Praises!

David Holsinger

David Holsinger

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Subtitle: A Ballet for Winds and Percussion

General Info

Year: 2001
Duration: c. 30:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: TRN Music

Movements are published and available separately.

Movements

1. Zamar
2. Halal Yadah
3. Barak
4. Towdah
5. Shabach
6. Tehillah

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Piano
Timpani
Percussion

(Percussion detail desired)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The word "praise" in the English language is defined rather succinctly as "an expression of approval either by commendation, worship, or value merit." We tend to think of "praise" as being, for the most part, celebratory in nature.

In the English translations of the Old Testament, the word "praise" occurs numerous times, anywhere from 246 times in the King James version to nearly 350 times in more modern translations. The seven Hebrew words which are translated to the English word "praises" each have very distinct individual definitions, some surprisingly different than our Western minds would define as "celebratory." It was on these seven distinctive words that the composer based these dance episodes, written for Robert Musser's adult ensemble, the Tacoma Concert Band, in Tacoma, Washington.

Over six movements, the composer has expressed his impression of the seven Hebrew words for "praise" found in the Old Testament Psalms. In Movement One, Zamar means to celebrate accompanied by musical instruments (one reference to that is Psalm 57:7).

Movement Two is based on the words, Halal, meaning to be clamorously foolish and boastful in praise (Ps. 102:18), and Yadah, indicating that individuals are thrusting their hands skyward victoriously (Ps. 67:3).

The Third Movement is based on the Hebrew word, "Barak", which is defined as kneeling and bowing as an act of humble adoration (Ps. 72:156), a surprisingly different stance than Westerners would normally associate with "praise".

Movement Four is based on the word Towdah, indicating extending the hands upward in thankful adoration, specifically by a choir of worshipers (Ps. 50:23), certainly an early indication of unison choreography.

The last two movements have very short definitions. Movement Five is based on the word Shabach which, simply put, means that the praises are shouted (Ps. 63:3); and Movement Six concludes the ballet with the word Tehillah, indicating that the praisers are meant to sing their "halals" (Ps. 147:1).

For his inspiration, teaching, and example of "praiselife", the composer dedicates the inspiration of this ballet to his friend and former pastor, Rev. Olen Griffing.

- Program Notes by Tacoma Concert Band

Media

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

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• Lee University (Cleveland, Tenn.) Wind Ensemble (David Holsinger, conductor) – 28 November 2017

Works for Winds by This Composer

• Abram’s Pursuit (1998)
• Adagio (2000)
• The Adventures of Kid Cam, the Rocketman! (2014)
• American Faces (1996)
• Ancient Dances (2020)
• The Armies of the Omnipresent Otserf (1981)
• Army Ants March and Boogie (2005)
• At the Strongholds of En Gedi (1996)
• Ballet Exaltare (1999)
• Ballet Sacra (1990)
• Battle Music (1990)
• A Call to Celebration (2012)
• Canticles! (2001)
• The Case of the Mysterious Stranger (1990)
• The Chase (2003)
• A Childhood Hymn (as arranger) (1862/1991)
• City Symphony
  • Cityscape I (Festive Hours Neon Night) (2001)
  • Cityscape II (Lonely Hours Anguished Night) (2004)
  • Cityscape III (Morning Hours Salvation Light) (2008)
• The Cluster Bluster Fluster March (1991)
• Connacht Rhapsody (2017)
• Consider the Uncommon Man (1992)
• Deborah's Triumph/Jael's Revenge (2016)
• Deerpath Dances (1996)
• Divertimented Dances (2006)
• The Easter Symphony (1986-1997)
• Elegy on an American Folk Tune (2006)
• Elegy on an Evening Hymn (2013)
• Every Morning New (2002)
• Falcon Attack! (2002)
• Fanfare for Brass and Timpani (2003)
• Fanfare for Such a Time as This (2007)
• Fanfare for the Glorious Naycart (2001)
• Fantasy on a Gaelic Hymnsong (1999)
• Fantasy on Old Hundred (2019)
• Festiva Jubiloso (2000)
• Festival Music for a Silver Celebration
• Fort Canterbury March (1989)
• The Gathering of the Ranks at Hebron (1988)
• Gears Pulleys Chains (2006)
• Gmyway’s Revenge! (1994)
• Graysondance (1993)
• Gypsydance (1994)
• Havendance (1985)
• The Helm Toccata (1991)
• Hero Music (2005)
• Homage: Three Tapestries (1999)
• Hopak Raskolniki (1980)
• If You Must Doodle, Doodle Somewhere Else (1990)
• In Praise of Gentle Pioneers (1996)
• In the Spring at the Time When Kings Go Off to War (1991)
• A Jolly Walk in Hibbertland (1991)
• Kaylen Dreaming (2006)
• Kansas City Dances (1978)
• L'Arco della Vita (2021)
• Lake Canterbury Regatta (1993)
• Last Run (2020)
• A Little Adventure Music (2002)
• Little Fantasy on an American Hymn (2009)
• A Little Mystery Music (1996)
• Liturgical Dances (1984)
• The Maelstrom (2009)
• The March of the Combat Patrol (1991)
• March of the Grand High Poobah (2006)
• March on a Russian Hymnsong (2003)
• Mobbusters! (1994)
• Nilesdance (1987)
• On a Childhood Sunday Song (2004)
• On a Hymnsong of Lowell Mason (1990)
• On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss (1989)
• On a Hymnsong of Robert Lowry (1993)
• On a Southern Hymnsong (1993)
• On an American Spiritual (1991)
• On Ancient Hymns and Festal Dances (1988)
• On the Cul-de-sac, Three O’clock, Friday Afternoon (1999)
• On the Grand Prairie Texas (1989)
• On the Overland Stage to El Paso (2006)
• One Day in a Small Town (2004)
• Otserf II : Revenge of the Warrior Prince (2009)
• Partita Allegro (1997)
• The Peasant Village Dance (1990)
• Praises! (2001)
• Prairie Dances (1998)
• Prelude and Presto (2018)
• Prelude and Rondo (1976)
• The Pride of Buxmont (2000)
• Providence Unfinished (2002)
• Quiet River (2011)
• Reagan of Illinois (2011)
• Reagan of Illinois Part II (2013)
• Riding With the Frontier Battalion (2000)
• Scaling the North Wall (1990)
• Scootin’ on Hardrock (1999)
• Scrappy Bumptoe’s Picture Cards and Ragtag Diary (1981)
• Sinfonia Voci (1993)
• Solemn Hymn & Rowdy Dance (2010)
• Soliloquy (2020)
• Some Give All (2016)
• A Song of Moses (1999)
• Summer to Fall: A Love Song (2006)
• Symphonia Glorioso (2006)
• Symphonic Movement (2000)
• Texas Promenade (1999
• Til His Hand Grew Tired and Froze to the Sword (2004)
• To Live a Life Triumphant (2007)
• To Tame the Perilous Skies (1990)
• Von Grrrhart’s 613th Regimental March (1994)
• The War Trilogy: 1971 (1999)
• The White Rose (as arranger) (1917/)
• Zinphonia (2017)

Resources

• David Holsinger website Accessed 29 August 2021