnal train ride through a stark and darkened landscape. It is easy to feel the building energy of the locomotive...There is a Native American flavor to the melodic content that also has blues and jazz references."
--John Villella, PMEA News, Spring 2012
LION OF IRELAND (Alfred, grade 2.5): "This colorful piece is based upon...Brian Boru's March. The original theme statement displays a bouncy 6/8 rendition of the modal melody. Once this is introduced, the work moves into free development of original material that displays traces of the folk tune. Much of the writing explores woodwind textures with the low brass making significant contributions."
--Charles R. Groeling, The Instrumentalist, March 2012
JAMAICA ME CRAZY (Alfred, Grade 1.5): "...delightful Caribbean piece. The syncopated melody is fun to play and an easy way to develop good confidence with syncopation for young musicians."
--John Villella, PMEA News, Winter 2011
TU UNGANE (Alfred, Grade 2): "Excellent melodic material and cool rhythmic
grooves makes this a fun composition for musicians and audience alike."
--John Villella, PMEA News, Winter 2010
FANTASY ON AN OLD ENGLISH AIR (Shawnee/Hal Leonard, Grade 3.5): "...an outstanding instrumental
fantasia on the 18th-century tune, 'Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes.' The
beautiful melodies and interesting harmonies use a variety of dynamics. The
piece...has numerous opportunities for expressive playing."
--Mark Hosler, The Instrumentalists, March 2004
CONCERTO FOR TRUMPET AND ORCHESTRA: "....invigorating."
--Peter Burwasser, The Philadelphia City Paper, October
25, 2001
HYMN AND DECLARATION: "Watson exhibited a great deal of skill
in managing the resources of the orchestra. He knew how to produce interesting
sounds....in the context of a very well-crafted piece......he will very likely
become a force to be reckoned with."
--Philip A. Metzger, The Morning Call, April 12,
2000
CONCERTO FOR TRUMPET AND ORCHESTRA: "....a distinctive composition
that should prove challenging and absorbing for the performers, as well as interesting
and captivating for the audience."
--Randy Grabowski, International Trumpet Guild Journal,
January 2000
FANTASY ON AN OLD ENGLISH AIR (Shawnee/Hal Leonard, Grade 3.5): "Watson skillfully transforms
his zest for life into his own brand of unique musical exuberance. His scoring
for winds, brass, and percussion is excellent."
--Kenneth Laudermilch, PMEA News, September 1998
DARK CHASE (Trillenium): "....written with supreme craft......Dark Chase
is an excellent opener or an exiting show-piece in the center of a concert.
Percussion ensemble conductors and performing musicians will find time spent
on this piece very rewarding. A published edition will serve the musical community
well."
--Cort McClaren, Percussive Notes, April 1993
AESOP'S FABLES (Alfred, Grade 4.5): "What a sheer delight ......Watson has taken
four familiar episodes and brought them to life with narrator and a large wind
ensemble instrumentation.......storylines and imaginitive musical interplay
captivate children and adults alike. It is without a doubt the finest programmatic/narrative
that we've ever come across for band. FOUR STARS!"
--Kenneth Laudermilch, PMEA News, November 1993
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