Hosannas

Wind Ensemble
2015
30 min.

Grade 5

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University of Miami

II.

III. Chorale – O Sacred Head Now Wounded

IV.

V. Chorale

VI.

VII. A Litany for Courage and the Seasons

University of Miami, Frost Wind Ensemble, Gary D. Green, cond.
Premiere Performance

Preview Score

Instrumentation

Solo Tenor Voice, Solo B♭Cl, Solo Vib | Picc Fl-2 Ob-2 E♭Cl B♭Cl-3 BCl CbCl Bsn-2 Cbsn SSx ASx-2 TSx BSx | Hn-4 Tpt-3 Tbn-2 BTbn Euph Tuba DBass | Pno Timp Perc-5

Details

Piccolo
Flute (2)
Oboe (2)
Clarinet in E♭
Clarinet in B♭ (3)
Bass Clarinet in B♭
Contrabass Clarinet in B♭
Bassoon (2)
Contrabassoon
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone (2)
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Horn in F (4)
Trumpet in B♭ (3)
- 1 dbl. Picc. Tpt., Fugelhorn
Trombone (2)
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Double Bass
Piano
Solo Tenor Voice (final movement)
Required Percussion (5 players)
- Vibraphone
- Anvil
- Marimba
- Glockenspiel
- Crotales
- Xylaphone
- Suspended Cymbal (sm and lg)
- Bass Drum
- Snare Drum
- Tom-tom (med)
- Crash Cymbals
- Tam-tam

About part assignments

For wind ensembles and concertos, please use one player per part. For symphonies and concert pieces, more players may be used as desired. David’s full statement.

Commissioned by

Consortium organized by Timothy Shade and consisting of the following members:

Details

Dr. Brent Alston, Director of Bands, Florida International University
Dr. Dan Belongia, Associate Director of Bands, Illinois State University
Mr. John Bixby, Director of Bands, Miami Killian High School
Dr. David Booth, Director of Bands, Wright State University
Dr. Rob Carnochan, Associate Director of Bands, University of Texas
Dr Chris Cicconi, Director of Bands, The Pinecrest School
Mr. Tim Conner, Lecturer of Trombone, University of Miami (FL)
Mr. Charles Damon
Mr. Steve Danyew
Dr. Lauren Denney-Wright, Director of Wind Ensemble, Berry College
Dr. Margaret Donaghue-Flavin, Associate Professor of Clarinet, University of Miami (FL)
Ms. Elizabeth Elliott, Director of Bands, Made Christian School
Florida Bandmasters Association, Mr. Neil Jenkins, Executive Director
Dr. Michael Flynn, Director of Bands, Youngstown (OH) State University
The Greater Miami Symphonic Band
Dr. Michael Hancock, Assistant Director of Bands, University of Oklahoma
Ms. Trudy Kane, Associate Professor of Flute, University of Miami (FL)
Dr. Thomas Keck, Associate Director of Bands, Ball State University
Mr. Jeffrey Lawson, Director of Bands, Hollywood Hills (FL) High School
Dr. Charlie Menghini, Director of Bands, VanderCook College
Dr. Jamie Nix, Director of Wind Ensemble Activities, Columbus State (GA) University
Dr. Doug Phillips, Director of Bands, Stetson University
Ms. Lisa Preston
Dr. David Ragsdale, Director of Bands, University of Alabama-Huntsville
Dr. Catherine Rand, Director of Bands, University of Southern Mississippi
Mr. Steve Rivero, Director of Bands, Flanagan High School
Dr. Michael Robinson, Director of Athletic Bands, University of Georgia
Mr. Timothy Shade, Director of Instrumental Music, Bethel College (KS)
Mr. Rick Todd, Associate Professor of Horn, University of Miami (FL)
Ms. Angelyn Traylor
Mr. Dale Underwood, Lecturer of Saxophone, University of Miami (FL)
Dr. Shawn Vondran, Associate Director of Bands, Northwestern University
Dr. William Wakefield, Director of Bands, University of Oklahoma

Premiere

26 April by the Frost Wind Ensemble, Gary D. Green, conductor, Tony Boutte, Tenor. University of Miami.

Downloads

Tenor with Piano Reduction (PDF)

Program Note

Hosanna – a shout of praise.

The psychologist Carl Jung has described the first half of life as devoted to the establishment of self and of place in the world, and the second half as the journey towards God. Once past the age of 70, which Gary and I both are, this focus becomes intent. With it comes an attitude of surprise, acceptance and praise – the shout of praise – for all that is. Everything is divine, and it is our clear, sharp intention to bring this understanding to the generations coming up behind us. It is my pleasure and honor to offer this music to my friend, Gary Green, as he moves onward in his music making, teaching, and mentoring – his service to the world.

This music shows once again my long-time engagement with J.S. Bach’s 371 Four-Part Chorales. I have been singing these pieces almost daily for nearly 25 years, and composing my own chorales in the old style. The practice has become an ever deepening meditative prayer. The melodies and titles are certainly Christian in origin, yet I have come to see and feel them as a deep expression of a common humanity, transcending origin and label. Their attitudes in this composition are centered and quiet, opening the space for self reflection and the voice of praise.

Chorale melodies are the basis for the first, third, and fifth movements:

You are three in one
O Sacred Head now wounded
Jesus, You, who have rescued my soul

The final movement of Hosannas is a transcription of my 1988 composition A Litany for Courage and the Seasons. The original was for SATB chorus, clarinet, and vibraphone. The poem is by my long-time friend, Richard Beale.

A Litany for Courage and the Seasons
- May the apple blossoms flower on my birthday.
- May my heart be calmed if it snows on the jonquils.
- May the Fall not come too soon,
- And if it does may the maples splash enough color
- To seem warm, not cold.
- May I be thankful on Thanksgiving
- Even though I might not remember what for
- And Joyful at Christmas for the same reason.
- I am not sure that by myself
- I would pray for all these things.
- But if I did not pray
- Not even knowing what I pray to,
- I would lose my reason.
- May God come and stay in my heart
- Through the round of seasons.
- May God make me love each season more
- Though none are new.
- And if I should die before
- The birds come back from the South
- May my spirit be waiting for them in the trees