Cradle Moon (Band Gr. 2.5)

Cradle Moon is a setting of a lullaby tune that has been passed down through at least five generations of the composer’s family. This lovely piece will take the audience on a journey through serene melody, lush harmony, and weaving countermelodies before ultimately returning to the calm setting of a child drifting off to sleep.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 2.5 | Duration: 3:30

Instrumentation
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
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Euphonium
B-falt Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Timpani (4 drums)
Vibraphone (or Bells)
Marimba [4-oct.](or Vibraphone)
Percussion 1 [2 players]: Wind Chimes, Snare Drum, Bass Drum
Percussion 2: Suspended Cymbal, Triangle]

Program Notes
Cradle Moon was commissioned by the Folly Quarter Middle School Band (MD), Andrew Spang, conductor. It is a setting of a lullaby that has been passed down through at least five generations in my wife's family. Despite significant research into the text and tune, I have not come up with a source for this melody. The piece opens peacefully with the harmonized melody first presented by the clarinets and alto saxophones. After a transitional phrase in the brass, which brings greater harmonic dissonance, the growing intensity releases into a climactic phrase in which Away in a Manger (Trumpet 1) and an ornamented delivery of Amazing Grace (Euphonium, Tenor Sax, Bassoon) encircle our lullaby melody. The music then calms and settles, as a child drifting off to sleep. -C.H.