?Shepherds? Rocking Carol? is a traditional Czechoslovakian folk tune (?Hajej, nynej, Jezisku?) with lyrics loosely translated by the Anglican clergyman, Percy Dearmer. With Ralph Vaughan Williams, Dearmer was co-editor of The English Hymnal (1906) as well as The Oxford Book of Carols (1928), in which his translation, ?Little Jesus, Sweetly Sleep,? appears with the Czech tune.

This arrangement for young/developing band is an ideal vehicle for the budding oboist, featuring the oboe on melody in the first presentation of the tune and recapitulating at the work?s end. (A clarinet solo / substitute for oboe part is provided.)

Although conservative in range and technical demands, ?Shepherds? Rocking Carol? incorporates a variety of instrumental, dynamic, and harmonic contrasts that make it both simple and elegant, and ideal for developing musicianship in every section of the band.

"Down to the River to Pray" (also known as "Down in the River to Pray," "Down in the Valley to Pray," and "The Good Old Way") is a 19th-century American folk hymn variously attributed as an African-American spiritual/slave song, Appalachian song, and gospel song. In recent years, it was popularized in the 2000 motion picture, "O Brother, Where Art Thou," and by folk/bluegrass performer Alison Kraus.

In this arrangement, the first three presentations, or verses, of the pentatonic tune employ simple, traditional harmony and limited instrumentation, evoking the simplicity of folk-singing style. Verse 4 is characterized by a direct key change up a fourth (from concert Eb to Ab) and more active harmonies. After a short, two-bar modulation up one more step to Bb major, the final verse begins with rising parallel harmonies under the melody in trumpet 1, and continues with more contemporary harmonies. The piece concludes with a simple "Amen"-like ending.

�2019 Todd Marchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com