In Praise of Gentle Pioneers

David Holsinger

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General Info

Year: 1996
Duration: c. 5:00
Difficulty: II-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: TRN Music Publishers
Cost: Score and Parts - $65.00 | Score Only - $10.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone (div.)
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet
Horn in F
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion I-II-III-IV

(percussion detail desired)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The Holsinger family farm, good, rich, farmland on the Missouri River bottoms, in north central Missouri was homesteaded by my great grandfather in 1840. And since his death in the 1890s, my grandfather and father, both only sons like myself, farmed the same land continually. Only a few years ago, one of the pastures was plowed under to extend acreage for planting. It is remarkable to imagine in this day and age, with all the centuries that have passed, that that particular piece of earth was being tilled for the very first time ever! It is the bond with that strong earth that has nurtured an even stronger sense of heritage in our family.

With the passing of my father in 1995, I had opportunity to reflect upon the pioneers of my family. My father, and my grandfather before him, were men strong in resolve and perseverance, yet humble and gentle with the land on which they lived. They each were men of Christian faith and love ... rugged men who daily battled the frustration of nature's fickleness, yet always willing to put aside the time needed to nurture the family. And that is the reason for this tribute.

- Program Note by composer

Media

Audio: Reference recording. University of North Texas Symphonic Band (Dennis Fisher, conductor)

State Ratings

Alabama: Class BB
Georgia: III
Indiana: IISSMA JH/MS/ELEM BAND GROUP I
Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP III
Kansas: II
Louisiana: II
Michigan: Senior High D
Mississippi: IV-A
North Carolina: IV
South Carolina: III
Virginia: IV
West Virginia: III

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Lee University (Cleveland, Tenn.) Wind Ensemble (David Holsinger, conductor) - 13 April 2021
East Chapel Hill (N.C.) Symphonic Band (Ryan E. Ellefsen, conductor) - 25 October 2015

Works for Winds by This Composer

Abram’s Pursuit (1998)
Adagio (2000)
The Adventures of Kid Cam, the Rocketman! (2014)
American Faces (1996)
Ancient Dances (2020)
The Armies of the Omnipresent Otserf (1981)
Army Ants March and Boogie (2005)
At the Strongholds of En Gedi (1996)
Ballet Exaltare (1999)
Ballet Sacra (1990)
Battle Music (1990)
A Call to Celebration (2012)
Canticles! (2001)
The Case of the Mysterious Stranger (1990)
The Chase (2003)
A Childhood Hymn (as arranger) (1862/1991)
City Symphony
- Cityscape I (Festive Hours Neon Night) (2001)
- Cityscape II (Lonely Hours Anguished Night) (2004)
- Cityscape III (Morning Hours Salvation Light) (2008)
The Cluster Bluster Fluster March (1991)
Connacht Rhapsody (2017)
Consider the Uncommon Man (1992)
Deborah's Triumph/Jael's Revenge (2016)
Deerpath Dances (1996)
Divertimented Dances (2006)
The Easter Symphony (1986-1997)
Elegy on an American Folk Tune (2006)
Elegy on an Evening Hymn (2013)
Every Morning New (2002)
Falcon Attack! (2002)
Fanfare for Brass and Timpani (2003)
Fanfare for Such a Time as This (2007)
Fanfare for the Glorious Naycart (2001)
Fantasy on a Gaelic Hymnsong (1999)
Fantasy on Old Hundred (2019)
Festiva Jubiloso (2000)
Festival Music for a Silver Celebration
Fort Canterbury March (1989)
The Gathering of the Ranks at Hebron (1988)
Gears Pulleys Chains (2006)
Gmyway’s Revenge! (1994)
Graysondance (1993)
Gypsydance (1994)
Havendance (1985)
The Helm Toccata (1991)
Hero Music (2005)
Homage: Three Tapestries (1999)
Hopak Raskolniki (1980)
If You Must Doodle, Doodle Somewhere Else (1990)
In Praise of Gentle Pioneers (1996)
In the Spring at the Time When Kings Go Off to War (1991)
A Jolly Walk in Hibbertland (1991)
Kaylen Dreaming (2006)
Kansas City Dances (1978)
L'Arco della Vita (2021)
Lake Canterbury Regatta (1993)
Last Run (2020)
A Little Adventure Music (2002)
Little Fantasy on an American Hymn (2009)
A Little Mystery Music (1996)
Liturgical Dances (1984)
The Maelstrom (2009)
The March of the Combat Patrol (1991)
March of the Grand High Poobah (2006)
March on a Russian Hymnsong (2003)
Mobbusters! (1994)
Nilesdance (1987)
On a Childhood Sunday Song (2004)
On a Hymnsong of Lowell Mason (1990)
On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss (1989)
On a Hymnsong of Robert Lowry (1993)
On a Southern Hymnsong (1993)
On an American Spiritual (1991)
On Ancient Hymns and Festal Dances (1988)
On the Cul-de-sac, Three O’clock, Friday Afternoon (1999)
On the Grand Prairie Texas (1989)
On the Overland Stage to El Paso (2006)
One Day in a Small Town (2004)
Otserf II : Revenge of the Warrior Prince (2009)
Partita Allegro (1997)
The Peasant Village Dance (1990)
Praises! (2001)
Prairie Dances (1998)
Prelude and Presto (2018)
Prelude and Rondo (1976)
The Pride of Buxmont (2000)
Providence Unfinished (2002)
Quiet River (2011)
Reagan of Illinois (2011)
Reagan of Illinois Part II (2013)
Riding With the Frontier Battalion (2000)
Scaling the North Wall (1990)
Scootin’ on Hardrock (1999)
Scrappy Bumptoe’s Picture Cards and Ragtag Diary (1981)
Sinfonia Voci (1993)
Solemn Hymn & Rowdy Dance (2010)
Soliloquy (2020)
Some Give All (2016)
A Song of Moses (1999)
Summer to Fall: A Love Song (2006)
Symphonia Glorioso (2006)
Symphonic Movement (2000)
Texas Promenade (1999
Til His Hand Grew Tired and Froze to the Sword (2004)
To Live a Life Triumphant (2007)
To Tame the Perilous Skies (1990)
Von Grrrhart’s 613th Regimental March (1994)
The War Trilogy: 1971 (1999)
The White Rose (as arranger) (1917/)
Zinphonia (2017)

Resources

David Holsinger website Accessed 29 August 2021
Holsinger, D. (1996). In Praise of Gentle Pioneers [score]. TRN Music Publisher: Alto, N.M.