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Hymn for the Innocent

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Julie Giroux

Julie Giroux


General Info

Year: 2016
Duration: c. 6:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Musica Propria
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $100.00   |   Score Only (print) - $18.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass 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-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Orchestra Chimes
  • Tubular Bells
  • Vibraphone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This letter from myself to Colonel Larry Lang following receiving his recording with The United States Air Force Band best describes this piece, certainly better than any program notes I could write. The focus of the letter and the hymn are the same. Whom we love and lose are what defines us as human beings. The relationships we have with each other are our greatest strength. The ability to mourn and grieve, not alone but with others, is the greatest gift of healing we have. Music grieves, it mourns and it heals.

Larry,

Thank you so much for the perfect recording. I will admit I can barely listen to it. So much pain, so much loss in a country, in families, in ourselves; to have it culminate into its own music -- its own voice -- is almost unbearable. Many times right after I mailed it to you I felt great dread and fear: fear that it wasn't what I thought it was, that my emotions had gotten the better of me, and as always, the fear of rejection or of being misunderstood. My one consolation was that I did not - and still do not think I had much at all to do with its conception. It came to me finished, every melody, counter, structure and dissonance pounding on me to be put on paper right then so it could continue its journey free again of earthly manipulation; free to mourn and love.

I am truly grateful it picked me for its dictation source, but I am also so very thankful that you were put in my life, you and every member of your wonderfully gifted United States Air Force Band. Thank you, Larry, for also helping this work find its true voice, its perfect voice. Please thank your band members for this gift. I will be forever thankful.

With my deepest gratitude, Julie

- Program Note by composer


Giroux writes about the work:

Hymn for the Innocent is a tribute to all the innocent lives that are lost, whether by accident, disease or acts of violence. It also includes all those who serve, here and abroad, military and domestic, who have sworn to protect the innocent and have lost their lives or lead a handicapped life as a result of this service. What has been lost by their passing is an infinite list of possibilities. What they could have been, could have accomplished or achieved and the holes left in all the lives they touched and would have affected surely is a sorrow above all sorrows. Loss is never easy, but when loved ones are taken before their time the loss and grief seem to be compounded — this hymn is for them. My prayers will always include them. This hymn is for the survivors as well. My hope is that this music, this hymn can be a part of a healing process for some listener out there. Grief never goes away, but music can be an instrument that can help you live with it.

- Program Note by Rich Pauch for the Wheaton Municipal Band concert program, 21 December 2017


Media


State Ratings

  • Texas: IV. Complete


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • United States Military Academy (West Point, N.Y.) Band (Alexandra Borza, conductor) - 15 April 2023
  • Oregon Symphonic Band (Portland) (Michael Burch-Pesses, conductor) – 7 May 2022 (ACB 2022 Annual Convention (Santa Fe, New Mexico))
  • Appalachian State University (Boone, N.C.) Symphony Band (John Stanley Ross, conductor) - 23 February 2022
  • Penn State University (University Park) Concert Band (Robert Hickey, conductor) - 27 April 2021
  • New Jersey City University (Jersey City) Symphony of Winds and Percussion (Patrick J. Burns, conductor) – 21 April 2020 (scheduled, but concert canceled)
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Concert Band (Jochen McEvoy, conductor) – 2 October 2019
  • San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Wind Orchestra (Jennifer Martin, conductor) – 2 June 2019
  • University of Texas-El Paso Wind Symphony (Dennis Fisher, conductor) - 7 March 2019 (84th Annual ABA National Convention)
  • State University of New York, Fredonia, All College Band (Carrie Pawelski, conductor) – 27 February 2019
  • San Luis Obispo County (Calif.) High School Honor Band]] (Jennifer Martin, conductor) – 13 February 2019
  • Texas A&M (College Station) Symphonic Band (Russell Tiptony, conductor) – 7 October 2018
  • Maryland Winds (Columbia) (Timothy Holtan, conductor) - 8 April 2018
  • University of Nebraska (Lincoln) Symphonic Band (Anthony Falcone, conductor) – 6 March 2018
  • Henderson State University (Arkadelphia, Ark.) Wind Ensemble (Steven M. Knight, conductor) – 1 March 2018
  • Lone Star Wind Orchestra (Dallas, Tx.) (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) – 8 February 2018
  • United States Air Force Band (Washington, D.C.) (Larry H. Lang, conductor) – 3 February 2018
  • Wheaton (Ill.) Municipal Band (Ray E. Cramer, conductor) - 21 December 2017 (2017 Midwest Clinic)
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Concert Band and Campus Band (Simon Holoweiko, conductor) – 12 October 2017


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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