Western Christmas, A

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.

A Brass choir scored for four trumpets (optional horn), two trombones, baritone and tuba. The beginning is stated in the lower voices in a solemn fashion. The theme then presents itself in the upper voices in s straight forward manner followed by a key shift, giving over to a tuba solo with the middle voices supporting it in a flowing fashion. The next section becomes more rhythmic adding more voices for a full sound continuing on with more imitation amongst the voices building more agitation. The ensemble becomes increasingly chordal with some punctuating motives in the lower parts and then settles into a quiet resolve.