Song for My Children (manuscript)

 

Song for My Children was commissioned by the Northeast Iowa Bandmaster's Association for the 50th Annual Northeast Iowa Bandmaster's Association Honor Band Festival, premiered on December 7, 2013.

 

In 2006, I had the opportunity to write a piece for my wife called Song for Lyndsay. Following my experience with that work, I knew that someday I wanted to write a similar piece for my children. In 2013, I finally got that opportunity when I received the commission from NEIBA.

 

The resulting piece, Song for My Children, bears a strong connection to its predecessor in terms of its overall tone, structure, and even a very intentional use of related pitch material. The piece is not intended to be programmatic in any way, but I must admit that I was heavily influenced by images in my head as I composed.

 

As I wrote, I couldn't help but be filled with memories of holding my babies in my arms, watching them sleep peacefully, wrestling with them in the living room, celebrating on their birthdays and Christmas mornings, and enjoying our cherished vacations on the beach. My children mean the world to me and I treasure every moment I have with them. Ultimately, Song for My Children is just a simple expression of my love for Emily, Noah, Adeline, Ethan, and Claire. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance by the Loyola University Wind Ensemble, Dr. Joseph Hebert, conductor

 

Check out the 2014 Midwest Clinic session presented by Dr. Scott Jones, entitled Inspired by Orpheus: Collaborative Rehearsal and Performance in the Large Ensemble Setting below.  The session featured an inspiring collaborative rehearsal approach by The Ohio State University Symphonic Band.