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We're planning on playing Exultate by Samuel R. Hazo as one of the main pieces for our Spring concert. It has some really wicked woodwind runs. The runs really just need some getting used to since they're Bb scales, it's the articulation are what seem to slow me down now. sweatdrop I'm really excited about this piece though.

Heres a link if you want to listen:
Exultate
Click Free Audio Sample.

I was wondering what people think of it and if at all possible maybe someone could give advice on conquering those runs.

It's definately a fun piece that much I can tell just by listening to it. I play the flute and although I have the fingerings and rhythms down fairly well, I can't get the runs to tempo without passing out. Particularly on the first page.

it's all over the place...
i hear a lot of the theme from his other piece "Ride" in this piece as well. it's sad that there is not a lot of originality in each of his works.
the runs are nice though, i like the piccolo's reach to the upper register.
good luck. i think my sister may be playing it this year with our high school as well. but after doing "Ride" last year, i personally don't think that's a good idea. ohh well. lol.

Wow, that sounds like an interesting piece.
My band was originally playing a Hazo piece this year, one called Voices of the Sky, but we dropped it cuz it was too easy lolz.
I play the clarinet, but I still have PLENTY of experience w/ crazy runs lol, and my advice is standard. Just take it slow until you have it totally mastered, then gradually speed up until you can play at tempo. If the runs are in triplets or groups of sixteenth notes for example, try to feel the rhythm and add weight to either the first or last note of each group. This will help you STAY on tempo and not skip notes.

Also, if breathing is a problem on a really long run, my conductor recommended planning out where you breathe. If you have to, skip a note or two to give yourself a chance to take a breath. Your fellow players will cover the gap, and you will be able to keep up and keep on tempo w/out dying lolz.

As for my experience w/ crazy runs, if anyone knows of Nigel Hess' East Coast Pictures, we played the movement from that called New York this year. Tons of crazy runs, a siren which I had never before encountered, and I had 1st clarinet. Also, my conductor thought it would be fun if we played a little faster than tempo rolleyes sweatdrop