Scherzo Serio Brass Quintet & Optional Percussion

Translated from Italian, the title of this work ("Scherzo Serio") means "a serious joke." The jocular nature resulting from the multi-meter and irregular meter, punctuated by strong jabs of sound, makes it impossible to tap one's foot to the beat upon first hearing. The various sections of the work alternate between atonality and tertian harmony. As a whole it presents a clear three-part organization. This particularly fun and challenging two-minute brass quintet was completed in 2009 and premiered by the Faculty Brass Quintet from the University of Texas at San Antonio. MSgt Jim Bartelt (USAF, Retired) composed the majority of the percussion part when Gateway Brass from the USAF Band of the West toured with this piece in 2012.