Be Thou My Vision

PROGRAM NOTES: From hymnary.org: "SLANE is an old Irish folk tune associated with the ballad "With My Love on the Road" in Patrick W. Joyce's Old Irish Folk Music and Songs (1909). It became a hymn tune when it was arranged by David Evans (PHH 285) and set to the Irish hymn "Be Thou My Vision" published in the Church Hymnary (1927). SLANE is named for a hill in County Meath, Ireland, where St. Patrick's lighting of an Easter firean act of defiance against the pagan king Loegaire (fifth century)led to his unlimited freedom to preach the gospel in Ireland. This setting of SLANE takes a variations approach to the tune with three recognizable but distinct interpretations. The first is an intimate and contemplative interpretation, followed by a jig, which is fitting for the tune's Irish background, and the third is a majestic chorale. Snippets of "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" (CWM RHONDDA) appear during interludes. Robert Myers S.D.G. wheatmyermusic.com TO THE DIRECTOR: This arrangement was written for a smaller ensemble, recognizing that few church orchestras have a symphonic size string section. It features alto flute and solo violin carrying the melody or providing colorful counterpoint. Other than these featured players other instruments are hardly asked to carry an independent line. Doubling is prevalent allowing for a lot of flexibility in instrumentation and coverage of missing parts or the director may specify strategic tacets to present additional color and texture. Optional doubling parts are provided for alto (dbls. alto flt.) and tenor saxophone (dbls. Cl. 3).