Watchman, Tell Us of the Night
General Info
Year: 1996
Duration: c. 15:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Neil A Kjos Music Company
Cost: Score and Parts - $80.00 | Score Only - $8.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II (optional English Horn)
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass 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-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crotales
- Crash Cymbals
- Glockenspiel
- Gong (or Tam-Tam)
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tenor Drum
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Wind Chimes
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
A hymn for all children, Watchman, Tell Us of the Night portrays the loneliness, loss of innocence and yet enduring hope of the survivor of child abuse. The work is a musical tribute to survivors, often dreamlike in nature, as seen through the eyes of the child. With this work, Mr. Camphouse responds to the shockingly widespread national tragedy of child abuse. Victims often suffer life-long effects mentally, physically, and socially. This shameful societal illness must be faced openly, honestly, and compassionately.
The title, taken from John Bowring's 1825 text setting of George Elvey's church hymn, Watchman, Tell Us of the Night, is also known as the Thanksgiving hymn, Come Ye Thankful People Come.
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night was commissioned by the St. Louis Youth Wind Ensemble, Milton Allen, conductor, and is dedicated to the composer's twin daughters, Beth and Briton.
Watchman, tell us of the night. For the morning seems to dawn;
Traveler, darkness takes its flight; Doubt and terror are withdrawn.
Watchman, let thy wanderings cease; Hie thee to thy quiet home.
Traveler, yes; it brings the day. Healing wholeness now has come!
- Program Note from score
Media
- MP3 at Neil A Kjos Music Company
- Audio CD: Concordia University Wind Symphony (Richard Fischer and Jack Stamp, conductors).
- Audio CD: VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, Ill.) Symphonic Band (James Keene, conductor) – 2000
State Ratings
- New York: VI
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- East Tennessee State University (Johnson City) Wind Ensemble (Reilly Fox, conductor) - 18 April 2023
- University of Iowa (Iowa City) Symphony Band (M. Cory Schmitt, conductor) - 13 April 2023
- Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio) Symphonic Winds (Ryan Scherber, conductor) - 19 October 2022
- George Mason University (Fairfax, Va.) Wind Symphony (Mark Camphouse, conductor) - 7 October 2021
- University of Oklahoma (Norman) Symphony Band (Brian A. Britt, conductor) – 26 February 2018
- College of the Sequoias (Visalia, Calif.) Symphonic Band (Michael Tackett, conductor) - 12 March 2016 (2016 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)
- University of British Columbia (Vancouver) Concert Winds (Robert Taylor, conductor) – 3 February 2016
- Omaha Symphonic Winds (William Hall, conductor) - 1 March 2015
- La Sierra University (Riverside, Calif.) Wind Ensemble (Ken Narducci, conductor) - 16 March 2013 (2013 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.))
- Florida International University Wind Ensemble (Catherine Rand, conductor) - 17 November 2011
- UPEI Wind Symphony (Charlottetown, PEI, Can.)(Karem J. Simon, conductor)- 15 November 2002
- San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Wind Orchestra (William V. Johnson, conductor) – 14 May 14, 2000
- VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, Ill.) Symphonic Band (James Keene conductor) – 22 December 2000 (2000 Midwest Clinic)
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Air Mobility Command March (2008)
- Anthem (2009)
- Canzon, Fugato, and Hymn (2004)
- A Dakota Rhapsody (2007)
- Declarations (1996/1997)
- Elegy (1989)
- Elegy, Prayer, and Hymn (2015)
- Essay (1992)
- Fantasia on "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" (2005)
- First Essay for Symphonic Band. See: Essay
- Foundation (2007)
- Heartland Sketches (2009)
- Homage to the Dream (2013)
- Illuminations (2016/2018)
- In Memoriam (2002)
- La cathédrale résiliente (2019)
- Legacy for Brass and Percussion (2008)
- London Miniatures (1998)
- A Movement for Rosa (1992)
- Pacific Commemoration (1999)
- Prelude, Processional, and Postlude (2019)
- Reminiscences (2011)
- Resolutions (2017/2020)
- Romanza, from A Jack Stamp Suite (2017)
- Second Essay for Symphonic Band (2015)
- The Shining City (2011)
- Symphonic Fanfare (2006)
- Symphonic Prelude (The Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer) (2006)
- Symphony from Ivy Green
- Three London Miniatures (1988)
- To Build a Fire (1992)
- Tribute (1985)
- Twin Ports Overture (2012/2013)
- Two American Canvases (2010)
- Watchman, Tell Us of the Night (1996)
- Whatsoever Things... (1997)
- Yosemite Autumn (1997/2004)
Resources
- Darling, John A. Watchman, Tell Us of the Night. MBM Times, Issue 6 (2012), 75.
- Mark Camphouse website