Homestead Suite

Homestead Suite suggests three excursions short distances away from the “old home place”, each expressing a different character – Down the Street, By the River, and At the Fair.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 4 | Duration: 7:30

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat 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
F Horn 3
F Horn 4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
(Baritone T.C.)
Tuba
Piano (optional)

Timpani
Percussion 1 (bells, bongos, snare drum)
Percussion 2 (xylophone, acme siren, suspended cymbal)
Percussion 3 (drum set, triangle, marimba)
Percussion 4 (acme siren, vibraphone, tambourine, triangle, bass drum)

Program Notes
Homestead Suite was commissioned by the Rockingham County Band Directors for their All-County Band, and premiered on February 9, 2012. The piece suggests three excursions short distances away from the “old home place”, each expressing a different character. The first movement, “Down the Street,” begins with a playful tune with a Dixieland feel. It features a combo and should be played in a very relaxed “Dixie-Swing” style. Feel free to have the members of the Dixieland combo stand, and be sure to emphasize the jazz harmonies in the short two-measure saxophone feature.

The second movement, “By the River,” begins with an introduction by the woodwinds and horn, giving way to a brass choir and later the woodwind choir, playing an original tune with a folk/hymn-like quality, full of suspensions and beautiful harmonic movement. The full band joins in with a new countermelody in the upper woodwinds, ending just as quietly as it began.

The third movement, “At the Fair,” begins with an awkward multi meter dance with an obbligato and counter melody added in succeeding statements, leading to a waltz featuring a euphonium solo, accompanied by tuba and horns. The percussion section interrupts before the phrase is complete, with the mallet instruments imitating the sounds of a music box, suggesting an exhausted child sleeping in a stroller while being gently pushed down the midway. The theme is repeated with an enthusiastic counter melody leading to a rousing finish.