My Country ‘Tis Of Thee

A quartet for 2 flutes and 2 clarinets with opt. parts for oboe, B. clar., bassoon and Alto sax. After a brief introduction the flutes carry the melodic material and then shifting the chorus to the clarinets. A modulation shifts the attention to the clarinet melody with punctuation remarks in the other instruments. Further transition moves to another modulation where thematic motifs are passed around in a fughetta fashion where it then becomes more choral in nature ending in a solemn statement.

Scored for Saxophone quartet (A-A-T-B) with opt. Soprano for first Alto. The introduction starts with the First Alto playing a melodic motif, ever rising to a climatic point and then settling down to the theme- first presented in the First and Tenor parts weaving in and out producing a flowing texture, then joined by the Second Alto and eventually the Baritone. The chorus section of the hymn is a constant weaving of the four parts both harmonically and rhythmically. The next section becomes more active rhythmically adding tension until it settles down into a sweet aura of sound with gentle nudges of harmonic alteration. The final measures give an atmosphere of rest and solace.