Reveille by Paul Burnell. Composed 2002, with minor revisions to the score in 2023. For instruments in six parts, reading treble clef. Optional: percussion (2 low drums, agogo bells, marimba or piano), six voices, drone on E

Duration 7:00 approx.

Score in C

The instrumental parts may be played with multiple performers on each part 1-6. Octave transpositions are allowed optionally at any point, in addition to those bars marked with ‘opt. 8’. If there are multiple performers on each part then have solo performers from rehearsal letter E to the end. The technique instructions in brackets (pizz., arco, con sord.) are not meant to indicate specific instruments, they are applicable only to those appropriate instruments who may be performing.

Optional - Percussion instruments. Two low drums, agogo bells, marimba or piano.

Optional - Voices. In the opening section, each voice in turn speaks the name of the subsequent instrumental performer at the beginning of the indicated bar (or any person if there are multiple players within the part). The subsequent rhythms are a guide and can be interpreted freely. The voices may characterise their delivery so that each person is distinguished from the other. For example - angry, loving, curious, frightened, strict, cynical.

Optional - Drone on low E. The drone may be played on any instruments, taking breath or rests as necessary. The drone ends in the bar before rehearsal letter E. The drone may be doubled one or two octaves higher and/or an octave lower than written. If multiple instruments are playing the drone, the players may fade in and out of the drone texture ad lib.

Any of the following also optional: Voices enter, three with folded bed sheets who unfold and shake them open; others recite list of night birds. Hang sheets to make a screen. Instrumentalists enter. Bird flying silhouettes or bird hand-shapes projected. Intermittent recorded sounds of flapping wings. At end voices fold sheets, exit with instrumentalists, flapping wings sound fades. Other instruments sustain low e from beginning to letter E.

Bird names: barn owl, stone curlew, nightjar, long-eared owl, whip-poor-will, Japanese night heron, tawny owl, northern mockingbird, hermit thrush, black crowned night heron, great horned owl, shearwater, woodcock, common nighthawk, chuck-will’s-widow, Jerdon’s courser, corncrake.