Colors of Peace

Colors of Peace was written in March 2018 for the wonderful students of the MSBOA District 16 8/9 Grade Honors Band. The piece is a fanfare for the concert band that creates an exhilarating opening and finish with different colors (sonorities) of the band being presented in the middle. The opening thematic material is based from the early canon Dona Nobis Pacem (Latin for Grant Us Peace) with a quick repetitive, easy-to-finger, sixteenth note obligato in the upper woodwinds. Be careful to not let the obligato or the alto voice layer, which has shape and direction, to overcome the brass fanfare. The subito p in measure 11 introduces a rising scale idea that is used to propel the piece into the next section. The melody in measure 19 displays the hemiola rhythm of this piece, which creates the complexity of combining 3/4 and 6/8 rhythm ideas. The main melody of the song is in measure 35 with the upper woodwinds and should be graceful like a waltz. Measures 55 to 83 are a development of these themes to feature different sonority groupings of the band. Contrast the tone colors of the lows to the highs, and the wood sounds from the metal sounds. During the recap, please note the countermelody used at measure 107 and allow that to soar over the top. The chords in measures 136 and 138 help set up the exciting finish letting the timpani player shine