TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN for wind Ensemble and narrator. This is a 20 minute tone poem for Wind Symphony that was commissioned to celebrate the famous total eclipse of August 21, 2017 which passed directly over the continental United States, the most visible eclipse in the US since 1979. The music and narration follow the Sun from sunrise to sunset through all the stages of the eclipse. The music is colorful bold, lyrical and mystical. It features an extended soprano sax solo based on Handel's aria "Total Eclipse" from his oratorio SAMSON. The narration describes the eclipse from a mythological as well as a scientific perspective. It is an ideal composition for a family concert.
THE GOLDEN FINDE - DRAKE AT PT. REYES (Grade 5). The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band performs Mark Narins' composition at Everett Middle School in San Francisco on April 25, 2015. The piece was commissioned by the Daly City All Stars Band 2013I.
- THE FOGGES: The Golden Hind struggles up the coast of California looking for a harbor in which to dock. The ship is in dire need of repair. Sir Francis Drake describes in his log a kind of weather he has never encountered before which he calls "the fogges". The ships buglers are divided into two group: one group at the bow and the second at the stern of the ship. They blow loud trumpet calls through the fog to see if they can hear an echo which would signify land.
- II. SAILING INTO PT. REYES HARBOR: The ship finally breaks through the thick fog and a large deep blue bay stretches out before them. Here is the entrance to the harbor they have been desperately seeking.
- III. REPAIRS AND REJOICING: The whole crew plunges into the work of repairing the ship but this is happy work. The ships pipers play lively jigs to entertain the crew including a "Gavotte" by the famous English composer William Byrd.
- IV. THE MIWOKS: In the distance the sailors spot two canoes with people in them. A kind of people they have never seen before. These are the indigenous people of this region in California.
- V. ALARM!! The whole crew of the Golden Hind is put on high alert at battle stations. The Miwoks observe the activity on the ship and become alarmed. The whole tribe appears on the shore of the far end of the bay.
- VI. FURIOUS DANCE FOR ALL: A group of 20 Miwok warriors in full war dress begin a furious war dance on the far shore of the bay. Drake observes this dancing and in an attempt to avert a confrontation, orders the ships pipers to play their liveliest jigs. The sailors are ordered away from their battle stations and encouraged to dance openly on the main decks. Both groups observe each other dancing. Hostile intentions are nullified. Drake"s landing at Pt. Reyes is successful and peaceful for all.