Give Thanks

A brass quintet with opt. Trumpet for horn and baritone TC. It begins with fanfare motifs of the tune and then breaks into the hymn adding more parts as it progresses. It continues with a Q&A type of dialog between the lower, then upper voices. The second setion in a different key is reminiscent of the opening only this time in the middle voices and again moves in a Q&A type of dialog. Again modulating to a new key the theme is bounced around with rhythmical interest only to finalize in strong chordal patterns and ending on a bold declamation.

Scored for traditional brass quintet, an optional bartione part can be used to expand the piece to a sextet. After an opening upper brass fanfare, the lower parts present the theme in solemn fashion with further extended fanfares from the upper lines. The middle section reverses the stylistic assignments only to be given back to the opening styles. The with a powerful stacking of parts the piece concludes in a triumphant chord.

Be ye thankful! Written for standard woodwind quintet with optional parts, this piece is highly decorated melodically and active rhythmically. It gives both the sense of majesty and joy.

(opt sextet)