Mayflower Overture

From Wind Repertory Project
Ron Nelson

Ron Nelson


General Info

Year: 1958 / 1997
Duration: c. 7:15
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $115.00   |   Score Only (print) - $13.95


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Orchestra Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Thunder Sheet
  • Triangle
  • Wind Machine


Errata

  • Timpani, 2 m. before reh. F: This entrance should be on F-natural, not F-sharp as before.


Program Notes

Mayflower Overture, an original tone poem for band composed in 1958, is dedicated to Frederick Fennell and th Eastman Wind Ensemble. The piece is Ron Nelson's first significant work for band and was revised to the current version in 1997.

The work aims to depict the epic journey of the Pilgrims to the New World and is presented in three sections: "Departure" gives the listener the impression of the beginning of the voyage, "Storm," a portrayal of a violent storm at sea, and "Arrival in the New World," the sighting of land in November of 1620. Three Ainsworth Psalter (1612) hymns are used in the composition – Psalm 3, Psalm 136/84, and Psalm 100 ("Old Hundredth" or Doxology).

- Program Note from Ouachita Baptist University Wind Ensemble concert program, 10 March 2016


Media


State Ratings

  • Florida: V
  • Michigan: Senior High AA
  • Minnesota: II
  • North Carolina: V
  • Oklahoma: IV-A
  • Tennessee: IV


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Messiah University (Mechanicsburg, Penn.) Symphonic Winds (Travis Weller conductor) - 12 April 2022
  • University of Richmond (Va.) Wind Ensemble (Steven Barton, conductor) - 22 November 2021
  • Cedar City (Utah) Community Band (Steve Shirts, conductor) - 6 April 2021
  • Johnson City (Tenn.) Community Concert Band (Christian Zembower, conductor) - 7 October 2019
  • Charlottesville Municipal Band (Crozet, Va.) (Stephen R. Layman, conductor) – 4 June 2019
  • University of North Georgia (Gainesville) Wind Ensemble (J. Ashley Jarrell, conductor) – 4 December 2018
  • Kansas Wesleyan University (Salina) Wind Ensemble (Carl Rowles, conductor) – 22 November 2017
  • Band Camp for Adult Musicians (Meadville, Penn.) (Timothy Foley, conductor) – 18 June 2017
  • Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, Ark.) Wind Ensemble (Craig V. Hamilton, conductor) – 10 March 2016
  • Highland (Ind.) Community Band 13 November 2014


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources