Hymn-Fantasia on “St. Kevin”

A brass sextet with opt. parts for flugelhorn and BHTC. The beginning introduces stacked motives building to full chords. Following is a rendition of “When I Can Read My Title Clear” with melody broken down into fragments passed around to the various instruments. After key changes the quintet presents “I Am Bound For The Promised Land” in much the same fabric of the earlier section. After a brief transition in a new key we find “Just Over In The Glory Land” in a more flowing style than the earlier tunes. The Coda section becomes my rhythmically active where it ends on a solid chord .

The introduction of this brass sextet (3 Trp., 3 Trom.) begins with strong choral movement and then settles into repose. The first presentation of the tune is in the trombones with a subtle counterline in the trumpets which then opens up to a stronger movement with the melody in the trumpet. The tune then reverts back to the trombones and then transitions to a move active support pattern in the trombones with a solo in the second trumpet. The final section gives way to a powerful presentation of the tune and immediately settles into a sensitive climate, much like the beginning. After a DC the piece ends with the strong motifs of the introduction giving a sense of finality. (Opt Horn for 1st Trom.)

The score is set up various woodwinds to supplement the brass arrangement including: “God Of Our Fathers,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and ending with “America.” It captures all the grandeur and majesty one would expect in an arrangement such as this.