Rainbow in the Clouds
General Info
Year: 2017
Duration: c. 3:10
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $95.00; (digital) - $95.00 | Score Only (print) - $12.50
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute
Oboe (optional Flute II)
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano 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
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bells
- Marimba
- Suspended Cymbal
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Wind Chimes
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
This musical work is based on an old traditional spiritual, God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds. The full ensemble introduces the work, then woodwinds and brass take turns presenting the lyric melody. The musical qualities of expression, varied styles, solo passages, key changes, and tempo changes are all included.
- Program Note from publisher
Rainbow in the Clouds was commissioned by the Pflugerville Middle School Wind Ensemble in Pflugerville, Texas, directed by Shauna Satrom. The piece premiered in May 2017, in memory and celebration of Luis Ham, who was an assistant principal at Pflugerville Middle School.
This piece is based on an old traditional spiritual, possibly an African-American song from the 19th century, entitled God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds. The first time I heard reference to this song was in a Maya Angelou video, in which she sings a portion of it: "When it looked like the sun wouldn't shine anymore, Oh, God, put a rainbow in the clouds." In the video, Dr. Angelou honors those who have demonstrated kindness to her in the past, and she suggests that we all try to be a blessing to others. The Pflugerville community believed that Mr. Ham, with his positive outlook, was definitely a "rainbow in the clouds" for others.
- Program Note from score
Media
State Ratings
- Alabama: Class C
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Akron (Ohio) Concert Band (Katherine Reed, conductor) – 14 February 2022
- L. V. Berkner High School (Richardson, Tx.) Symphonic Band I (Jeff Bradford, conductor) - 18 December 2019 (2019 Midwest Clinic)
- Kastner Intermediate School (Fresno, Calif.) Symphonic Band (Joey Neuenshwander, conductor) – 12 April 2019 (2019 San Joaquin Valley (Calif.) Concert Band Invitational)
- Pflugerville Middle School Band (Shauna Satrom, conductor) – May 2017 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Byzantine Dances (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- Carol of the Bells (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1914/2020)
- Rhythmania! (Flex instrumentation) (2020/2021)
All Wind Works
- Alegría (2022)
- All for One, One for All (2019)
- All That We Are (2023)
- Beautiful River (as arranger) (1864/2011)
- The Bold Brigade (2020)
- Bright Light in the World (2022)
- Byzantine Dances (2018)
- Byzantine Dances (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- Carol of the Bells (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1914/2020)
- Cedar Canyon Sketches (2014)
- Clear Creek Canyon
- ConnectUS
- Cruisin' Bluesin' (2016)
- Dances for the Muse, Terpsichore (2022)
- Danza de España (2015)
- Down on the Delta (2022)
- Embark (2022)
- Energy Ball (2022)
- Fandango (2023)
- Fanfare Esprit (2022)
- Fearless (2022)
- The Great Green Kazoo (2019)
- Jumpstart! (2014)
- Kalos Eidos (2020)
- La Terre Sacrée (2021)
- Land of Enchantment (2022)
- March of the Freedom Fighters (2016)
- Moon Song and Tribal Dance (2014)
- Night Fury (2016/2017)
- Noble Procession (2014)
- Pipe and Thistle (2019)
- Rainbow in the Clouds (2017/2018)
- Rhythmania! (2021)
- Rhythmania! (Flex instrumentation) (2020/2021)
- Ridgeview Overture (2020)
- Rock Attack (2015)
- The Rusty Bucket (2015)
- So Wondrous Bright (2015)
- Softly Speaks the Night (2016)
- Song of the Fjords (2021)
- Squirrel Chase (2021)
- Summer Glen (2020)
- Sunchaser (2017)
- Tarantella (2022)
- To Create a Voice (2018)
- Where the Waters Meet (2021)
Resources
- Carol Brittin Chambers, Aspenwood Music Accessed 13 April 2019
- Perusal score