In the Spring at the Time When Kings Go Off to War

From Wind Repertory Project
David Holsinger

David Holsinger


General Info

Year: 1991
Duration: c. 11:42
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Southern Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $325.00   |   Score Only - $45.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
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
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Chimes
  • Gong
  • Marimba
  • Orchestra Chimes
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tom-Tom
  • Triangle
  • Wind Chimes


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

In the Spring at the Time When Kings Go Off to War was commissioned by the Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter at Stephen F. Austin University, Nacadouches, Texas, in 1985. Premiered under the baton of Bandmaster Mel Montgomery in the spring of 1986, the composition was later declared the winner of the 1986 American Bandmasters Association Ostwald Award.

The composition is based on I Chronicles 20, verses 1 through 3. This short scripture tells of the gathering of King David’s armies under the command of Joab; the legions attack and siege of the land of the Amonites; the subsequent capture and execution of the Ammonite kings; the plunder and slavery of the surviving foe; and the triumphant return of David’s army to Jerusalem.

Using a variety of musical idioms, from diatonic to “sound mass," aleatoric to measured, vocal to synthetic, the composer has woven a tonal picture of the chaos, pathos, triumph, grief, faith, and tragedy. In short, In the Spring, literally portrays programmatically this Old Testament episode.

- Program Note by Concordia University Wind Symphony


Awards

  • American Bandmasters Association Ostwald Award, winner, 1986


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class AA
  • Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP I
  • Louisiana: V
  • Minnesota: I
  • New York: Concert Band VI
  • North Carolina: VI
  • South Carolina: VI
  • Virginia: VI


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Concordia University (Seward, Neb.) Wind Ensemble (Andrew Schultz, conductor) – 1 March 2019
  • Pearl City (Hi.) High School Symphonic Winds (Chadwick Kamei, conductor) – 9 April 2018
  • Hartt School of Music Community Division's Capitol Symphonic Winds (Gary Partridge, conductor) - 7 May 2014
  • Matsudo-Daiyon Junior High School (Japan) - October 2013
  • "Salesiana del Niño Jesús" Symphonic Band de Bogotá (Col.) (Rogelio Arturo Castro García, conductor) - October 2016


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • David Holsinger website Accessed 29 August 2021
  • Holsinger, D. (1991). In the Spring at the Time When Kings Go Off to War: For Symphonic Band [score]. Southern Music: San Antonio, Tex.