American Folk Hymn Rhapsody (Band Gr. 4)

American Folk Hymn Rhapsody cleverly combines three popular folk hymns – Cleansing Fountain, New Britain (Amazing Grace), and Come Thou Fount – set in an Americana style, merging Docter’s original voice and hints of Copland.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: Ruby Band Series
Level: 4 | Duration: 6:45

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Timpani [4 drums]
Percussion 1: Glockenspiel, Chimes
Percussion 2: Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Woodblock
Percussion 3: Bass Drum

Program Notes
This piece is a rhapsody on three American folk hymns: Cleansing Fountain, New Britain (also known as Amazing Grace), and Come Though Fount. Since the music for these three hymns are of early American origin, I decided to write this piece in an Americana style. The piece opens with a broad theme in the trumpets. This four-note phrase serves as a motto theme. It appears throughout the piece, usually to signal a change in mood. After this opening motto theme, there is a slow atmospheric setting of Cleansing Fountain which eventually gives way to a fast Copland-esque section. Allusions to Cleansing Fountain are heard throughout this section until the momentum dies and the motto theme returns. After the motto theme, a slow section begins which leads into a lyrical setting of New Britain “Amazing Grace.” After this setting, the motto theme returns for a third time signaling the start of the final section, a setting of Come Thou Fount. This final setting is a processional which gradually builds in strength until the fast Copland-esque section returns as a fiery coda. One last statement of the motto theme closes the piece, marking an inevitable conclusion for this new work for band.
– Z.D.