Colonial Airs and Dances
General Info
Year: 1987
Duration: c. 8:45
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Neil A. Kjos Music Co.
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $60.00 | Score Only (print) - $7.00
Movements
1. The Contented Farmer – 1:50
2. The Thirsty Topper – 1:15
3. The Debtor's Welcome – 2:00
4. The King and the Miller – 1 :50
5. Good Advice - 1:45
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
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 I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet/Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bells
- Chimes
- Crash Cymbals
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tam-Tam
- Tom-Tom
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
The five movements of this suite are based on songs from the American colonies written in the 17th century. The melodies have a decidedly English flavor. These settings feature the inherent musical character of each tune rather than the text of the songs for their musical basis. The diverse instrumental color within each movement enhances the contemporary sound of these melodies.
Colonial Airs and Dances was commissioned by the Georgia Music Educators Association in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of their first In-Service Conference. The work was premiered January 24, 1987, performed by the Georgia Intercollegiate Band.
- Program Note from score
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
- Audio CD: University of Texas at El Paso Symphonic Winds (Ron Hufstader, conductor) - 2014
State Ratings
- Arkansas: IV
- Florida: V
- Georgia: V
- Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP II
- Iowa: IV
- Kansas: V
- Louisiana: III
- Louisiana: IV
- Michigan: Senior High AA
- Mississippi: VI-A
- North Carolina: V
- Oklahoma: IV-A
- South Carolina: V
- Tennessee: V
- Texas: III. (movements 1 and 3, plus any other movement)
- Texas: IV. Complete
- Virginia: V
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Michigan State University (East Lansing) Concert Band (David Thornton, conductor) - 16 November 2022
- Pearland (Tx.) Dawson Symphonic Band (Ryan Heath, conductor) – 2013
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Apocalypse (1972)
- Appalachian Carol Festival (1983)
- Blithe Bells (as arranger) (1989)
- Bold Venture (1990)
- Carpathian Sketches (1978)
- Cliff Island Suite (1990)
- Chorale and Toccata (1967/1971)
- Colonial Airs and Dances (1987)
- A Commemorative Suite (1987)
- Concert in the Park (2004)
- Concerto for Band (1981)
- Concerto for Bass Tuba and Concert Band (1981)
- Concerto for Euphonium and Band (1985)
- Concerto for Percussion and Band (1984)
- Concerto No. 2 for Alto Saxophone (1977)
- Courage to Serve March (1971)
- Diamond Variations (1968)
- Eagle Rock Overture (1986)
- Epilogue: "Lest We Forget" (1992)
- Esprit de Corps (1984)
- Eternal Vigilance (2008)
- First Suite for Band (1995)
- Hebraic Rhapsody (2000)
- Heroic Saga (1986)
- Highland Fling (2005)
- In Sunshine and Shadows (2004)
- Japanese Prints (1976)
- Joan of Arc (2008)
- Jubilate (1978)
- The Last Full Measure of Devotion (1995)
- Like a Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire (1997/2013)
- Litany (1981)
- Lord, Guard and Guide (1993)
- March Dramatic (1967/1996)
- March of the Dragonmasters (1984)
- Meditations on an Old Scottish Hymn Tune (1993)
- Mystic Chords of Memory (1999/2001)
- Old Time Spirit (1986/1997)
- Pastorale and Country Dance (1979)
- Potomac Festival Overture (1990)
- Preamble (1975)
- Prelude: Concert Liberte (1976)
- Prelude on an Old Southern Hymn (1983)
- A Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire. See: Like a Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire
- Second Suite (1965)
- Shivaree (1976)
- Sinfonia Hungarica (1998)
- Sinfonia Noblissima (1965)
- Sinfonietta (1973)
- Stars and Bars (1965)
- Suite from "Edvard Munch" (1967/1996)
- Symphony for Band (1965)
- Symphony No. 2 (1976)
- Symphony No. 3 (2003/2018)
- Tableau (1982)
- The Tennessean March (1968)
- Testament (1988)
- Third Suite (1966)
- Three Chinese Miniatures (1993)
- To Music (2003)
- The Tour de Force March (1970)
- Triumph and Tradition (1985)
- Uncommon Valor March (1991)
- Under the Big Top (1987)
- Variants on the Air Force Hymn (2000)
- Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann (1968)
- The Wall (1993)
- The World Turned Upside Down (1983)
Resources
- Jager, R. (1988). Colonial Airs and Dances [score]. Kjos: San Diego, Calif.
- Perusal score
- Robert Jager website Accessed 24 May 2019