Christmas Intrada, A

From Wind Repertory Project
Alfred Reed

Alfred Reed


General Info

Year: 1980
Duration: c. 9:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $70.00   |   Score Only (print) - $7.50


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes I-II
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Tambor
  • Triangle

Antiphonal Brass (Trumpet I-II-III and Trombone I-II on both left and right sides)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The celebration of the Nativity has called forth countless songs, dances, carols, plays, and combinations of these, involving both vocal and instrumental forces. Throughout the centuries, music for the Nativity has intertwined the feeling of radiant joy and infinite tenderness in many different ways.

A Christmas Intrada represents an attempt to portray, in musical terms alone, five contrasting moods associated with the festivities of the Christmas season. These five sections are played without pause. They are: Fanfare: Christus Natus Est, for brass, chimes, bells and percussion only; Lullaby for the Christ Child played by the woodwind and saxophones; Processional of the Kings and Shepherds played by the full group; Carol for the Holy Night for woodwinds, saxophones and muted brass; and, finally, Wassail and Alleluia beginning with the bells and chimes alone, and gradually growing to include not only the full group but also antiphonal brass choirs, to bring the entire work to a joyous and triumphant conclusion.

A Christmas Intrada was commissioned by the Middle Tennessee State University Band and dedicated to the bands who annually participate in the Contest of Champions, on the occasion of its twentieth anniversary (1981). The first performance took place on that occasion, at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, October 23, 1981, with the U.S. Marine Band, plus antiphonal brass choirs.

- Program Note from Illinois State University Symphonic Band concert program, 1 December 2016


Media


State Ratings

  • Louisiana: IV


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Wisconsin Lutheran College (Milwaukee) Concert Band (Daniel Hubert, conductor) - 8 December 2023
  • Triangle Wind Ensemble (Cary, N.C.) (Evan Feldman, conductor) - 11 December 2022
  • Wisconsin Lutheran College (Milwaukee) Concert Band (Erin Meissner, conductor) – 7 December 2018
  • Prairie Wind Ensemble (East Peoria, Ill.) (Jim Tallman, conductor) – 10 December 2017
  • Lone Star Symphonic Band (Katy, Texas) (Bob Bryant, conductor) – 11 December 2016
  • Illinois State University (Normal) Symphonic Band (Dan Dietrich, conductor) – 1 December 2016
  • Flint (Mich.) Concert Band (Bruce Nieuwenhuis, conductor) - 18 December 2015
  • McMurry University (Abilene, Texas) Wind Ensemble (David Robinson, conductor) – 4 December 2014


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Reed, A. (1980). A Christmas Intrada : For Concert Band/Wind Ensemble and (Opt.) Antiphonal Brass Choirs : 1980 [score]. Piedmont Music: [s.l.].
  • Reed, Alfred. "A Christmas Intrada: Some Seasonal Thoughts...Before the Season!." The School Musician vol. 54, no. 1, August-September 1982, pp. 12-14.