Eagle Song
(S'pakwus Slulum)
Bob Baker
Ensemble: Concert Band
Grade: 1
Duration: 02:45
Year of Composition: 2018
Commissioned by: WVYB Symphonic Band (Douglas Macaulay, director)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Year of Publication: 2018
Publisher Catalog Number: 04005521
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Publisher, Purchase
Links:
Flute
Oboe (opt.)
Bassoon
B♭ Clarinet 1,2
B♭ Bass Clarinet
E♭ Alto Sax 1,2
B♭ Tenor Sax
E♭ Baritone Sax
B♭ Trumpet 1,2
F Horn (opt.)
Trombone/Baritone
Tuba
Percussion 1
Percussion 2
Mallet Percussion
Timpani (opt.)
Also available in a version for Gr. 1 concert band, as The Gathering of Eagles.
Program Notes:
Music is uniquely human – it is our shared human language. Music can open doors, open minds and allow us to experience the essence of another culture. As work continues toward reconciling the past with the First Peoples of North America, it is also necessary to forge a shared path forward based on our commonalities rather than our differences. Music seems a very good place to start. Efforts are underway to include accurate First Nation’s content in schools and it is important to ask permission from the creators and caretakers of First Nation’s stories, art and music before including or adapting them for the wider community. This publication began as a conversation with Squamish Nation Cultural Adviser and performer, Bob Baker, who generously agreed to share a piece of his aural tradition - a song that he received many years ago. It took time for him to shape "Eagle Song" into the song it has become today, and now he has granted permission for Robert Buckley to expand it into a work for concert band. The result is a remarkably beautiful piece that honours Squamish Nation tradition and allows us all to share a small part of this rich culture. Our hope in commissioning this work is that it will foster a deeper love, respect and understanding for the people and culture of the Squamish Nation (and all First Nations) through shared music.
(Douglas Macaulay, via Robert Buckley)
