Second American Folk Rhapsody

From Wind Repertory Project
Clare Grundman

Clare Grundman


This work may also appear under the title American Folk Rhapsody No. 2; QMB Journal 243.


General Info

Year: 1959
Duration: c. 4:55
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts - $85.00   |   Score Only - $11.95


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This year [2013], we honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of America’s most prolific composers and arrangers, Clare Grundman. Over a five-decade composing career, Grundman provided countless bands with music combining substance, playability, and audience appeal. Many of his most enduring works use American folk materials, including his four American Folk Rhapsodies.

Grundman’s Second American Folk Rhapsody opens with a fanfare quoting Skip to My Lou, followed by a leisurely transition into Billy Boy in a waltz style. Skip to My Lou runs through several variations before entering into a regal, march-like introduction of Shenandoah. After the short march, Grundman’s rhapsodic writing returns and interweaves Skip to My Lou with Shenandoah, featuring beautiful melodic timbres and lush alto saxophone/horn counter lines. The piece closes with a broad restatement of Billy Boy in 4/4 and a maestoso climax.

- Program Note by the Creekside Middle School Wind Symphony concert program, 20 December 2013


Dedicated to Manley Whitcomb and the Florida State University Band, this rhapsody was composed in 1959. American folk tunes included are Billy Boy, Skip to My Lou, and Shenandoah. The form generally followed is that of a short introduction, statement of the folk tunes with variations, and a short but stately coda.

- Program Note by Program Notes for Band


Media

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


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class B
  • Arkansas: III
  • Florida: IV
  • Georgia: IV
  • Iowa: III
  • Louisiana: III
  • Massachusetts: III
  • Minnesota: II
  • Mississippi: IV-A
  • North Carolina: IV
  • Oklahoma: III-A
  • South Carolina: IV
  • Tennessee: III. Complete
  • Texas: III. Complete
  • Virginia: III
  • Wisconsin: B


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti) Campus Band (Johnathan Bower, conductor) - 6 March 2023
  • Bemidji (Minn.) Area Community Band (Ryan Webber, conductor) - 3 July 2022
  • Sturgis (Mich.) Wind Symphony (R. Scott Davidson, conductor) - 1 May 2022
  • Tyler (Tx.) Junior College Symphonic Band (Eddie W. Airheart, conductor) - 14 April 2022
  • Stephen F. Austin University (Nacogdoches, Tx.) University Band (Tamey Anglley, conductor) - 25 April 2021
  • Butler University (Indianapolis, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Michael Colburn, conductor) – 17 October 2018
  • St. Helens (Ore.) High School Wind Ensemble (Noelle Freshner, conductor) - 11 May 2018
  • Cleveland Winds (Cleveland, Ohio) (Birch Browning, conductor) – 22 April 2018
  • Eldred (N.Y.) Central Senior High School Concert Band (Brian D. Nivison, conductor) - 8 June 2017
  • Northshore Concert Band (Evanston, Ill.) (Mallory Thompson, conductor) - 12 February 2017
  • New Diana (Texas) High School Band (David Rollins, conductor) - 12 February 2016 (2016 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
  • Belleville (Ill.) Community Band (Kerry Welker, conductor) – 9 December 2015
  • Creekside Middle School (Carmel, Ind.) Wind Symphony (Wendy Higdon, conductor) – 20 December 2013 (2013 Midwest Clinic)
  • Magee Wind Ensemble (Vancouver, BC) (Christopher Haas, conductor) - 4 April 2012


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

  • Kentucky 1800 (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Longfield) (1954/2006/2017)


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Grundman, C. (1959). Second American Folk Rhapsody [score]. Boosey & Hawkes: [New York].
  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 255-256.