Fast Attack

Musically, the piece is full of styles and compositional techniques that offer conductors many teaching opportunities. An obvious element to point out is the use of Anchors Aweigh quotes throughout the work. There is a unifying rhythmic motif that connects each section of the piece. The uses of mixed meter, brief moments of quartal harmony, sequential passages, dramatic style changes and melodic variations are all concepts that could be presented from the podium.a