SKU: CF.SPS82F

ISBN 9781491153277. UPC: 680160910779.

Resignation was composed in memory of one of Ed Kiefer's best friends. Evoking the struggle of coming to grips with the loss of a dear friend, the piece is based on the hymn, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need. It is dramatic, heartfelt, and overwhelmingly beautiful. As Hans Christian Andersen once said, When words fail, music speaks..
Dr. David S. Kirby Commission Consortium Phillip Riggs, Commission CoordinatorNorthwest District Bandmasters AssociationRodney Workman, Past-Chair Andrew Jimeson, ChairWestern North Carolina Bandmasters AssociationAllen Klaes, ChairNorth Carolina School of Science and MathPhillip Riggs, DirectorA.C. Reynolds High School BandSean Smith, DirectorSouth Caldwell High School BandJason Childers, DirectorJay M. Robinson Symphonic BandAndrew Carter, DirectorApex High School BandDaniel Jarvis, DirectorPanther Creek High School BandDavid Robinson, DirectorEastern Randolph High School BandCarolina Perez, DirectorStanley County Concert Band/Pfeiffer University Concert BandCarmella Hedrick, Tim Hedrick and Frank Poolos, DirectorsLenoir Rhyne University Wind SymphonyDr. Daniel Kiser, ConductorDr. Christopher NegrelliNumerous colleagues, fellow teachers, and former studentsProgram NotesThere is no possible way I could compose a piece of music worthy of the memory of my close friend, Dr. David Kirby, who died very suddenly at an early age. Neither could I write a piece that could come close to reflecting his kind spirit, wit, personality or talent. In fact, it was almost impossible for me to write anything at all. My own grief and the stages of my grief kept getting in the way. I ended up with a setting of the hymn-tune, Resignation. Resigned.  To the fact that he is no longer with us. I know he is in a better place, but we are not. We miss him very much. And so, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need seems to speak to those of us he left behind. I apologize if this piece does not reflect your special feelings for him or help you celebrate his moving on. Unfortunately, I could only put down what I have come to accept and hope in some way it may speak to any of you that knew him or to others of you who have also lost a close friend. My Shepherd Will Supply My Need. That is my hope and my hope for you.Although technically very easy, this composition requires a maturity of musicianship to be performed properly. The Bb contrabass clarinet part is integral to the composition, but there are cues in the tuba part if you need them.  Make sure you bring horns to the fore at m. 53 and the low brass at m. 59 so the melody can be heard without effort. Exaggerate dynamics to bring more emotion to the piece. Be careful not to diminuendo too soon near the end or it will be difficult to diminish even further at the very end, where the lone clarinetist holds over a couple of measures, fading into nothing. I hope your students will enjoy this piece and take from it a greater appreciation for the way making music can express feelings.

SKU: BT.CMP-0075-96-010

This Christmas carol of ancient European origin begins O Sanctissima and was intended as a tribute to the virgin Mary. A 19th-century translation by Falk gave us the words O How Joyfully that are typically associated with this carol. In addition to its colorful history, this carol has a very warm and expressive character. In this setting by Alfred Reed, the lilting melody is interwoven with a heroic trumpet counter-melody.

Das Weihnachtslied O du fröhliche ist sehr alt und war ursprünglich einmal ein Lied zu Ehren der Jungfrau Maria. Sein warmherziger und ausdrucksvoller Charakter machen es bis heute zu einem der bekanntesten und beliebtesten Lieder der Weihnachtszeit. Alfred Reed verwob in seiner Bearbeitung die fröhliche Melodie mit einer heroischen Trompeten-Gegenstimme und schuf so einen einfachen, aber wirkungsvollen Programmpunkt für das nächste Weihnachtskonzert.

O du fröhliche (Ô nuit bienveillante) est un des plus célèbres noëls allemands. Sa mélodie s’inspire d’un air traditionnel sicilien qui accompagne la prière O Sanctissima, une prière chantée et dédiée la Vierge Marie. En 1816, Johannes Daniel Falk écrit un texte allemand. C’est désormais sous la forme d’un chant de Noël que la prière effectuera le tour du monde. La version d’Alfred Reed reste fidèle la beauté du thème original.