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Notes:
Comments by Staff Bandmaster William Himes, Territorial Music SecretaryAs in all marches, this exciting work will come to life if attention is especially given to accents and dynamic contrast. Specific concerns are as follows:

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Intro: Careful drill and instruction are needed to achieve precision with the unusual opening triplet rhythms. (You would be advised to slightly "cheat" the tie between beats 1 and 2 to avoid having the tempo bog down.)

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Meas. 3: Note that the dynamic suddenly recedes to f before beginning the second crescendo.

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Meas. 7-10: Aside from the technical concerns in the cornet parts, give good attention to the accented chords of the horns, baritones, euphoniums and basses. Balance and precision are the objectives here.

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Meas. 14: The entry of the soprano, 1-2 cornets and 1-2 trombones must be precise and cleanly tongued.

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Meas. 27-30: Exaggerate the softness of this section. The conductor must give a clear and confident cue to the solo cornets in meas. 28 and 30 to assure a good ensemble entry.

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Meas. 32: While the entire band reaches a ff peak at this measure, care must be given to bring out the important movement of the soprano, 1st cor?net and flugel.

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Meas. 36-59: From the horn section pick-up to this measure, the style (legato) and dynamics (p) must be of startling contrast. However, the con?ductor will also need to seek for melodic clarity, making sure that repeated pitches are tongued cleanly (especially meas. 39, 44-45, 52-53, etc.)

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Meas. 60-67: Accents must be achieved by "lifting" the tonguing intensity and air pressure one level higher - while making certain that the other non?accented notes are lighter than usual for maximum contrast.

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Meas. 67-68: Don't be afraid to pull back the tempo on beats 2-4 to savor the rich sonorities of these modulating chords, being careful to immediately return to the a tempo in meas. 68. Regardless of the exciting effect at this point, the dynamics must drop quickly to get down to mp by beat 3.

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Meas. 77-end: The conclusion should be a brilliant fanfare with a firm marcato style being employed in all sections.

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Program Note: Although written by a sixteen year-old more than thirty years ago, this march has never lost its dazzle and energy as it features the well-known hymn, " 'Are ye able,' said the Master."

This colorful selection uses three songs of contrasting idiom to portray a progression of the human condition from despair to triumph:

Although this is a more extended work (approximate duration: 9:00), the inclusion of optional introductions and endings provides added usefulness of presenting singular performances of these three songs as follows:
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child: Beginning to optional ending at bars 39-40.
Reach out and touch: Bar 42 to optional ending at bars 110-113.
Storm the forts of darkness: Begin with snare drum roll (can be a pause) one beat before 117. Play to end as written.

Program Note:
This beautiful setting for solo trombones and band of the folk song O Waly, O Waly is often associated with the words of Isaac Watts:Note to the Conductor:
We are pleased to present this sensitive setting as it was initially conceived for solo trombone. Written for the Amsterdam Staff Band's 2005 tour of the United Kingdom, it was later adapted as a feature for trombone ensemble, at the request of Salvationist Publishing & Supplies, where it appears in 2009 as General Series 2059.

We are grateful to SP&S for kindly giving permission to publish this solo version in the American Festival Series. Of this work, the arranger, Olaf Ritman writes: "I consider this song my personal testimony."

Beginning to bar 12: The accompaniment, particularly at the opening and closing of the piece, is atmospheric, with suspended muted chords supporting the rubato trombone solo. The judicious use of percussion (chimes, bass drum and suspended cymbal) will add to the color and mood. Be sure to cue the chimes at bars 3 and 6.

at bar 4, a clear downbeat cure for the bass drum will help clarify tempo following the soloist's pause. Also give attention to the muted sforzando in cornets and trombones in bar 8.

Bars 13-52: Following the ritardando at bar 12, it is essential for the conductor to establish the correct tempo at bar 13, allowing the soloist lyrical freedom and the ability to sustain long phrases as the tune begins at bar 16. The descending scale gesture at bar 39 should be measured, yet not overstated.

Bars 53-74: There is a slight slowing of tempo as soprano, flugel and horns take the theme while cornets, trombones and euphonium adding countermelody.

Bars 75 to end: Returning to the opening tempo, it will again be helpful to give clear cues for the chimes, bass drum and triangle from bars 75 to the end.

[Note: This solo can be heard on the Chicago Staff Band recording,Kurios, performed by Brett Tolcher]

Program Note:
The tune Randolph, by preeminent English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was first published in 1906 as a setting of Jeremiah Rankin's hymn, of which the first verse reads:
Note to the Conductor:
William Gordon's stunning four verse setting of Randolph progresses from the quiet simplicity of unison cornets and with each succeeding verse builds to a magnificent organ-like finale.

Gratitude is expressed to the publisher and copyright holder, Oxford University Press, for granting permission to publish this brass setting in the American Festival Series.

Beginning to bar 9: A ceremonial snare drum roll is the sole accompaniment to the cornets opening unison rendering of the tune.

Bar 10-17: The mellow instruments (flugel, horns, baritones and euphoniums) provide a beautiful change of color here with 2nd horn, baritones and euphonium seamlessly adding harmony.

Bars 18-26: A two beat snare and bass drum roll signals the entrance of the cornets and trombones in a more brilliant third verse setting. Here the bass trombone is essential (cued in Eb bass). Bring out the rising soprano cornet line from bar 22.

Bar 27 to end: A dramatic percussion roll precedes the "open pipes" organ like sounds of the final verse at bar 27. Be sure to observe the swell in bar 30, followed by a dramatic decrescendo before building to the final climatic chords. Avoid any tendency to overblow while striving for the full sonorities of this majestic finale.

[Note: this setting is especially effective when performed as a benediction "in the round" with players grouped by sections surrounding the audience.]