River Valley Sketches
Matthew Donnelly
Ensemble: Concert Band
Grade: 3.5
Duration: 04:15
Year of Composition: 2013
Publisher: Eighth Note
Year of Publication: 2014
Publisher Catalog Number: CB14264
Available: Yes
How to Acquire: Publisher, Purchase
Links:
Piccolo
Flutes 1,2
Oboe
Bassoon
E♭ Clarinet
B♭ Clarinets 1,2,3
B♭ Bass Clarinet
E♭ Contralto Clarinet
E♭ Alto Saxes 1,2
B♭ Tenor Sax
E♭ Baritone Sax
B♭ Trumpets 1,2,3
F Horns 1,2
Trombones 1,2,3
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Bells
[Percussion 1:] Snare Drum, Low Tom-tom, Bass Drum
[Percussion 2:] Triangle, Mark Tree, Tambourine, Wood Block, Shaker, Suspended Cymbal
Winner of the 2013 Canadian Band Association Composition Competition.
Program Notes:
River Valley Sketches was written as a short musical depiction of the composer's adopted hometown, New Hamburg, Ontario, and more specifically, the river that runs through it. The Nith River flows in southwestern Ontario and is one of the five main tributaries that feed the Grand River. Housed on the Nith is Ontario's largest water wheel, which is located at the main overpass in New Hamburg.
The inspiration for the work came from an early morning walk; crossing over the river at the very same overpass, Matt stopped to take in the quiet beauty of the steady current and soft, constant flow of water. The Nith River's namesake, the Scottish River Nith, also acts as an inspiration, with echoes of Scottish folk music throughout the piece.
The first section is a depiction of the river itself, the second section depicts the sun rising over the winter on a clear winter morning, and the final section is a musical description of the bustling New Hamburg downtown.
(Eighth Note Publications)
