Northern Light

Fanfares, an alma mater chorale, and a rousing conclusion. Northern Light expresses the pride that many feel for their alma mater.

Program Notes

Northern Light was commissioned by the Walled Lake Northern High School Bands on the occasion of the first graduating class in June of 2005. The work incorporates the school's "Alma Mater" for which I was commissioned to write the music for several years ago.

The work uses a sonata-like design. It begins with a slow introduction beginning in Ab major using material from the Alma Mater and modulates to Bb major. An allegro exposition follows with a fanfare-like first theme (trumpets) that is celebratory in nature. A short transition leads to the second theme (Alma Mater) in Gb Major presented in a slower and more stately tempo. A development section follows which using fugal counterpoint as its centerpiece with the subject based on the first theme. Alternating episodes develop both themes and a retransition leads the work to the recapitulation of the first theme, this time in Ab Major. A transition dramatically leads to the final presentation of theme 2 (Alma Mater) in C Major with its rhythm augmented. A coda appropriately brings the work to a rousing conclusion.

- David R. Gillingham

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2006
Number of Players: Standard
Duration: 4:50
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Concert Band

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon 1/2
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2
Clarinet in Bb 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1
Trumpet in Bb 2
Trumpet in Bb 3
Horn in F 1/2
Horn in F 3/4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion 1 (bells, xylophone)
Percussion 2 (suspended cymbal, vibraphone, crash cymbals)
Percussion 3 (snare drum, hi-hat)
Percussion 4 (3 concert toms, small bass drum, chimes, tam-tam)