Blue Reminiscence

Blue Reminiscence was composed at the request of one of my former students, Camarion Hope, who is a member of the Hunter Huss High School Band, and the Hunter Huss High School Class of 2026. He related to me that he wanted this piece to start our expressing the sentimental feelings arising from the great memories of the hard work, dedication, and commitment that he and his 2026 classmates in Band gave for their Band and their School during their high school careers. Yet he also wanted this piece to be a celebration of all of the great performances and accomplishments of the Husky Band, and all of the fun and laughter they shared along the way. With that, I prayed and pondered over what this all should sound like. The melody that resulted in my mind’s ear is the opening baritone solo that begins this piece. This solo is A cappella because it is the most simple way to express such depth of the sentiment these students feel towards their Band. This melody is more fully developed in this Ballad style as we add the accompaniment and more sections of the band. Then this slow, gentle sentimental movement becomes faster and more upbeat with the energetic percussion introduction to a rousing Fanfare Celebration embracing the high-energy fun and excitement these Senior Band members have experienced over their high school careers! It features the same opening melody introduced by the Baritone, but in a fun Fanfare/ March style. And, as every Band is truly the heartbeat of its school community, I thought it fitting to work in a brief statement of the Hunter Huss High School fight song, the “Notre Dame Victory March”, a tune which the Marching Band Seniors played so many times over their high school career that they probably played it in their sleep! This fight song is not included in the final published edition of this piece. It is my pleasure to dedicate this piece, “Blue Reminiscence: Psalm of Remembrance ~ Celebration of Joy”, titled for the Hunter Huss High School Huskies Carolina Blue school color, in honor of the Hunter Huss High School Band Members, The Class of 2026, and in honor of their beautiful, talented, dedicated and devoted Director of Bands, Ms. Heaven Watson-Weary!