Hennepin County Dawn

From Wind Repertory Project
Samuel Hazo

Samuel Hazo


Subtitle: Shrouds of Snow (1st Movement from "Minnesota Portraits")


General Info

Year: 2008
Duration: c. 3:40
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $75.00; (digital) - $74.99   |   Score Only (digital) - $7.99


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
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-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp (optional)
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This sensitive and beautifully scored work showcases delicate woodwind scoring and poignant melodies along with carefully paced emotional builds and full ensemble chorale-like passages. Mallet percussion colors and shimmering effects lend support in this impressive work.

- Program Note from publisher


Hennepin County Dawn was inspired by my first phone call with my friend Craig Kirchhoff. At the time, Craig had just started as the musical editor for Boosey and Hawkes' new series called Windependence. The band director I had in college, Robert Cameron, had advised me to submit a piece to Craig titled Their Blossoms Down. Having never met Craig before, I didn't know what to expect. I only knew of him through his tremendously impressive musical accomplishments. Additionally, this came at a time when some other publishers had rejected my submissions. Needless to say, I was nervous to even speak with "Dr. Craig Kirchhoff."

After Craig and I began to talk, I felt completely at ease. Furthermore, Craig called me back two days after reviewing the piece I sent him, and he told me to send him everything I had ever written. I couldn't have been more appreciative for his time, gracious manner and the break he gave me in music publishing. I vividly remember that morning in February and I tried to paint a musical picture of what Craig was seeing out of his window in Hennepin County, Minnesota, as we spoke on the phone. I imagined a fresh snowfall, with trees shrouded, and the sun rising slowly above them. I do not know if there is another image that possesses the extremes of fragility and grandeur as much as a fresh snowfall on trees, lit indirectly by a rising sun.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

  • Tennessee: III


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Toronto (Ont., Can.) Youth Symphonic Winds (Dan Horner, conductor) - 1 December 2023
  • Taylor University (Upland, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Christopher Bade, conductor) - 16 November 2023
  • Texas Christian University (Fort Worth) Symphonic Band (Brian Youngblood, conductor) - 6 December 2022


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Hazo, S. (2008). Hennepin County Dawn: (Shrouds of Snow) [score]. Musicworks: Milwaukee, Wisc.