Starry Crown

Donald Grantham

General Info

Year: 2007
Duration: c. 14:30
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Piquant Press
Cost: Score and Parts (Rental) - $300.00 | Score (Purchase) - $45.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I–II-III-IV, including:

Bass Drum
Crash Cymbal
Glockenspiel
Gong (Tam-tam)
Snare Drum (2)
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Triangle
Tubular Bells (or Chimes)
Vibraphone
Wind Chimes (metal)
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Grantham provides the following notes about Starry Crown in the work’s preface:

Starry Crown is based on gospel music of the 1920s and 1930s from the Deep South -- a style sometimes referred to as ‘gutbucket’ gospel because of its raw, earthy and primitive character. Three authentic tunes are used in this work: Some of These Days, Oh Rocks, Don’t Fall on Me!, and When I Went Down in the Valley. The title of this work was derived from a textual reference in the latter song:
When I went down to the valley to pray,
Studyin’ about that good ol’ way
And who will wear that starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way

These songs are used at the beginning and end of the piece. The middle of the work recreates the atmosphere of the call-and-response sermons typical of this period. The preacher (represented by three trombones, then the rest of the brass section) make declamatory statements that the rest of the congregation (represented by the rest of the ensemble) responds to. The exchanges become quicker and quicker until finally all join together in a very fast and exuberant chorus.

- Program Note from State University of New York, Fredonia, Wind Symphony concert program, 23 February 2017

Media

Audio CD: Michigan State University Wind Symphony (Kevin L. Sedatole, conductor) - 2007
Audio CD: University of Texas Wind Ensemble (Jerry F. Junkin, conductor) - 2013

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Kennesaw (Ga.) State University Wind Ensemble (David Kehler, conductor) - 25 September 2023
Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) Wind Ensemble (Damon Talley, conductor) – 29 September 2019
Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) Wind Ensemble (Joseph Missal, conductor) – 8 November 2018
Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) Symphonic Band (Shawn Vondran, conductor) – 1 December 2017
State University of New York, Fredonia, Wind Symphony (Paula Holcomb, conductor) – 23 February 2017
University of Michigan Concert Band (Courtney Snyder, conductor) – 7 October 2015
Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) Wind Ensemble (Joseph P. Missal, conductor) – 25 March 2009 (CBDNA 2009 National Conference (Austin, Tx.)
Texas State University (San Marcos) Wind Ensemble (Rodney C. Schueller, conductor) – 1 March 2008 (CBDNA 2008 Southwestern Division Conference, Kansas City, Mo.)
Michigan State University (East Lansing) Wind Symphony (Kevin L. Sedatole, conductor) – 22 December 2007 (2007 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

After Hafiz (2016)
Amber Sky
Baron Cimetiere's Mambo (2004)
Baron Piquant on Pointe (2011)
Baron La Croix's Shuffle (2007)
Baron Samedi's Sarabande (and Soft Shoe) (2005)
Bum's Rush (1994)
Chant and Hymn for Our Lady
Circa 1600 (2018)
Cloudless Day, Bitter Sky (2002)
"Come Memory..." (2002)
Concerto in One Movement for Bass Trombone (1979)
Court Music (2005)
Don't You See? (2001)
Effulgent Light (2017)
Exhilaration and Cry (2008)
Fantasy on "In Dulci Jubilo" (2015)
Fantasy on "La Golondrina" (2003)
Fantasy on Mr. Hyde's Song (1998)
Fantasy Variations (1927/1998)
Farewell to Gray (2001)
Fayetteville Bop (2002)
From "An Alabama Songbook" (2007)
- Honey in the Rock (2008)
JS Dances (2003)
J'ai été au bal (1999)
Kentucky Harmony (2000)
Let Evening Come (Grantham) (2014)
Lone Star Twister (2008)
Music for the Blanton (2006)
Northern Celebration (2001)
Phantasticke Spirites (2002)
Shenandoah (2017)
Southern Harmony (1998)
- Wondrous Love (2008)
Sol y Sombra (2014)
Spangled Heavens (2010)
Starry Crown (2007)
Symphony for Winds and Percussion (2009)
- Stomp (Grantham) (2009)
Summer of 2008 (2008)
Thunderbird
Trumpet Gloria (2006)
Tuba Concerto (Grantham) (2012)
An Uneasy Mrch
Variations on an American Cavalry Song (2001)
What Comes Around... (2017)
A Winter Sky (2022)

Resources

Donald Grantham website
Lourens, Alan. "Starry Crown MBM Times, Issue 6 (2012), 62.