Eternal Father, Strong to Save

From Wind Repertory Project
Claude T. Smith

Claude T. Smith


Subtitle: The Navy Hymn


General Info

Year: 1860 / 1975
Duration: c. 6:50
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Claude T. Smith Publications, Inc., through C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts - $70.00   |   Score Only - $7.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboes I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Horns in F I-II-III-IV
Trumpet I-II-III
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium
Basses
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tubular Bells (or Chimes)
  • Vibraphone


Errata

In Parts:

  • Flute I & II and Piccolo. 12 meas. after reh. B: add rehearsal "C" (at the key change).
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone I and II. 4 meas. before reh. C, beat 4: E should read D. (Correct score also)
  • Horn in F I. 9 meas. after reh. F: add reh. “G”
  • Baritone Treble Clef. 1 meas. before end, beat 4&: G should read A.

See also Topolewski in Resources, below.


New Engraving:

In Score and Parts:

  • Horn in F, mm. 61 and 65: First note should be E-natural.


Program Notes

Rich in harmony, dynamics, and thematic interplay, Eternal Father, Strong to Save is based on the missionary hymn of the same name composed in 1860 by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876), which was adopted as the official hymn of the U.S. Navy. This work opens with a brilliant fanfare. The melody of the hymn then appears in a fugue developed by the woodwinds. The brass echo the fugue until the melody once again appears played by the choir of French horns. The ensemble joins in for a finale reminiscent of the introductory fanfare.

- Program Note by San Luis Obispo Wind Ensemble concert program, December 11, 2010


The work is dedicated to the United States Navy Band, Lieutenant Commander Ned E. Muffley, conductor, and was premiered at the Band's 50th anniversary concert held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 1975.

- Program Note from the full score.


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class AA
  • Arkansas: V
  • Georgia: VI
  • Iowa: V
  • Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP I
  • Louisiana: IV
  • Minnesota: I
  • Mississippi: VI-A
  • New York: Concert Band VI
  • North Carolina: VI
  • South Carolina: VI
  • Tennessee: VI
  • Virginia: V


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Joint Armed Forces Band (Washington, D.C.) (Brian O. Walden, conductor) - 8 March 2024 (89th Annual ABA National Convention)
  • Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.) Wind Symphony (Jeremy Harmon, conductor) - 27 October 2023
  • Florida State University (Tallahassee) University Concert Band (Chandler L. Wilson, conductor) - 26 February 2023
  • Virginia Grand Military Band (Alexandria) (Arnald Gabriel, conductor) - 5 November 2022
  • Central Washington University (Ellensburg) Wind Ensemble (T. André Feagin, conductor) - 1 December 2021
  • Northshore Concert Band (Evanston, Ill.) (Mallory Thompson, conductor) - 15 November 2020
  • Dordt University (Sioux Center, Iowa) Wind Symphony (Onsby Rose, conductor) - 16 October 2020
  • Dallas (Tx.) Winds (Jerry Junkin, conductor) – 12 November 2019
  • Illinois Valley Community College (Oglesby, Ill.) Wind Ensemble (Gene Montgomery, conductor) – 5 May 2019
  • University of Georgia (Athens) Hodgson Symphonic Band (Michael Robinson, conductor) – 5 April 2019
  • Delaware Winds (Dover) (Jordan E. Kinsey, conductor) - 2 April 2019
  • Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.) Wind Symphony (Miles Wurster, conductor) – 17 February 2019
  • Roberts Wesleyan College (Chili, N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Ken Pfromm, conductor) – 14 February 2019
  • Oak Ridge (Tenn.) Community Band/Wind Ensemble (Shaun Salem, conductor) – 18 November 2018
  • Cleveland Winds (Cleveland, Ohio) (Roby George, conductor) – 11 November 2018
  • State College (Penn.) Area Municipal Band (Darrin Thornton, conductor) - 11 November 2018
  • California State University, San Bernardino, Symphony Band (Nicholas Bratcher, conductor) – 7 November 2018
  • Lansing (Mich.) Concert Band (Mike Scholes, conductor) – 21 October 2018
  • New Orleans (La.) Concert Band (Charles Taylor, conductor) – 4 July 2018
  • Western Illinois University (Macomb) Wind Ensemble (Mike Fansler, conductor) – 5 May 2018
  • United States Navy Band (Washington, D.C.) (Ned E. Muffley, conductor) - 4 March 1975 (Kennedy Center) *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources