For brass quintet and optional piano and substitute brass parts. After a brief introduction the theme is presented in an echoing fashion giving a great deal of texture. A modulation takes place and the texture is more block and majestic with rhythmic movements. More modulation occurs and the meter now changes as well and again the melodic material is passed around the ensemble in an almost free form. The coda quickly shifts back to the original meter and the piece becomes quite rhythmic leading up to a final conclusive figure.

These short variations are a lively upbeat rendition on the tune “Truro.” The tune “Truro” first appeared in Psalmodia Evangelica, a two-volume collection of psalm and hymn tunes published in 1789. The tune is named for the city in Cornwall, England with its striking Anglican cathedral. This arrangement is based on these words:

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates,

This popular worship song by the group Elevation Worship topped the charts in 2017 and is still widely sung around the world. The song is something of a modern-day paraphrase of the classic gospel song “Softly and Tenderly, Jesus Is Calling,” and this arrangement interweaves fragments of that melody with the melody of the newer song. The bridge of the song leaves for a moment the invitational quality of the text and breaks into a paean of pure praise – “O what a Savior, isn’t He wonderful? Sing alleluia, Christ is risen!” – making the arrangement particularly useful in the Easter season.

In the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel, we read an amazing story of many people who were physically and mentally ill being brought to Jesus to be healed. This drew the attention of the entire village who came out to witness Jesus and left amazed at what they saw. Covid 19 has caused many to be both physically and mentally ill, requiring healing.

This meditation seeks to portray, through music, this coming to Jesus to be healed, using this hymn by Thomas Moore (1779-1852):

This suite of three movements features popular French Christmas songs. “Il Est Né” (“He Is Born”) tells the story of the Heavenly child being born in a stable. “Patapan,” an older carol, published in 1720, speaks of the shepherds bringing their flutes and drums with them to celebrate the birth of the Savior. The final majestic tune, “March of the Three Kings” (or “Farandole” from Bizet’s L’Arlésienne) paints the picture of the Magi completing the manger scene.