Works for Wind Ensemble by Composer-in-Residence John Gibson
In 2004, David Kehler, director of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble (a much too long name) asked me to write a piece for the group. As it so happened, we were taking a giant family trip with the family to Vail, where our son, John Michael, had secured through an auction, a week at Trammel Crow’s summer place. It slept 19 and was a magnificent place. The view out of the 2-story front window, which ran the full length of the house was incredible. Mountains in the distance. Rolling clouds. The third green of the Vail Country Club golf course. And, of course, it was on the side of a mountain which we explored on the never-ending switchback trails.
Anyway…It was my idea going there to find inspiration to write the piece I was asked to write. Almost always the first thing I do when writing a piece is to name it, which I did. I called it “Mountain Hymns,” and my intent was to illustrate the majesty of the mountains using rising phrases, the sounds of the mountains, the stars in the blackest of skies, the wicked lightning in far-away clouds over the mountains and, of course the creatures of the mountains. I wanted to weave in some Native American tunes that I thought enhance the illustration. I wanted the mystery of the forest to be a part of the piece. You know, you’ve been to the mountains. It is a spiritual experience.
So, here is “Mountain Hymns.” And…I have also attached a little album art. One of our favorite paintings from my brother-in-art, Arthur Budge, artiste and gentleman. The photo does not do the work justice.
Mountain Hymns is published by Lovebird Music.