Walls of Zion

Greg Danner

General Info

Year: 2000
Duration: c. 6:30
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Daehn Publications
Cost: Score and Parts - $76.00 | Score Only - $8.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
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-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Bells
Crash Cymbals
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Triangle
Wood Block

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The American spiritual tradition has provided the world with many beautiful melodies. Walls of Zion is a free setting of the revival spiritual Zion's Walls. A favorite at camp meetings and revivals during the late 1800s, the melody suggests a noble simplicity coupled with energy and vitality. This setting for band develops the melodic material throughout, with particular emphasis on varied tone colors and instrumental textures.

Walls of Zion is dedicated to the composer's daughter, Katie, whose love of this melody suggested the composition.

- Program Note by composer

The noble simplicity of the revival spiritual Zion's Walls forms the basis for this free symphonic setting. It's beautifully orchestrated, with warm brass chorale moments entwined with spinning woodwind passages. Gorgeous tonal colors and textures abound in this sensitive composition.

- Program Note from publisher

Awards

CBDNA composition contest winner, 1999

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
Audio CD: VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, Ill.) Symphonic Band (John Climer, conductor) – 2000

State Ratings

Alabama: Class A
Florida: IV
Georgia: IV
Louisiana: III
Michigan: Senior High C
Texas: III. Complete
Virginia: IV

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

University of Colorado Boulder Concert Band (Dylan Koester, conductor) – 25 February 2019
University of California, Los Angeles, Symphonic Band (Travis J. Cross, conductor) – 30 May 2018
Truman State University (Kirksville, Mo.) Concert Band (Sarah Wilson, conductor) – 2 May 2018
University of Florida (Gainesville) Symphonic Band (Garrett Griffin, conductor) - 19 April 2018
Michigan State University (East Lansing) Concert Band (David Thornton, conductor) – 1 March 2017
Exeter (Calif.) Union High School Symphonic Band (Kirk Clague, conductor) - 13 March 2016 (2016 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)
Mississippi State University Symphonic Band (Clifton Taylor, conductor.)23 February 2014
University of Texas at Arlington Wind Ensemble (Bill Stowman, conductor) – 21 February 2001 (CBDNA 2001 National Conference, Denton, Tx.)
VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, Ill.) Symphonic Band (John Climer, conductor) – 22 December 2000 (2000 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Dedication March (Flex instrumentation) (2003/2020)
The Water Is Wide (Flex instrumentation) (2006/2020)

All Wind Works

Abaye's Game
Adagio and Caprice
Beautiful River
Ceremonial Dances (2010)
Concerto for Tuba and Band (Danner)
Country Dances (2006)
Critical Speed
Cuico - Concerto for Three Percussion and Wind Ensemble
Dedication (Danner) (2003)
Dedication March (Flex instrumentation) (2003/2020)
Down by the Salley Gardens (2005)
Dream of Light, A
English Suite, An (Danner)
Festival Celebration, A (Danner)
Footprints
Free
I Have a Dream
Mira!
Nebula
New Frontier
Nova Aquilae
Of Thee I Sing
On Great White Wings
Seconds, Please!
Signal
Siyahamba
Sleigh Ride (Danner)
Slide Ride (2006)
Walls of Zion (2000)
Water is Wide (Danner) (2006)
The Water Is Wide (Flex instrumentation) (2006/2020)
Waverider
Zephyr

Resources

Danner, G. (2000). Walls of Zion: For Concert Band [score]. Daehn: New Glaurus, Wisc.
Greg Danner website
Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. 2002. Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. Volume 4. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 402-412.