This work is to give three impressions of Carnival. The challenge of composing this was to try to emulate the rhythmic aspect, since it is soprominent throughout the genres involved. Emulating theses style can also be very exhausting, so I made use of dovetailing extensively throughout.

1. Brazil: I listened to a great deal of this music to get a handle on the style and the traits that are most prominent. You can almost imagine (almost) the hand percussion in the background. In this movement the eighth’s are straight.

2. Ash Wednesday Rag: Mardi Gras is always on Fat Tuesday, and followed by Ash Wednesday, the beginning of lent, where you have to behave yourself for 6 weeks, until easter. This movement takes us back to a simpler more innocent time and is more an afternoon stroll. If you listen closely you’ll hear a catholic hymn or two remind the listener of what ash Wednesday if for. Here, the eighths are swung

3. New Orleans: Straight up Dixieland without the drums. This is to represent Fat Tuesday, the height of the celebration. Just like Dixieland tunes, in the final go round everyone should imagine they are the most important part, determined to be heard. This will help with the feeling of total abandon.

Dixieland is straighter than swung, but not completely straight, it’s half way in between. It’s more driven. There’s plenty of Dixieland online to listen to for this. (i.e. Al Hirt at the Mardi Gras (1962), or Pete Fountain)