Winter Light

Winter Light powerfully evokes the many kinds of light found in the darkness of the winter season. Each section depicts a different winter scene: a crisp December sunrise; the gleam of sun on freshly fallen snow; the warm glow of roaring fire; and the child-like wonder of seeing the neighborhood lit up with holiday lights. This piece is playable by younger bands while remaining an effective addition to any band’s concert program.

Program Notes

Winter often means an absence of light - perhaps this is why some religions incorporate candlelight into their holiday celebrations during this season. Christians light candles on an advent wreath to count the weeks until Christmas, and Jews celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights, by lighting candles on a menorah.

Countless songs have been written celebrating the religious aspects of the winter season. In this piece, however, I wanted to represent many kinds of light, each suggesting their own winter scene: the fresh light of a crisp winter morning; the gleam of sun on freshly fallen snow; the warm glow of roaring fire; and the child-like wonder of seeing the neighborhood lit up with holiday lights for the first time.

- M.W.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2022
Number of Players: Standard
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Series: Ruby Band Series
Category: Concert Band

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Instrumentation

Piccolo [optional]
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1 [optional]
Oboe 2 [optional]
Bassoon 1 [optional]
Bassoon 2 [optional]
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
B-Flat Contrabass Clarinet [optional]
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1 [optional]
F Horn 2 [optional]
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Euphonium
Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Piano

Timpani [4 drums]
Percussion 1: Glockenspiel, Sleigh Bells, Triangle
Percussion 2: Vibraphone
Percussion 3: Marimba [4-octave]
Percussion 4: Cabasa, Triangle, Crash Cymbals
Percussion 5: Suspended Cymbal, Woodblock
Percussion 6: Bass Drum