HAJJ
The title is intentionally written in all caps: HAJJ
General Info
Year: 2000
Duration: c. 8:15
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Stormworld
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $125.00; (digital) - $110.00 | Score Only (print) - $40.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (amplified)
PAD Bass
Chorus (synth)
Piano/Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Chinese Bell Splash/Ride Cymbal
- Claves
- Congas (or Bongos)
- Crash Cymbals
- Finger Cymbals
- Orchestra Chimes
- Shakers
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tambourine
- Tam-Tam (large)
- Triangle
- Wind Chimes
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God (Allah). Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and of supporting their family during their absence from home.
- Program Note adapted from Wikipedia
I write this piece in the final year of the second millennium. Nomadic by process of following the heart, I have come to know that all of life is a pilgrimage... all of the time. Completed on 24 July 2000, the 50th anniversary of NASA’s first rocket launch, the beginning of man’s noble pilgrimage into space, it is offered as a tribute to the faithful who each year make the Hajj... and to all those who make each day a new step in life’s journey.
I wanted to compose a piece that would capture the spirit of adventure and unceasing climb. HAJJ is not offered as a serious embodiment of the religious love which compels the many millions of Islam’s believers... though indeed it is offered to them with great respect. In fact, another piece with that sentiment may one day come to be. Instead, it is about the journey itself... the moment before the real prayer begins. It is fraught with intrigue, and sidetracked adventure, moments of introspection and exuberant dance! It suggests something more global, more akin to all of our Natures. We are, it seems, always involved in a going forth.
- Program Note by composer
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. Rundfunk Blasorchester Leipzig
- Audio CD: Grove City High School Symphonic Band (George Edge, conductor) – 2002
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Tata Steel Symfonisch Blaasorkest (Goudsmidsstraat, Neth.) (Hennie Ramaekers, conductor) – 24 October 2010
- Grove City (Ohio) High School Symphonic Band (George Edge, conductor) – 20 December 2002 (2002 Midwest Clinic)
Works for Winds by this Composer
- America the Brave (1981)
- Aurora (1998)
- Ben Hur (as arranger) (1959/2008)
- Concerto for Violin and Band (2000)
- David (1995)
- The Defenders of Truefire! (1996)
- Escape from Plato's Cave (1993)
- Festival of Light! (1995)
- Finest Hour! (2000)
- Forbidden Fortress (1997)
- Giving!
- Godspeed! (1997)
- HAJJ (2000)
- Honor, Courage...Commitment (1996/1998)
- I Shall Hear in Heaven
- In a Cause Called "Glorious" (2001)
- In the Beginning (1992)
- Millennium (1997)
- O Come Holy Night! (1993)
- Once More Unto the Breach (2004)
- The Shoemaker (1999/2006)
- The Speech of Angels (1998)
- Stormworks
- Three Musical Haikus for Band (1984)
- Time to Take Back the Knights! (1999)
- Triumph at CHO-SIN! (1996)
- Under the Cover of Night ... Into the Light of Day! (1993)
- The Universe Below
- A Walk in Jurassic Park. See: In the Beginning
- Without Warning (1996)
- WU (2008)
Resources
- Hajj. Wikipedia Accessed 17 June 2022
- Stephen Melillo website – Accessed 17 June 2022