Mystery on Mena Mountain

From Wind Repertory Project
Julie Giroux

Julie Giroux


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General Info

Year: 1985
Duration: c. 5:00
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Southern Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $105.00   |   Score Only - $8.75


Instrumentation

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This popular programmatic piece was first played and recorded by Frank Wickes and the Louisiana State University Wind Ensemble in 1985. The title refers to a story of two children who disappeared in the vicinity of Mena Mountain in 1940. According to a legend in the Ozark Mountains of western Arkansas, the two children set out to meet angels who were believed to live in the clouds above Mena Mountain.

As the work opens, the sun is rising above the mountain top with the main theme representing the power of the mountain itself. An allegro tempo indicates that the children are beginning their climb; a slower section describes their wandering through the foggy morning until a break in the mist reveals a choir of 200 white-robed angels singing and playing golden instrument. Entranced by the music, the children walk on the clouds and accept the invitation of the angels to accompany them to heaven. As the piece closes, the clouds rise and float slowly out of sight, leaving Mena Mountain as it was before.

- Program Note by the composer for Program Notes for Band


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class CC
  • Arkansas: III
  • Kansas: IV
  • Maryland: IV
  • Massachusetts: I
  • New York: Concert Band III
  • Oklahoma: III-A
  • South Carolina: IV
  • Tennessee: III
  • Virginia: IV
  • MusicFest Canada: B300


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Messiah University (Mechanicsburg, Penn.) Symphonic Winds (Travis Weller conductor) - 22 September 2023
  • Sacramento (Calif.) State University Concert Band (Matthew Morse, conductor) - 15 March 2023
  • Nebraska Wind Symphony (Omaha) (Joshua Roach, conductor) - 16 October 2022
  • Texas Woman's University (Denton) University Band (Carter Biggers, conductor) - 27 October 2021
  • Henderson State University (Arkadelphia, Ark.) Symphony Band (Shaun Popp, conductor) – 8 March 2020
  • University of Louisville Concert Band, (Jason Cumberledge, conductor) - 20 February 2019
  • University of Oklahoma (Norman) Concert Band (Brian T. Wolfe, conductor) – 26 February 2018
  • University of Georgia (Athens) Hodgson Concert Band (Bradley Esau, conductor) – 15 February 2017
  • Arkansas (Fayetteville) Winds Community Concert Band (Michael Ferguson, conductor) - 25 April 2015
  • University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, Campus Band - 5 March 2015
  • University of Nevada (Reno) Wind Ensemble (A G McGrannahan III, conductor) – 15 March 2012 (CBDNA 2012 Western/Northwestern Division Conference, Reno, Nev.)


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources