Commissioned by the 2009 East Stroudsburg South High School Band.  Chris Ritter, director (Kyle Glaser on sabbatical)

A combination of four popular American folk songs: Little Liza Jane; Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair; All the Pretty Little Horses and Sweet Betsy from Pike. Includes many moments of independent writing and chamber-music-like passages.

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Composer's Bio

Video

Commissioned by James Martini and the 1994 East Stroudsburg High School Band for their sixtieth year anniversary. 

The composer says, "When I conceived the original idea for the piece, I was motivated by the long history of this nationally recognized band program. I had visions of performances throughout the past sixty years - performances filled with wonderful music and appreciative audiences. This led to the title for the work, Ovations , which refers to the sixty years of ovations received by the East Stroudsburg High School Band at the Annual Spring Band Concert. In a way, this piece also serves as an ovation itself for the many students who have proudly performed with the band over the years.

The piece is structured in a rough sonata allegro form, with a slow introduction that features the percussion and two trombone soloists. The first theme brings a faster tempo and a fanfare-like quality that gives way to a lyrical second theme. The development also serves as a middle section to the work before a recapitulation brings back the opening material"

Notable Achievements: winner of the 1995 Claude T. Smith Memorial Band Composition Contest 

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Composer's Website

Video (Boysen conducting)