Rain Softly on Me

From Wind Repertory Project
Julie Giroux

Julie Giroux


General Info

Year: 2022
Duration: c. 8:30
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass 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
Harp
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V-VI, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Cymbals
  • Finger Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Vibraphone
  • Wind Chimes


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Rain Softly on Me was commissioned by Jay Gephart and members of the Franz family, in loving memory of Carolyn Franz Gephart. The English horn is a prominent solo instrument in this piece as Carolyn was an oboist, but her passion was playing the English horn.

- Program Note by Jay Gephart


Giroux wrote the following description in her score:

Life takes us on many journeys. Good, bad, and everything in between. To compose music in honor of someone’s life comes with its own journey. The honor, the responsibility, and the soul-searching are always part of the process. When that someone has been taken way before their time, the journey comes with an added element of sorrow. As one who composes strictly from the heart, it is impossible not to reflect on my experiences with death, loss, and acceptance. I will admit, I never accept it. I am just stuck in the sorrow and loss, never moving to whatever the next phase is. That leaves me with only being able to compose the “life” aspect, which is probably for the best. Rain Softly on Me is that celebration of life -- good and bad -- with the only acceptance being the knowledge that, yes, someday, we all die. We celebrate life continuously with love. Love for all life, for the experiences, good and bad, and also the knowledge that the journey on Earth one day ends. It is the acceptance of that knowledge that is best approached with love. Rain Softly on Me reflects on that wondrous journey and the love that defines it. Its ending measures celebrate that grace and beauty, which only love can give us on the day that is our last.

- Program Note from United States Marine Band concert program, 4 March 2022


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources