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Josh Rodriguez
BALLENAS
(Whales)
Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1-2
Oboe 1-2
Bassoon 1-2
Clarinet in Bb 1-3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Sax 1-2
Tenor Sax
Baritone Sax
Trumpet in Bb 1-3
Horn in F 1-4
Trombone 1-3 (Tbn 3 can be played on Bass Tbn)
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (for four players)
Percussion 1: Tubular Bells, Bass Drum
Percussion 2: Glockenspiel, Claves, Rainstick
Percussion 3: Vibraphone, Congas (High/Low)
Percussion 4: Medium Suspended Cymbal, Tam Tam, Bongos (High/Low)
Piano (piano part may be doubled by harp or played on the harp alone)
Approximate Duration: 6.5 mins
Performance Note
It is crucial that the amourphous harmonic swells are balanced with clearly articulated melodic material; soloists and sections
that are playing important melodic materials throughout must bring these out of the texture.
Toward the end of the work, there are various extended techniques mixed in with percusion swells are intended to evoke the
sounds of the sea and its creatures: 1) m82, key clicks 2) m85, pitchless air swells + key clicks 3) m87, pitchless air crescendo.
The latter emulates the sudden explosion of a whale exhaling through the blowhole breaking the surface of the water (it should
sound like "shh!" with a swell). From m. 87 to the end, the tempo can be slowed down to Q = 52, to allow more space for the
swells of non-pitched parts. This expressive decision is at the discretion of the director.
Program Note
I've always loved the sea. My earliest memories of my rst visit to my father's homeland, Colombia, involve the white sands of
San Andres Island. Seeing the expansive horizon and realizing that every step took me into deeper waters lled my heart with
a sense of awesome fear and excitement. And of course, the ocean is home to the largest mammals whales - awesome creatures
of majestic movement, nuturing spirit, and glorious songs. I have not tried to emulate whalesong in this piece, but BALLENAS,
Spanish for "whales," is a meditation on the sea and these awesome creatures - a reminder of their importance to our fragile
ecosystem and their need for our continued protection.
BALLENAS was written for Dr. James Hile and Elmhurst University, and premiered on May 5, 2024.
Composer Biography
Known for his energetic rhythms, rich harmonic language, and striking colors, award-winning composer Josh Rodriguez (b.
1982) continues to gain recognition as an emerging composer and collaborator on a national and international scale. Born in
Argentina and raised in Guatemala, Mexico and the United States, Rodriguez’s musical imagination has been formed by this
bilingual, multi-cultural heritage. He collaborates regularly with theatre and lm directors and has received several notable
concert commissions in a wide range of musical genres. Rodriguez serves as Associate Professor of Music Theory and
Composition at Elmhurst University.
To purchase Rodriguez' music, visit J.W. Pepper & https://www.joshrodriguezmusic.com/
BALLENAS
Josh Rodriguez
Piccolo
= 60
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
Clarinet in B♭ 1
Clarinet in B♭ 2
Clarinet in B♭ 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet in B♭ 1
= 60
Trumpet in B♭ 2
Trumpet in B♭ 3
French Horn in F 1
French Horn in F 2
French Horn in F 3
French Horn in F 4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Tubular Bells
Vibraphone
Suspended Cymbal
soft yn
Glockenspiel
Piano
2 3 4
© 2024 Josh Rodriguez
2
Picc.
Fl. 1
BALLENAS
8
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
8
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
5 6 7 8
3
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
BALLENAS
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
9 10 11 12
4
BALLENAS
Picc.
13
(solo)
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
13
solo
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
med. (rubber or yn)
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
13 14 15 16
5
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
17
17
BALLENAS
straight mute
straight mute
straight mute
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
17 18 19 20
6
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
BALLENAS
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Vib.
To B. Dr.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
21 22 23 24
7
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
26
BALLENAS
26
ord.
ord.
ord.
Timp.
B. Dr.
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Four drums - low to high: D - G - C - D
Glock.
Pno
25 26
27 28
8
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
BALLENAS
30
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
30
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Tune C to D
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
29 30 31 32
9
Picc.
Fl. 1
BALLENAS
36
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
solo
(all)
(all)
36
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
33 34 35 36
10
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
39
BALLENAS
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
39
B. Dr.
hard rubber
w/soft mallets
l.v.
Tam Tam
37 38 39 40
11
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Vib.
44
gliss.
gliss.
gliss.
gliss.
Tune low D to F
BALLENAS
44
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
l.v.
l.v.
41 42 43 44
12
Picc.
Fl. 1
BALLENAS
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
med. yn or rubber
Med. Sus. Cymbal
l.v.
45 46 47 48
13
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
49
49
BALLENAS
Tub. Bells
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
To Tub. Bells
Glock.
Pno
(trill in both 8vas)
49 50 51 52
14
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
(solo)
56
(all)
(all)
(all)
56
(all)
(all)
BALLENAS
solo
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
53 54 55 56
15
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
BALLENAS
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
Tam Tam
l.v.
57 58 59 60
16
BALLENAS
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
62
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
62
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
hard rubber
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
61 62 63
17
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
BALLENAS
Vib.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
64 65 66
18
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
BALLENAS
68
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
68
Tune F to Eb
stagger breathing for unbroken sound
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
67 68 69 70
19
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
BALLENAS
73
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
73
straight mute
straight mute
straight mute
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
Tub. Bells
soft yn
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
71 72 73 74
20
BALLENAS
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
76
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
76
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
solo
solo
solo
solo
solo
Timp.
Tub. Bells
Vib.
To B. Dr.
To Con.
Sus. Cym.
Glock.
Pno
l.v.
To Clv.
75 76 77 78
w/soft mallets
21
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
82
key clicks, unsynchronized
BALLENAS
82
key clicks, unsynchronized
key clicks, unsynchronized
straight mute
Timp.
B. Dr.
Con.
Sus. Cym.
Clv.
Pno
B. Dr.
Con.
Low drum (w/ngers or palms)
To Bon.
Low drum
w/ngers or palms
l.v.
High drum
79 80 81 82
Clv.
High Drum
22
BALLENAS
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
key clicks, unsynchronized
key clicks, unsynchronized
key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Con.
Bon.
Clv.
Pno
To Sus. Cym.
Rainstick
Tune G to Ab
inside piano w/ngers,
unspecied pitch
83 84 85
Sus. Cym.
gliss.
23
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
key clicks, unsynchronized
key clicks, unsynchronized
key clicks, unsynchronized
(ord.)
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
key clicks, unsynchronized
key clicks, unsynchronized
87
pitchless air cresc.
pitchless air cresc.
87
BALLENAS
pitchless air cresc.
key clicks, unsynchronized
key clicks, unsynchronized
(ord.)
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Con.
Sus. Cym.
Clv.
Pno
High drum & low drum
l.v.
l.v.
To Bon.
Low drum
86 87 88
24
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
(pitchless air swells + key clicks)
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchelss air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks,
unsynchronized
BALLENAS
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
(pitchless air swells + key clicks)
pitchless air cresc.
pitchless air cresc.
pitchless air cresc.
pitchless air cresc.
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Con.
Bon.
Clv.
Pno
High & low drums
gliss.
Low drum
Rainstick
89 90 91
l.v.
High drum
25
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
BALLENAS
92
92
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air swells + key clicks, unsynchronized
pitchless air cresc.
pitchless air cresc.
pitchless air cresc.
Tba
Timp.
B. Dr.
Con.
Sus. Cym.
Clv.
Pno
To Sus. Cym.
l.v.
gliss.
l.v.
Bon.
High & low drums
92 93 94 95
26
BALLENAS
Picc.
Fl. 1
Fl. 2
Ob. 1
Ob. 2
ritardando
Bsn 1
Bsn 2
Cl. in B♭ 1
Cl. in B♭ 2
Cl. in B♭ 3
B. Cl.
A. Sax. 1
A. Sax. 2
T. Sax.
Bar. Sax.
Tpt in B♭ 1
ritardando
Tpt in B♭ 2
Tpt in B♭ 3
F. Hn in F 1
F. Hn in F 2
F. Hn in F 3
F. Hn in F 4
Tbn. 1
Tbn. 2
Tbn. 3
Euph.
Tba
pitchless air swell
pitchless air swell
Timp.
B. Dr.
Con.
Bon.
Clv.
Pno
l.v.
gliss.
To Sus. Cym.
l.v.
(pref. Tam Tam)
96 97 98 99
ed. 11/24/24
Elmhurst. IL