Composer’s note: I originally wrote this piece for Saxtet as a saxophone quartet with me, as tenor player, moving to the drum after the slow intro. Once we became a quintet I had an opportunity to add a a tenor part to the fast section, with me on drum from the start. A quartet could either have its tenor player learn the drum part, or use a percussionist.

The drum used should mimic the sound of a bodhrán, the Irish folk drum. To do this I used an antique military snare drum with skin heads and removed the snare. The pattern and accents I have written should be varied ad lib. I suggest listening to some Irish folk music to get the idea.

This piece is written about Northern Ireland which is where I was born and spent my first twenty-one years. It is about the conflict there and also reflects many of the musical forms I came into contact with: Irish folk music, Protestant marching bands and a still-flourishing pop music scene.

The E-Edition PDF bundle comes with the following parts:

Standard parts
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone & Drum

Optional parts
Tenor Saxophone

“Gig!” is also available in hard-copy from June Emerson Wind Music.