J.S. Jig

Brant Karrick

Subtitle: Featuring J. S. Bach's Was Gott tut, das ist Wohlgetan and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

General Info

Year: 2008
Duration: c. 3:55
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Publishing Co.
Cost: Score and Parts - $72.00 | Score Only - $10.00

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
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-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

Agogo Bells
Bass Drum
Bells
Cabasa
Claves
Concert Tom
Crash Cymbals
Maracas
Marimba
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Triangle
Vibra-slap
Xylophone

Players whistling

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Written in October of 2006, J. S. Jig is a dance that fuses themes of J. S. Bach into a lilting 6/8 Irish Jig. The first sketch consists of the main theme, initially as a fugue, and includes a short quote of Bach’s much-loved Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. As the composer continued to play with the theme, experimenting with harmonies, colors and orchestration, he began to imagine old Johann himself along with some good-humored Irish musicians looking over his shoulder. He wanted them all to be pleased and like the music! To further pay homage to Bach, he decided to include the Bach chorale Was Gott tut, das ist Wohlgetan, a chorale which the composer’s father had transcribed and had become a favorite of the composer.

J. S. Jig begins with a subtle percussion groove, followed by quick exchanges of the main themes between sections of instruments. A complete statement of the jig theme is followed by a short development, a fugue and a short transition into the chorale played by the brass choir as woodwinds continue the jig idea. As the main theme returns, the orchestration becomes denser, harmonies become more dissonant and the dynamics build to a thunderous climax.

- Program Note from score

Clever and creative, this dance-like work combines the melodies of J. S. Bach with a lilting Irish jig for a most unique and entertaining work. Exchanges of the themes by various sections as well as a subtle percussion grooves bring out the best of all the themes while adding a fresh and appealing dimension overall.

- Program Note from publisher

J.S. Jig (2006) is a dance that fuses themes of Johann Sebastian Bach into a lilting Irish jig. The first sketch consists of the main theme, initially as a fugue, and includes a short quote of Bach’s much loved Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. Karrick included one of his favorite Bach chorales, Was Gott tut, das ist Wohlgetan.

J.S. Jig was written for Joe Allen and the Muhlenberg North High School Band in honor of Allen’s forty years of service as a band director.

- Program Note from University of North Texas University Band concert program, 22 February 2017

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

North Carolina: V
Texas: III. Complete

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

University of Texas, Arlington, Symphonic Band (Christopher Evans, conductor) - 26 February 2023
University of Louisville (Ky.) Symphonic Band (Summer Sneed, conductor) - 20 November 2021
University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) Concert Band A (Travis Higa, conductor) - 16 November 2020
California All-State Junior High School Concert Band (Jermie Arnold, conductor) - 23 February 2020 (2020 CASMEC Conference, Fresno)
Baylor University (Waco, Texas) Concert Band (Steve Dailey, conductor) – 5 May 2019
Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, Ark.) Wind Ensemble (Craig V. Hamilton, conductor) – 4 March 2019
Michigan State University (East Lansing) Campus Band (Arris Golden, conductor) – 19 February 2019
University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Gold Campus Band (Cory Near, conductor) – 3 December 2018
Penn State University (University Park) Concert Band (Gregory Drane, conductor) – 1 March 2018
University of Colorado Boulder Concert Band (Hannah Rudy, conductor) – 11 December 2017
University of British Columbia (Vancouver) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Robert Taylor, conductor) – 6 October 2017
West Chester University (Penn.) Concert Band (Jack J. Hontz, conductor) – 26 April 2017
Kings Park Concert Band (Springfield, Va.) (Rich Bergman, conductor)– 1 April 2017
University of North Texas (Denton) University Band (Benjamin Blasko, conductor) – 22 February 2017
Ohio State University (Columbus) University Band (Matt King, conductor) – 18 February 2016
Sacramento Symphonic Winds (Timothy M. Smith, conductor) – 18 October 2015
Tigard (Ore.) High School Wind Ensemble (James Irving, conductor) - 18 April 2015
Henry Middle School (Cedar Park, Tex.) Honors Band (Robert Herrings, conductor) - 2012

Works for Winds by This Composer

African Dreams (2012)
Bayou Breakdown (2004)
Comet Flash (2019)
Companions on the Journey (2006/2008)
Country Gardens (as arranger) (1918/2013)
Cumberland Falls Overture (2008)
Dean Dowdy
The Dragoon's Farewell (1998)
Exuberance (2012)
Ghost Dancing (2012)
A Golden Celebration (2010)
Homeward Bound (as arranger) (1991/2009)
If I Should Go (2021)
In My Native Country (as arranger) (1886/1999)
J.S. Jig (2008)
The Journey (2009)
Mambo Furioso (2001/2006)
Memor Vita! (2010)
The Old Red Mill (2010)
Photo Finish! (2007)
Quirks (2012)
Reluctant Joys (as arranger) (2020)
Runway Five (2014)
A Sacred Suite (2006)
See Rock City (2011)
Shannon Lake (2002/2003)
Slumber, My Darling (as arranger) (1862/2006)
Songs of Old Kentucky (2007)
Spy Chase (2005)
They Shall Run and Be Free (2009)
Unbridled Spirit!
Vanity Fair (as transcriber) (2006)
Vital Signs (2019)
When Hearts Tremble (2017)
With Visions of Tomorrow (2013)
With Wind and Water (2018)
Wondrous (2015)

Resources

Karrick, B. (2008). J. S. Jig : Featuring J. S. Bach's Was Gott Tut, Das Ist Wohlgetan and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring [score]. Alfred Publishing Co.: Van Nuys, Calif.