Reagan of Illinois

From Wind Repertory Project
David Holsinger

David Holsinger


General Info

Year: 2011 / 2013
Duration: c. 18:29
Difficulty: IV-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: TRN Music Publisher
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $95.00   |   Score Only (print) - $15.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
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-VI, including:

  • Bar Chimes
  • Bass Drum (small and regular)
  • Cowbell (small)
  • Crash Cymbals (small, "toy," and regular)
  • Hi-hat
  • Marimba
  • Orchestral Bells (or Glockenspiel)
  • Snare Drum
  • Sports Whistle
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Temple Blocks
  • Triangle (small and regular)
  • Xylophone

Narrator Score


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Although born in nearby Tampico, Illinois, Ronald Reagan moved with his family to Dixon, Illinois, when he was nine years old. In many of his speeches and writings, he always referred to his growing up in Dixon and the many life lessons he learned in those formative years. As far as the 40th President of the United States was concerned, Dixon, Illinois, was his hometown.

To celebrate the president’s 100th birthday remembrance on February 6, 2011, the City of Dixon commissioned this work for symphonic band and narrator, as a gift of love from his hometown. The narration, gathered from his autobiography, Ronald Reagan, An American Life, takes us from his initial remembrances of Dixon to his first audition with Warner Brothers Studios in 1939. As with his delightfully written reminiscence, the composition is laced with gratitude, fond recollections, and humorous anecdotes concerning his years growing up in the Illinois farmland. (Admittedly, one of the more delightful moments in the compositional process for me was a chance to do a little historical “borrowing,” incorporating not only the beautiful Illinois State Song, but also the 1930s era Eureka College hymn and the Eureka College fight song, the very tunes probably heard by a young football player named “Dutch” Reagan while attending college there.)

The Dixon Ronald Reagan Centennial Committee Commission was chaired by Ann Lewis, who also served as the vice-chairman of the Illinois Reagan Centennial Commission, in cooperation with Mark Bressler, director of the Dixon Municipal Band who currently works for the West Carroll School District.

I was pleased to be offered this opportunity to honor this well-loved president.

- Program Note by composer


Commissioned by the City of Dixon, Illinois to Commemorate the Centennial Birthday of President Ronald Reagan, A Gift of Love from his Boyhood Hometown.

- Program Note from score


Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources