Cowboy Life, A

From Wind Repertory Project
Murray Houllif

Murray Houllif


General Info

Year: 2001 / 2004
Duration: c. 4:05
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $55.00   |   Score Only (print) - $10.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute (Piccolo)
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Claves
  • Cowbell
  • Maracas
  • Snare Drum
  • Tom-Tom, high and low


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Depicting a day in the life of an American cowboy, A Cowboy Life was influenced by Aaron Copland's wonderful music. This piece includes a short duet for alto sax and clarinet, as well as exciting percussion parts.

- Program Note from publisher


A Cowboy Life was composed in 2001 or the Smithtown (New York) Middle School Band. The inspiration for the work came from Crossfire Trail, the 2001 motion picture starring Tom Selleck.

The piece portrays several elements one would find in the Old West. The work depicts wide-open spaces, an impression of a cow town, the rugged American cowboy galloping across the open range, and the cowboy dreaming under the stars next to his herd.

- Program Note from Teaching Music Through Performance in Band


Media


State Ratings

  • Mississippi: II-A
  • North Carolina: II
  • Tennessee: III


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Houllif, M. (2004). A Cowboy Life [score]. C. Alan Publications: Greensboro, N.C.
  • Murray Houllif website
  • Schueller, Rodney C. "A Cowboy Life." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 6, edit. & comp. by Richard Miles, 153-157. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2007.