The Valley of the Dry Bones

Jonathan Bartz

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General Info

Year: 2007
Duration: c. 2:35
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Jonathan Bartz
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - Unknown

Instrumentation

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

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Dr. Timothy Mahr (dir. St. Olaf College Band) approached me my senior year in undergraduate school at St. Olaf College to see if I would write a work for the band’s 2007 domestic tour. I immediately agreed to. At the time I was merely an aspiring film composer with little to no experience actually working with film. As a challenge, I asked Dr. Mahr to present me with a random subject or story for me write music to -- similar to how a film composer would be presented with movie to score.

Enter the Biblical story of the valley of the dry bones. Taken from Ezekiel 37:1-14, the story revolves around Ezekiel’s famous vision and prophecy and God’s subsequent miracle. Ezekiel is visited by God and placed into a dark valley filled with ancient, lifeless bones. God asks Ezekiel, “Can these dry bones live?” In other words, God is asking Ezekiel to confront the spiritual condition of his people. Through ensuing prophecy and the majesty of God, life is breathed into the bones as flesh and blood grow into a grandiose army of people.

I found the story with all of its grandiose and dramatic depictions of prophetic visions offered up great moments for musical interpretation and made for an exciting and illuminating experience writing my first concert band work.

- Program Note by composer

Awards

ASCAP/CBDNA Frederick Fennell Competition, 2008, Honorable Mention

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minn.) Band (Timothy Mahr, conductor) – 21 March 2013 (CBDNA 2013 National Conference, Greensboro, N.C.)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Tall Tales: Pecos Bill (2010)
The Valley of the Dry Bones (2007)

Resources

Jonathan Bartz website Accessed 12 September 2019