Robert the Bruce and the Spider (Concert Band - Score Only) - Fraser, Bruce

King Robert the Bruce was hunted by King Edward the First of England and, so the story goes, was hiding in a cave. According to legend, he watched a spider attempting to climb a tree whilst weaving a web. It failed many times, but finally reached the top. This action gave Robert the Bruce the encouragement to persist against the English ant at the Battle of Bannockburn the English were defeated by the Scots. The rhythm which opens the piece in percussion spells out Robert the Bruce and this is used with an unusual effect in the middle section from the Percussion section, where the players gradually raise their sticks above their heads whilst beating out the Robert the Bruce rhythm pattern.