Nettleton

From Wind Repertory Project
Johnnie Vinson

Traditional hymn arranged by Johnnie Vinson


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Subtitle: Based on an Early American Hymn Tune


General Info

Year: 2008
Duration: c. 3:55
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts - $60.00   |   Score Only - $5.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
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
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III

(percussion detail desired)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Most widely known as Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, the early American hymn tune Nettleton is creatively arranged in this beautiful setting. Using the horns as a focal point for the first section and followed by a lyric portion scored for woodwinds, this work also includes nicely orchestrated sections for brass as well as effectively written dynamic nuances.

- Program Note from publisher


Commissioned by and dedicated to the Thompson Middle School Band, Alabaster, Ala., Connie and Tim Hammond, directors.

- Program Note from score


This is a beautifully scored and attractive setting of the American hymn tune. It opens with an introduction featuring parts of the tune, leading to a first statement of the melody in the horns, with the concluding phrase in tutti scoring. The next setting is in upper woodwinds with brass accompaniment. A short contrasting passage using materials from the introduction follows. The next setting features solo oboe with clarinet choir accompaniment, followed by woodwind choir in the closing phrase. The concluding coda uses the opening phrase with a slow tag.

- Program Note from Music for Concert Band


Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing is a Christian hymn written in 1757 by pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson. In the United States the hymn is usually set to an American folk tune, Nettleton, composed by printer John Wyeth or possibly Asahel Nettleton. More recently it has appeared as a partial or full quotation in works by the composer Charles Ives, including his First String Quartet and the song The Innate.

Nettleton is here arranged in a unique setting for concert band by Johnnie Vinson. The horns are featured in the first part, followed by a lyrical section for woodwinds. The work is scored to capitalize on a full brass section, benefiting from nuanced dynamics and careful writing.

- Program Note from The Virginia Wind Symphony concert program, 21 December 2017


The tune upon which this arrangement is based first appeared in print under the title Hallelujah in John Wyeth's (1770-1858) Repository of Sacred Songs, Part Second, published in 1813.

The composer of the tune, Asahel Nettleton, was a significant figure in the history of revival meetings in the early nineteenth century. The years from 1812-1822 could be conisdered the years of revival for Nettleton.

- Program Note from Teaching Music through Performance in Band


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class C
  • Florida: III


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Messiah University (Mechanicsburg, Penn.) Symphonic Winds (Travis Weller conductor) - 22 September 2023
  • Catskill Valley (Oneonta, N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Paul Durgala, conductor) - 1 May 2022
  • Boardman High School (Youngstown, Ohio) Symphonic Band (Michael Shevock, conductor) - 2 May 2018
  • Virginia Wind Symphony (Norfolk) (Dennis J. Zeisler, conductor) - 21 December 2017 (2017 Midwest Clinic)
  • Messiah College (Mechanicsburg, Penn.) Symphonic Winds (Travis Weller, conductor) - 3 November 2017
  • Thomas Middle School (Arlington Heights, Ill.) (Candace Horton, conductor) – 28 April 2016
  • Lake Gibson Middle School (Lakeland, Fla.) Symphonic Band 31 March 2012


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Burrack, Frederick. "Nettleton." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 12, Compiled and edited by Andrew Trachsel, 244-250. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2021.
  • Krienes, J.; Hansbrough, R. (2014). Music for Concert Band: A Selective Annotated Guide to Band Literature. Meredith Music Publications: Delray Beach, Fla.; pp. 38.
  • Pease, Andy. "Nettleton arranged by Johnnie Vinson." Wind Band Literature, 23 November 2021. Web. Accessed 23 November 2021
  • Vinson, J. (2008). Nettleton [score]. Musicworks: Milwaukee, Wisc.