Concert Band (optional
solo piano) -
intermediate
SKU:
AI.AMC-WB-003SSC
Composed by Francis
Johnson. Arranged by
Kenneth Amis. Music of
Black Composers and
Artists. Study score
only. Amis Musical Circle
#AMC-WB-003SSC. Published
by Amis Musical Circle
(AI.AMC-WB-003SSC).
8.5 x 11
inches.
The 1818
publication of Francis
Johnson's A Collection of
New Cotillions marks the
first known publication
of original music by a
black composer in the
United States. A prolific
composer,
instrumentalist, teacher
and conductor, Johnson
led a varied and
successful career in an
era in U.S. history that
was not inviting to black
professionals. His
musical interests ranged
from the contemporary
works of Johann Strauss
Jr. to traditional,
popular
dances.
The
cotillion is a French
country dance that was
popular in Europe and
America in the 18th
century. It was
originally danced by four
couples in square
formation and was an
important influence in
the development of the
square dance in the
United States. Francis
Johnson composed two sets
of six piano
accompaniments for this
dance. The original 1818
publication even included
movement instructions for
the eight dancers. The
short and charming
melodies that he composed
are a fitting example of
popular dance music of
the time.
This
transcription may be
performed as a piano
solo, with the piano as a
non-solistic instrument
within the ensemble or
without piano at all. If
it is to be a piano solo,
the other instruments
should not play the
passages marked
“opt. tacet
(optional tacet). If the
piano will not be treated
soloistically, the
conductor can have some
or all of the “opt.
tacet passages played at
their discretion. When
there is no piano
involved in the
performance ,all
instrumentalists should
ignore the “opt.
tacet instruction and
play everything.
Circle Dance
