I Know Moonrise

From Wind Repertory Project
Jess Langston Turner

Jess Langston Turner


Subtitle: Spiritual for Wind Band


General Info

Year: 2019
Duration: c. 4:45
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Choir with vocal solos
Publisher: Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $145.00   |   Score Only (print) - $25.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass 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-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium I-II
Tuba I-II
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-tam (large)
  • Tom-tom
  • Vibraphone
  • Wind Chimes


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

I Know Moonrise began its life as a work for choir with alto soloist adapted from this anonymous spiritual text from the mid-1800s:

I know moonrise, I know starrise,
Lay dis body down.
I walk in de moonlight, I walk in de starlight,
To lay dis body down.

The piece starts slowly and falteringly with a solo French horn taking the place of the alto voice in a poignantly blues-inflected melody. The music darkens as it passes out of moonlight into the graveyard and down into the grave. But on the other side of the grave waits joy, reconciliation, light, and rest.

I Know Moonrise was commissioned for the retirement of my father, Dr. Daniel Turner, after more than 40 years of service as director of bands, and head of the Department of Music Education at Bob Jones University, Greenville, S.C.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

  • Texas: IV. Complete


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources