Dream of Coming Home, A
Subtitke: Dedicated to Those in Service to Our Country Stationed Afar
General Info
Year: 2010
Duration: c. 6:45
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C. Alan
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $75.00 | Score Only (print) - $22.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
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
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-VI, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bell Tree
- Bells
- Chimes
- Crash Cymbals
- Crotales
- Field Drum
- Ocean Drum
- Rainstick
- Suspended Cymbal
- Triangle
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
A Dream of Coming Home is dedicated to those in service to our country who are stationed around the world. The piece depicts the dream-like thoughts of home that run through a person’s mind while slowly drifting off to sleep. The musical colors in the piece represent those sentiments and sounds: a stroll down a lane; tolling church bells; twittering birds; a gentle summer rain; distant thunder; thoughts of parents and family; and the anticipation of a grand homecoming celebration.
The main theme is simplistic yet beautiful – like the reminiscence of the comforts of home. The theme is presented three times in the piece, each time becoming stronger and more dominant. In the middle of the work, rainsticks represent the calmness of a gentle summer rain, but is interrupted by the entrance of drums announcing the reality of the here and now. This leads to the last grand statement of the main theme, which is heroic and brings with it a feeling of great contentment and hope. The work concludes as it began in a dream-like state of wonder. The final bell stroke brings a calm, peaceful smile as you sense you are finally home…
Thank you to all who serve this country and risk their lives to protect our freedom.
- Program Note by composer
Media
State Ratings
- Kansas: IV
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) Varsity Band (Joan deAlbuquerque, conductor) – 14 November 2017
- Hopkins Junior High School Wind Ensemble – 19 December 2016
Works for Winds by This Composer
- and the antelope play (2008)
- Centennial Celebration Fanfare (2009)
- A Dream of Coming Home (2010)
- I Hear Him! (2011)
- Mountain Watches Over Us, The (2016)
- To Soar Like an Eagle
- Washington Post, The (as arranger)
Resources
- Carnahan, J. (2010). A Dream of Coming Home : Dedicated to Those in Service to Our Country Stationed Afar [score]. C. Alan Publications: Greensboro, N.C.
- John Alan Carnahan website Accessed 14 November 2017