Crossing (Band Gr. 4)

Some say that when a pet is at the end of their life, they are crossing the rainbow bridge. Crossing aims to capture this belief through moments of joy and heartache, eventually finding peace. This work will surely evoke an emotional response to anyone who has lost a loved one.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: Ruby Band Series
Level: 4 | Duration: 5:15

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score

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
B-flat Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Timpani [4 drums]
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Bass Drum
Percussion 2: Mark Tree, Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal

Program Notes
When my wife and I first got married, we got our first dog, a yellow lab puppy. During the life of this dog, Boone, we also acquired two more dogs and an outdoor cat. In the last few years of Boone’s life, the other two dogs and cat passed away, but Boone continued to keep on going! In December of 2021, it was finally time to let him go. There's a saying about animals that once they pass away, they're crossing the Rainbow Bridge, and that's how they find their owners again in the afterlife. The place on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge is a wonderful, peaceful place. When we were saying goodbye to Boone, I had this melody enter my mind (which is expressed in the oboe in this piece). I dedicate Crossing to our sweet yellow lab, Boone, in his memory.

– B.W.T.