Celestial Ladders (Band Gr. 3.5)

Celestial Ladders moves from the brooding sound terrain of percussion and low register flutes through transformations that climb continually higher and brighter until its shimmering release. While technical challenges are reserved, the music conveys depth of expression.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: Emerald Band Series
Level: 3.5 | Duration: 3:40

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score (8.5"x11" stapled booklet)

Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
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
Euphonium
B-flat Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Timpani (3 drums), Metal Wind Chimes
Glockenspiel
Marimba (4-octave)
Vibraphone
Percussion 1: Tam-Tam, 2 Suspended Cymbals
Percussion 2, Temple Blocks, Mark Tree
Combined Percussion 1 & 2 [optional]: Tam-Tam, 2 Suspended Cymbals, Temple Blocks, Mark Tree

Program Notes
The musical impression of Celestial Ladders unfolds as several broad arches, ever rising in ways that create the sensation of ascent throughout. It it is taken from the first movement of a larger three-movement work titled Lines from Longfellow, shaped in a way that allows it to stand alone. From the initial statements of the percussion and low register flutes, the sound world becomes transformed from rich, dark instrumental hues to lighter sounds and textures that culminate in strong, brilliant energy and release.

The title is drawn from the poem A Gleam of Sunshine by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who today is heralded as one of our most significant nineteenth-century American poets. Overall, his text is contemplative, exploring reminiscence and reflection through sensory triggers such as sight, touch, and sound. At it's midpoint Longfellow draws the reader into the imagery of a Sunday worship service where, “Through the closed blinds the golden sun poured in a dusty beam, like the celestial ladder seen by Jacob in his dream.”

Celestial Ladders was written in celebration of the appearance of the Louisville Winds and their director Nan Moore, at the 2025 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conference, an ensemble dedicated to the pursuit of climbing higher together.