The Fire Within

SKU: CF.CM9587

ISBN 9781491154090. UPC: 680160912599. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: C major. English. Transcribed by Wilson Hall. Hidegaard Von Bingen translated by William Hall.

I am the secret fire in all things, scored for SSAA divisi and two soprano soloists, was premiered by the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jon Washbun, conductor, in November 2008. The Hildegard von Bingen text, translated by Wilson Hall (deceased professor of English at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia and dear friend), is a text that fosters many opportunities to depict the mysterious nature of God, His transcendence into all the human experience, and the hope, through vulnerability, that resonates in the gravamen for individual transubstantiation through the struggles inherent in Life's Stuff. This composition celebrates the transforming power of spirituality, the evolution of the human spirit when one amalgamates with unknowing, and the ecstasy that saturates Life when one acknowledges the God Presence already within.  .
I am the secret fire in all things, scored for SSAA divisi and two soprano soloists, was premiered by the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jon Washbun, conductor, in November 2008. The Hildegard von Bingen text, translated by Wilson Hall (deceased professor of English at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia and dear friend), is a text that fosters many opportunities to depict the mysterious nature of God, His transcendence into all the human experience, and the hope, through vulnerability, that resonates in the gravamen for individual transubstantiation through the struggles inherent in Life's Stuff. This composition celebrates the transforming power of spirituality, the evolution of the human spirit when one amalgamates with unknowing, and the ecstasy that saturates Life when one acknowledges the God Presence already within.  .
I am the secret fire in all things, scored for SSAA divisi and two soprano soloists, was premiered by the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jon Washbun, conductor, in November 2008. The Hildegard von Bingen text, translated by Wilson Hall (deceased professor of English at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia and dear friend), is a text that fosters many opportunities to depict the mysterious nature of God, His transcendence into all the human experience, and the hope, through vulnerability, that resonates in the gravamen for individual transubstantiation through the struggles inherent in Life's Stuff. This composition celebrates the transforming power of spirituality, the evolution of the human spirit when one amalgamates with unknowing, and the ecstasy that saturates Life when one acknowledges the God Presence already within.  .
I am the secret fire in all things, scored for SSAA divisi and two soprano soloists, was premiered by the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jon Washbun, conductor, in November 2008. The Hildegard von Bingen text, translated by Wilson Hall (deceased professor of English at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia and dear friend), is a text that fosters many opportunities to depict the mysterious nature of God, His transcendence into all the human experience, and the hope, through vulnerability, that resonates in the gravamen for individual transubstantiation through the struggles inherent in Life's Stuff.This composition celebrates the transforming power of spirituality, the evolution of the human spirit when one amalgamates with unknowing, and the ecstasy that saturates Life when one acknowledges the God Presence already within. .

SKU: CF.YPS217

ISBN 9781491156544. UPC: 680160915088. 9 x 12 inches.

Hope Remains Within was commissioned by and composed for the Mount Nittany Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Concert Bands. Having heard the students of Mount Nittany perform another work of mine, I was very excited when their director, Johanna Steinbacher, approached me about writing a piece specifically for them. I knew right away that I wanted to write something that would tie in with their non-music curriculum in some way, but I wasn't exactly sure how, or what. Johanna talked to some of her students and learned that, in 7th grade, the students spend a good deal of time studying mythology in their English class. In particular, two clarinet students mentioned how much they enjoyed the story of Pandora. As such, I decided to use that story as the basis of this composition. Hope Remains Within doesn't attempt to re-tell the story, event by event, in musical terms. Instead, my goal was to address what seems to be one of the central issues of the Pandora myth. Though there are some variations, we probably all know the basics as told by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod. Zeus decides to punish Prometheus for stealing fire from heaven and giving it to humans. He and the other gods create Pandora, a beautiful and deceitful woman, and they give her to Prometheus's brother Epimetheus as a bride. Pandora is herself given a jar (according to many sources, jar seems to be a more accurate translation for what we commonly call Pandora's box) which contained numerous evils, diseases, and other pains. Out of curiosity, Pandora opens the jar and releases all of these evils into the world. But one thing remains in the jar: hope. The issue of hope seems to be one of the big interpretive questions of the Pandora myth. Why does hope remain within the jar? Why doesn't it come out of the jar to help humanity? Is hope being held on a pedestal of some sort? Is hope deliberately withheld from humanity? Why was hope in the jar with all those evils in the first place? I'm not enough of a mythological scholar to claim to have definitive answers to those questions, but these are the questions that I've tried to engage from a musical perspective in Hope Remains Within. I encourage the students and listeners to consider their own ideas of what hope is, and where you can find your own hope when needed. Musically, Hope Remains Within draws one of its main themes from the Prometheus Symphony by Alexander Skryabin (Scriabin). The note sequence F-D-Gb -F, heard near Hope's beginning played by alto saxophones and chimes, comes from the opening measures of Skyrabin's work. Given the important role that Prometheus plays in the Pandora myth, this seemed like an appropriate musical gesture to quote. This Prometheus motive is varied throughout the course of the piece, and even provides closure at the end, recast in a major key. Additionally, I have tried to involve a manageable amount of chromaticism in this piece. I have worked from the key of Bb major, no doubt familiar to every student who has ever played an instrument in a band. But I have added three extra notes: Db, Gb, and Ab, which are drawn from the key of Bb minor. During the piece's slow opening, I have allowed these minor key pitches to mingle freely within the Bb major tonality, adding extra color and (I hope!) beauty. As the piece progresses, though, the tempo increases, and we lose sense of the Bb major key entirely, and these extra notes play a more important role. But finally, Bb major returns triumphantly and all the extra notes are gone, except for a brief memory near the very end. (Ok, there are a couple of E-naturals that sneak in there along the way. I couldn't resist.).
Hope Remains Within was commissioned by and composed for the Mount Nittany Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Concert Bands. Having heard the students of Mount Nittany perform another work of mine, I was very excited when their director, Johanna Steinbacher, approached me about writing a piece specifically for them. I knew right away that I wanted to write something that would tie in with their non-music curriculum in some way, but I wasn’t exactly sure how, or what. Johanna talked to some of her students and learned that, in 7th grade, the students spend a good deal of time studying mythology in their English class. In particular, two clarinet students mentioned how much they enjoyed the story of Pandora.As such, I decided to use that story as the basis of this composition. Hope Remains Within doesn’t attempt to re-tell the story, event by event, in musical terms. Instead, my goal was to address what seems to be one of the central issues of the Pandora myth. Though there are some variations, we probably all know the basics as told by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod. Zeus decides to punish Prometheus for stealing fire from heaven and giving it to humans. He and the other gods create Pandora, a beautiful and deceitful woman, and they give her to Prometheus’s brother Epimetheus as a bride. Pandora is herself given a jar (according to many sources, “jar” seems to be a more accurate translation for what we commonly call “Pandora’s box”) which contained numerous evils, diseases, and other pains. Out of curiosity, Pandora opens the jar and releases all of these evils into the world. But one thing remains in the jar: hope.The issue of hope seems to be one of the big interpretive questions of the Pandora myth. Why does hope remain within the jar? Why doesn’t it come out of the jar to help humanity? Is hope being held on a pedestal of some sort? Is hope deliberately withheld from humanity? Why was hope in the jar with all those evils in the first place?I’m not enough of a mythological scholar to claim to have definitive answers to those questions, but these are the questions that I’ve tried to engage from a musical perspective in Hope Remains Within. I encourage the students and listeners to consider their own ideas of what hope is, and where you can find your own hope when needed.Musically, Hope Remains Within draws one of its main themes from the Prometheus Symphony by Alexander Skryabin (Scriabin). The note sequence F-D-Gb -F, heard near Hope’s beginning played by alto saxophones and chimes, comes from the opening measures of Skyrabin’s work. Given the important role that Prometheus plays in the Pandora myth, this seemed like an appropriate musical gesture to quote. This Prometheus motive is varied throughout the course of the piece, and even provides closure at the end, recast in a major key.Additionally, I have tried to involve a manageable amount of chromaticism in this piece. I have worked from the key of Bb major, no doubt familiar to every student who has ever played an instrument in a band. But I have added three extra notes: Db, Gb, and Ab, which are drawn from the key of Bb minor. During the piece’s slow opening, I have allowed these minor key pitches to mingle freely within the Bb major tonality, adding extra color and (I hope!) beauty. As the piece progresses, though, the tempo increases, and we lose sense of the Bb major key entirely, and these extra notes play a more important role. But finally, Bb major returns triumphantly and all the extra notes are gone, except for a brief memory near the very end. (Ok, there are a couple of E-naturals that sneak in there along the way. I couldn’t resist.).

SKU: CL.011-4260-01

Desert Fire is a powerful work that provides young bands the opportunity to perform music that is exciting, moving, and expressive without being unnecessarily difficult. Instrument ranges are kept within one octave, and there are no accidentals, key changes, or awkward rhythms, making Desert Fire very accessible for young bands. With expanded percussion parts, driving rhythms and dramatic melodies, Desert Fire is sure to be an enjoyable and memorable addition to any concert.

About C.L. Barnhouse Command Series

The Barnhouse Command Series includes works at grade levels 2, 2.5, and 3. This series is designed for middle school and junior high school bands, as well as high school bands of smaller instrumentation or limited experience. Command Series publications have a slightly larger instrumentation than the Rising Band Series, and are typically of larger scope, duration, and musical content.

SKU: AP.29441

UPC: 038081324241. English.

October 28, 2007 began as a typically beautiful Southern California day. But as the composer sat at his piano writing this composition, he became aware of a major firestorm raging within a few miles of his house. Dense smoke filled the air and a steady stream of helicopters flew into the local reservoir to fill up with water to battle the flames. John O'Reilly has crafted a remarkable piece that captures the drama of this event. (3:25)

Correlated with Accent on Achievement, Book 2, page 23.

SKU: KN.9765

UPC: 822795097658.

The rapid pace and tight rhythms of this grade 2 original will help students develop quick and crisp bowing technique. A fast and furious theme requires precision in playing staccato and hooked bowings while managing string crossings, resulting in a great teaching piece and concert feature. This piece remains within first position with just a few slurs and 16th-note patterns. Duration 2:05.

SKU: KN.09765S

UPC: 822795097658.

The rapid pace and tight rhythms of this grade 2 original will help students develop quick and crisp bowing technique. A fast and furious theme requires precision in playing staccato and hooked bowings while managing string crossings, resulting in a great teaching piece and concert feature. This piece remains within first position with just a few slurs and 16th-note patterns. Duration 2:05.