Near To The Heart Of God

(std+ opt)(opt quartet) Joy To The World; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlmn; Angels We Have Heard On High; O Little Town Of Bethlehem

A standard brass quintet with optional trumpet for horn. As one might expect the piece is cheerful from beginning to end. It opens with rhythmic patterns where the first statement of the tune is presented by the trombone. The chorus is harmonically in block format where it comes to an end. NOW, something different the second trumpet and tuba present a simple accompaniment while all the other voice, yes voices, sing the words and melody of the song! A brief conclusion, a modulations and the piece returns to the texture of the earlier statement. The a bit of tongue and check statements and a very conclusive ending.

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.

A traditional brass quintet with opt. trumpet for horn and extra baritone for use as a sextet. The introduction uses extraneous material where it leads in the first theme in the French horn, supplemented by trombone counterlines and trumpet flourishes. Thematic movies are then embellished leading up to a modulation where the tempo slows and a new mood encountered. The first trumpet carries the lead and offset with a horn duet line. Another modulation, an a-tempo with the theme in the low brass and accompaniment lines in the middle brass. This continues until the voices stack up until a boisterous conclusion is achieved.

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.