Teaching Plan

Music Selection(s):
Title: Goddess of Fire
Composer: Steven Reineke
Instrumentation/Voicing: Symphonic Band
Publisher (and publisher number) : C.L. Barnhouse Company

Analysis of piece(s):
Broad Description: This is a programmatic piece depicting the goddess Pele, who is the embodiment of the
volcanoes of Hawaii. She alternates between appearing as a beautiful and nurturing young woman and an
passionate and destructive old woman in this piece. This is depicted through soft yet expansive sections in three-
four time for the young Pele, and loud syncopated sections in ten-eight time for the old Pele.
Type/Genre: Programmatic piece for symphonic band
Background Information:
Additional Choral/Instrumental Information: --
Elements of Music (including Form, Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Timbre, Texture, Expression)

Form: ABACBAB Since this is a programmatic work, the form is partly determined by the story, with the A
sections representing the young Pele, and the B sections representing the old Pele. The C section in the middle is a
volcanic eruption that builds up to another B section. The piece even ends with a short B section because, as the
composer says, Pele always gets the last word, and the cycle continues even after the piece has ended.

Rhythm: In the A sections, the rhythms are generally slow eighth and quarter note combinations, with a flowing
eighth note accompaniment. In the B sections, the syncopated rhythms in the 10/8 section are what really drives
the piece in those parts.

Melody: The melody in the A sections, particularly in the softer parts, are often in a solo woodwind instrument like
the oboe or flute. It is a flowing, almost sorrowful sounding melody, like a distant memory. It builds up to an
expansive melody with the whole band playing. In the B sections, the melody is mainly in the clarinets, who are
joined by the flutes and saxophones that are flourished with short sixteenth note runs that sound like lava pouring
in from all directions.

Harmony: The piece starts off in a minor, but moves to d minor in the first B section and stays there for the rest of
the piece. Arpeggiated eighth notes provide the harmony in the A sections, while syncopated dotted quarter and
quarter note combinations in the low brass provide the harmonic accompaniment in the B sections.

Timbre: The A sections are mainly driven by the woodwinds, while the B sections are driven by the rhythms of the
snare drum and the power of the brass section, with the woodwinds flowing over the top like lava. The C section
uses a variety of interesting aleatoric techniques to depict a volcanic eruption, such as snapping to represent the
crackling and popping in the earth, or the clarinets building unmeasured runs to show lava bubbling up to the
surface.

Texture: The texture is very thin in the beginning, and slowly builds up in the A section where the whole band is
playing, shortly before the first B section starts. The B section has a thick texture, with a wall of sound from the
brass section with the woodwinds flowing over top. Most of the time, the A section has a thinner texture, with a
solo woodwind instrument playing the melody. The C section starts with a thin texture again, but builds back up
again to second B section.

Expression: This piece provides a lot of opportunities for creative expression in depicting both the Goddess and
the volcano. The A sections have a sense of both mystery and wonder to them, as if you are getting a birds eye
view of the volcano from far above. The B sections however, are driving and full of rage and passion as they drive
forward. The C section in particular allows the band to think creatively about what part of the volcano they are
depicting, whether it be the huge bubbles of lava or the rumbling and cracking in the earth.

Additional Considerations/Reasons to Perform This Composition(s)

The Heart Statement or most important reason or purpose of the work(s):

As the Goddess of fire and volcanoes, Pele is both a creative and destructive force of nature. This piece juxtaposes
both sides of Pele, showing both her beautiful and nurturing side as a young woman, as well as her passionate and
explosive side as an old woman in a continuous cycle. Although these two sides are seemingly polar opposites,
they can coexist within one being, as shown in this piece. The contrast allows the two sides to compliment each
other.

Introducing the Piece (initial learning activity):

I would like the group to have a clear image in their mind of a volcano as they are playing this piece. Thus, I think
it would be fitting to start for the ensemble to see and hear volcanoes as they are starting this piece.

1.) I will start by asking the ensemble what kinds of words they would use to describe a volcano. What does it
sound and look like?
2.) The students will watch a video of a volcanic eruption and describe what they saw and heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=488BkTUsMa4

3.) The students will then play their own representation of a volcano on their instruments. They can be as
creative with their instruments as they like.
4.) Ask the students what kinds of things they heard from their peers and what parts of the volcano were
represented.
5.) Go to the piece, and play from measure 156 to 181, to see Steven Reinekes interpretation of a volcanic
eruption. Did anything sound familiar? What parts of the volcano did you recognize?

Skill Outcomesdescribe all skills your students will learn through this piece(s):

Students will be able to:

- Play and follow along comfortably in 10/8 time while accenting big beats
- Come in while staying in tempo with those who are already playing
- Listen for who they are playing with and where the melody is passed to

Knowledge Outcomedescribe all musical understandings your students will learn through this
piece(s):

Students will understand:

- Contrasting sections throughout a piece of music
- Growth and taper of phrases
- When and how to use different timbres on their instrument for different effects

Affective Outcomedescribe all affective/emotional connections your students will develop

through this piece(s):
Students will:
- Understand the story of Pele
- Be able to portray a volcanic eruption through their playing
- Understand the contrasting moods that the Goddess Pele exhibits, as demonstrated in this piece