Winter Festival

by
Matthew Donnelly

Ensemble: Concert Band

Grade: 4

Duration: 03:00

Year of Composition: 2021

Publisher: Eighth Note

Year of Publication: 2022

Publisher Catalog Number: CB222446

Available: Yes

How to Acquire: Publisher, Purchase

Links:

Web Page

Sample Audio

Perusal Score 

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flutes 1,2
Oboe
Bassoon
B♭ Clarinets 1,2,3
B♭ Bass 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
Timpani
[Mallet Percussion:] Xylophone, Bells
[Percussion 1:] Snare Drum, Wood Block, Bass Drum
[Percussion 2:] Triangle, Tambourine, Suspended Cymbal


Program Notes:

Winter has always been my favourite season. I grew up in northern Ontario, where it comes early and stays late, but it has always held quite a special place in my life. Over the years, I've noticed that many pieces of music written about winter tended to be (at least to my ears) overly sad and gloomy. I wanted to write a piece that showed my experience, which was quite different. When I was young, there was no better way to spend a winter Saturday than getting outside and enjoying all that the north had to offer. The image that I held onto throughout writing was that of a group of choldren crowded onto a hill with their toboggans and GT Snow Racers on a sunny morning in January. Even though I no longer live up north, I still love getting up early in the winter, especially after a fresh snowfall, and talking a walk while reliving all those fantastic memories.

(Matthew Donnelly via Eighth Note Publications)