I am in need of some descriptive commentary of the marching band
composition, "The Rise and Fall of Rome," composed by Key Poulan. 
Need this week if possible.  Thank You.

Here is a descriptive commentary of Key Poulan's "The Rise and Fall of
Rome." This is an excerpt from a student's description on a site
devoted to the band and color guard of Buchanan High School (Clovis,
California):

"The first movement "Chisels and Stone" consisted of the building of
Rome (The pillars added a great effect). Things were all coming
together and everyone was happy. With its many dynamic peaks and
valleys "Chisels and Stone" was a great opener.

The second movement denotes the internal struggle between religions.
Containing soothing melodies and powerful licks it is a very moving
movement. "Catacombs" featured David Holland on Alto Saxophone, and BJ
Benefiel on Trumpet. A quartet was also featured with Ben Weber on
Mellophone, David Goyett on Trombone, and BJ Benefiel and Howard
Slater on Trumpet.

The third movement, "Pagan Dance and Great Fire". It showed the
prosperous Romans and the calling of their end. Them showing their own
demise. It is said that the plumbing tubes were made of lead, which
made them go crazy because water they drank flowed through those
pipes. The piece ends with the Great Fire, which supposedly brought
Rome down into ruins."

(Written by Jerry Phanthamany of Buchanan High School) 

From http://members.tripod.com/jerryjp60/page3.html

Here is another description of the work as performed by the Buchanan
High School Marching Band, from the Clovis Unified School District
homepage:

"The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, composed by Key Poulan,
Director of Bands, and Leonard Bedoian, was staged in three movements.
The first, "Chisel and Stones" had band members and color guard
chiseling out the pillars of Rome. The second movement, "Catacombs"
mirrored the underground worship of the day. The third movement,
"Pagan Dances/Great Fires" showed the fall of the aristocracy of Rome.

Using props to illustrate the building of Rome, its internal problems
and eventual fall gave this show a dramatic edge. During the second
movement, Leanne Nowlin ascended 20 feet above the crowd upon a single
pole. The music, with its creative use of sounds and solos played by
David Holland on saxophone and B.J. Benefiel on trumpet captivated the
audience. The colorful flags from the Color Guard were flapped high in
the air symbolizing the flames that engulfed the once mighty city of
Rome. A dramatic and powerful presentation garnered the first place
award."

http://www.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/news/Nov_20_1999.htm

Here you will find three audio excerpts from "The Rise and Fall of
Rome," as performed by the Mustang Marching Band of California
Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo:

Movement 1, Chisels and Stone: 
http://www.band.calpoly.edu/FTS/multimedia/Key%20Poulan%20-%20Rise%20and%20Fall%20of%20Rome-mvt1.mp3

Movement 2, Catacombs: 
http://www.band.calpoly.edu/FTS/multimedia/Key%20Poulan%20-%20Rise%20and%20Fall%20of%20Rome-mvt2.mp3

Movement 3, Pagan Dances and Great Fire:
http://www.band.calpoly.edu/FTS/multimedia/Key%20Poulan%20-%20Rise%20and%20Fall%20of%20Rome-mvt3.mp3

A larger Cal Poly MP3 audio file, encompassing all three movements,
can be found here:

http://www.band.calpoly.edu/~lkeagle/MP3/Key%20Poulan-The%20Rise%20and%20Fall%20of%20Rome.mp3

I hope this meets your needs. If any part of my answer is in need of
explanation, or if any of the links are nonfunctional, please ask for
clarification.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

---------------------------------------

Google search strategies:

"the rise and fall of rome" + "poulan"
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"key poulan"
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"key poulan" + "rome"
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Request for Answer Clarification by jurban-ga on 22 Aug 2002 11:21 PDT

Thank you for your answer.  I narrate the half-time performances for
our high school band in Clovis NM.  Our group is performing "Rise and
Fall of Rome" this year.  What I need is indepth commentary describing
what each movment is attempting to portray, rather than a focus on
individual performances.

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 22 Aug 2002 12:21 PDT

I would think that the best interpreter of "The Rise and Fall of Rome"
would be Key Poulan himself. I have emailed an inquiry about the
meaning of this composition to Mr. Poulan, whose email address is
listed on his Web site:

http://www.keypoulan.com/

I am awaiting his response, and will post it here as soon as I receive
it. You may want to send Mr. Poulan a few more specific questions, as
well.

In the meantime I will continue to seek other sources of information
on this subject.

~pinkfreud

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 28 Aug 2002 11:55 PDT

I have not yet received an email response from Key Poulan regarding
the interpretation of "The Rise and Fall of Rome." I've left messages
with two high school bandleaders in my area to see whether they may be
able to offer some suggestions.

~pinkfreud