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Full Orchestra
String Orchestra
Wind Ensemble
Vocal
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
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In the fall of 2024, an unimaginable tragedy befell the Western North Carolina region. Hurricane Helene tore through Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina on its way to hitting the Appalachian mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. No one was prepared for what was about to happen. 500 miles inland, hurricane force winds downed countless trees, taking out power to millions. More than twenty inches of rain fell on already saturated ground. The water had nowhere to go but gather in the normally calm rivers, many of which crested over twenty feet higher than usual. A once-in-a-century flood changed the landscape and devastated towns and neighborhoods, leading to hundreds of lost lives and billions in property and infrastructure damage. For months after the storm, the region struggled to recover, gradually rebuilding roads and buildings that had been washed away. It was heartwarming to see the community rally to support those most in need, but the effects of the storm will be felt across the region for generations to come.
This piece is my reflection on the experience of living through Helene. I remember being cut off from the rest of the world, with no internet or cell phone access for days at my home. I remember being surrounded by broken and twisted trees and scarred landscapes dotted with mudslides. I remember hearing the military helicopters continuously flying overhead to deliver supplies to towns no longer accessible via washed away roads and bridges. My university, Appalachian State, became a community center to help those less fortunate in Boone.
When I came across the 1975 song Muddy Water by the American bluegrass band The Seldom Scene, I was struck by how its description of a flood from generations ago resonated with our collective experience during Helene. The title River's Rising is a lyric from the song that is repeated many times, and the main theme of this piece is loosely derived from the song's melody. Representing the people of this beautiful region, this theme grows as more instruments are added to the texture, but as the storm begins, a new gesture emerges. Utilizing indeterminate rhythms, groups of instruments begin to imitate the texture of water. As this new idea expands, it inundates the original melody, which tries desperately to be heard over the rising water. Eventually the water recedes and the full ensemble plays a grand statement of the original melody, finally overcoming its greatest challenge. At the end, the opening oboe melody returns, but it is now joined by other woodwinds, no longer alone.
River's Rising was commissioned by a consortium of wind ensembles:
Appalachian State University, John Stanley Ross, consortium organizer
A.C. Reynolds High School, Clif Dodson
Ardrey Kell High School Wind Ensemble, Andrew Francis
Augusta University, Isaac Brinberg
Batavia High School Wind Ensemble, Chris Owen and Brian Van Kley
Cardinal Gibbons High School Wind Ensemble, Mark Cashin
Catawba College, J. Ben Jones
Christopher Newport University, Mark P. Johnson
Cuthbertson High School Tri-M Chapter 6143, Todd Ebert
Davie County High School, Matthew Brusseau
East Chapel Hill High School, Ryan Ellefsen
East Tennessee State University Bands, Christian Zembower
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School Bands, David Blumenthal and Kimberly Arazosa
Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, Barry D. Martin
Grand Street Community Band, David Blumenthal
Green Level High School Band, Brian Myers
High Point University, Brian Meixner
Houghton University, William Perrine
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Tim Paul
Lenoir-Rhyne University, Tyler Stark
Mars Hill University, Dr. J.T. Womack
Matthews Concert Band, Ann Ward
Ooltewah High School Symphony Band, Michael Griffith
Piedmont Wind Symphony, Mark A. Norman, Artistic Director/Conductor
Purdue University Bands, Dr. David M. Blon
Ravenscroft School, Dr. Kelly Nivison and Matthew Parunak
Rowan University, Joseph Higgins
Rutgers University Symphony Band, Dr. Julia Baumanis
Southeastern Louisiana Wind Symphony, Robert Schwartz
Stanly County Concert Band, Carmella Hedrick, Tim Hedrick, and Frank Poolos
The Bands of Freedom, Morganton, NC - Jonathan D. Chesson, Director of Bands
University of Delaware Symphonic Band, Brooke H. Johnson
University of Florida Symphonic Band, Jay Watkins
University of Illinois Bands, Kevin M. Geraldi
University of Louisville Symphonic Band, Amy Acklin
University of North Carolina Asheville, Emily Mariko Eng
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Bands, Jonathan Caldwell
University of North Carolina Pembroke, Dr. Tim Altman
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Dr. Jonathan Helmick
UW-Milwaukee Youth Wind & Percussion Ensemble, Scott Corley
Wake Forest University, Tim Heath
Washtenaw International High School and Middle Academy, Brooke Pierson
Western Carolina University Wind Ensemble, Margaret Underwood
Wingate University, Daniel Johnson
Individuals: Lt. Cmdr. Luis Espinosa, US Navy; Armand V. Hall, II; Donald Morris; April Oster; Donald Peach; Frances Shelton; Chris Tkacik; Ann Ward
Duration: ca 7'30"
Wind Ensemble Instrumentation
- Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Bassoons, 1 Contrabassoon
- 3 Clarinets in Bb, 1 Bass Clarinet in Bb, 1 Contrabass Clarinet in Bb
- 2 Alto Saxophones in Eb, 1 Tenor Saxophone in Bb, 1 Baritone Saxophone in Eb
- 3 Trumpets in B flat, 4 Horns in F, 3 Trombones, 1 Euphonium, 1 Tuba
- Timpani, 5 Percussion
- Harp (optional), Piano (optional)
- Contrabass
The contrabass, contrabassoon and contrabass clarinet parts are optional, as well as the harp and piano parts.
Percussion required: Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Marimba, Suspended Cymbal, Tam-tam, Bass Drum.
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