Slavic Celebration - Bill Calhoun

Sleep, My Child

Sleep, My Childis astunning and heart-wrenching composition based on the Jewish folk songShlof, Mayn Kind. Written in memory of an outstanding orchestra conductor, the piece begins longingly with the composer's original material, followed by a clarinet solo of the folk song. A series of harmonic progressions builds to a climactic key change and then concludes with the original material reimagined in a more hopeful tone.

Snallygaster!

Snallygaster! brings to life the spooky creature of American folklore, known for its terrifying features and eerie presence. The piece begins with a dark, minor theme that represents the Snallygaster's approach, followed by dynamic, metallic percussion that mimics its sharp beak and claws. The music evolves through different stages, depicting the creature's terrorizing antics, from flapping wings to the ultimate victory of the Snallygaster. The playful yet ominous character of the piece makes for an engaging performance that will thrill audiences.

Snow

This composition reflects the three phases of a snowstorm: Snow Warning, Snow Fall, and Playing in the Snow. Drawing from the composer's experience in the northern United States, the piece begins with the anxiety of a snowstorm warning, portrayed through clear and rhythmic playing. The second phase represents snowflakes gently falling, with the energy growing without rushing. The final phase captures the joy of playing in the snow after the storm has passed, with a light-hearted, celebratory feeling.

Snow Swirls

Snow Swirls is a depiction of the many scenes of nature that we experience during the winter months. The swirls begin gently at the outset but before we know it, our world is turning white!

Snowflake

Originally written for string orchestra, Snowflake is now rescored for wind band and presents a beautiful, flowing melody that captures the delicate and fleeting nature of a snowflake. The piece features long, lyrical phrases and rich harmonies that should be played with warmth and expression. The primary focus is on creating a singing sound and allowing the music to "breathe," providing a gentle, serene atmosphere throughout.

So Wondrous Bright

Soaring

Soaring is an exciting composition for solo trumpet and concert band. The music is celebratory in nature and features the dynamic and rhythmic range of the trumpet. The piece opens with an American rhythmic gesture reminiscent of Aaron Copland and John Williams. The trumpet answers this gesture with a bold cadenza that will transform into the main melody a little later on in the piece. If you have a good trumpet player, this would be a great choice to feature them or it can be used with a feature soloist from elsewhere. Just gorgeous.

Softly Speaks the Night

Song for Terra

Representing the hope that we can all live with peaceful thoughts, this expressive ballad lets younger ensembles work on the essential skills of legato-style playing, listening across the ensemble, and developing long phrases. Only two and a half minutes long, this composition will present a beautiful musical moment in your concert without tiring younger performers.