Songs of Paradise

From Wind Repertory Project
This work has been identified for inclusion in the Small Band Repertoire Initiative. You may find discussion of the work's challenges and merits under the Discussion tab above. You may also contribute your own thoughts and recommendations by joining the WRP.


Kevin Walczyk

Kevin Walczyk


General Info

Year: 1941 / 2011
Duration: c. 8:45
Difficulty: III+ (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Keveli Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $95.00; (digital) - $95.00   |   Score Only (print) - $15.00


Movements

1. Come, Saints – 1:20
2. The Home of the Soul – 1:45
3. Someone is Waiting for Me – 1:50
4. The Pilgrim's Song - 1:25
5. I Have Found at Last - 2:25


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
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
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-VI, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Triangle, suspended
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Songs of Paradise is a setting of hymns by African-American composer Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933). These five hymns, from Tindley's complete compilation of 46 hymns, were published in a collection entitled New Songs of Paradise (1941).

Tindley was born in Berlin, Maryland, and raised by his father after his mother died when Albert was only two years old. Having to be "hired out" in order to help earn a living, young Tindley taught himself to read and write. During his formative years Tindley moved to Philadelphia where he would spend the rest of his life forging a most influential career as a pastor, orator, social activist and composer. Given the sobriquet "father of African American Hymnody", Tindley's humble beginnings and lack of formal training led to a musical style of hymnody distinguished from those of his Anglo-American counterparts by addressing the worldly sorrows, blessings and joys that pertained specifically to African-Americans, and by incorporating elements of improvisation and early vestiges of gospel music, including summary refrains following each stanza.

The five concert band settings of Songs of Paradise introduce new harmonies, rhythms, counterpoint and structural designs to the hymns. The melodies and contextual implications of the lyrics, however, remain intact.

Songs of Paradise was commissioned by Dr. Paul W. Popiel, Director of Bands at the University of Kansas, and the Kansas Music Educators Association Northeast District Honor Band.

- Program Note from publisher


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Concert Band (Arris Golden, conductor) - 16 November 2022
  • University of Utah (Salt Lake City) Symphonic Band (Rebekah Daniel, conductor) - 9 November 2021
  • Grand Symphonic Winds (Roseville, Minn.) (Matthew J. George, conductor) - 16 October 2021
  • Hartwick College (Oneonta, N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Matthew Westgate, conductor) – 19 November 2019
  • University of Colorado Boulder Concert Band (Dylan Koester, conductor) – 17 April 2019
  • Kent State (Ohio) Symphony Band (John Franklin, conductor) – 27 April 2018
  • Concordia University Ann Arbor (Mich.) Wind Ensemble (William Perrine, conductor) – 18 October 2016
  • University of Kansas (Lawrence) Wind Ensemble (Paul Popiel, conductor) – 3 November 2011 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources