Variations On Salzburg (O God Of Bethel)

A woodwind quintet with opt. parts for Alto Sax and Bass Clar. This piece presents itself with a sense of joy throughout with the introduction itself in a motivic manner setting the tone The piece passes through several modulations where the upper voices carry the melodic material while the lower voices support the ensemble with strength. The writing of this arrangement is well crafted to take advantage of the “woodwind quintet sounds.” It continues that way right up to the very end with a declamatory statement of “Mercy.”

A standard brass quintet with optional baritone for a sextet. The introduction starts in the tuba and then adds more voices as you would expect- rising! The tune is now bantered about between the upper voices and then lower ones. Modulation! And the Q&A game continues. Another modulation and the tempo suddenly changes to a slower, expressive one with the French horn featured. As before the Q&A continues. Another modulation and an “a tempo” where the piece now in full ensemble starts lower and softer and continually adds activity and pitch raising until a vigorous conclusion.

(2fl, 2cl+5th pts)

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 by the trombone until the theme is passed around in fragments until the them is taken over by the trumpets, and the trombones. A modulation takes place where the theme is in the trombones with flourishes in the trumpets. The trumpets now take the theme with flourishes in the middle voices until the piece ends with a declamatory statement.

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