Song for Mother Gaia
Frank Duarte (arr. Kaitlin Bove)
General Info
Year: 2019 / 2021
Duration: c. 2:55
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: SATB choir
Publisher: Tolliver Music Company, through Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $80.00
Instrumentation (Flexible)
Full Score
Part 1
- Flute
- Oboe
- B-flat Soprano Clarinet
- E-flat Alto Saxophone
- B-flat Trumpet
Part 2
- Flute
- B-flat Soprano Clarinet
- E-flat Alto Saxophone
- B-flat Trumpet
- Horn in F
Part 3
- Bassoon
- B-flat Tenor Saxophone
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Horn in F
Part 4
- Bassoon
- B-flat Bass Clarinet
- E-flat Baritone Saxophone
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
Timpani (optional)
Percussion (optional), including:
- Chimes
- Crash Cymbals
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
While perusing for a set of poems, I stumbled upon June Night by Sara Teasdale. Like most of Sara’s poetry, this poem has a solemnity to it. Immediately, upon reading her poetry, three words came to mind: solitude, sincerity, and love.
I adapted the poem into the following text:
Oh, Earth you are too dear tonight,
How can I sleep, while all around
Floats rainy fragrance and the far
Deep voice of the ocean that talks to the ground?
Oh Earth, you gave me all I have, I love you, Earth.
This adapted text resulted in Song for Mother Gaia, which is just that -- a song for Earth, showcasing my love for our beautiful planet. I have always loved nature, and part of that love, I believe, comes from the fact that some form of it has always surrounded me. This composition explores many different colors that mimic a beautiful transient moment of daydreaming, appreciating the wonders and beauty of what I call this huge green planet, home.
- Program Note by composer (for choral edition)
Performance Notes
All four flex parts contain two-part divisi (for a total of eight voices in certain moments).
Media
- Video: Mid America Freedom Band (Kansas City, Mo.) (Lee Hartman, conductor) – 2 May 2021 (Virtual)
- Audio: Reference recording. MIDI realization
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Mapleton High School (Denver, Colo.) Wind Ensemble (Mary Kate McNally, conductor) - 16 December 2021
- Eastern Connecticut State University (Willimantic) Concert Band (Kelly Watkins, conductor) - 1 December 2021
- National Concert Band of America (Alexandria, Va.) (Adrian Holton, conductor) - 24 October 2021
- Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College (Michael Michewicz, conductor) - 14 October 2021
- Mid America Freedom Band (Kansas City, Mo.) (Lee Hartman, conductor) – 2 May 2021
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Lisa Tatum, conductor) - 19 April 2021
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Song for Mother Gaia (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Bove) (2019/2021)
All Wind Works
- From Atlanta to the Sea (2015)
- Hymn to the Land of the Rising Sun (2011)
- Song for Mother Gaia (2019/2022)
- Song for Mother Gaia (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Bove) (2019/2021)
- Sunday Funday (2023)
- The Valiant Green Company (2012)
- Zapateando (2022)
Resources
- Creative Repertoire Initiative
- Frank Duarte website Accessed 9 March 2021
- Perusal score