Shall We Gather At The River

Three Plus Flutes for three soprano with opt. 4th/ob. with alto and bass & piccolo. The piece gins in a spritely duet in the upper voices and reverses roles with the lower voices carrying the melody and duet lines. All four voices now join in a smooth, serene fashion until it gains dynamic and harmonic strength. A modulation upward with the tune in voice two, and an obbligato-like movement in part one, while the lower parts underpin with a simplistic, though active line. In the last section the parts become more active and excitement abounds until a final flourish establishes the end.

Scored for the woodwind section of a concert band arrangement, this Easter celebration is presented with strong traditional thematic statements, all the while being surrounded by exuberant obligati features.