Evergreens on Copeland Creek

The title of this piece was inspired by the bookends of my formal music education in Sonoma County, starting at Evergreen Elementary School and ending at Sonoma State University, both in Rohnert Park, CA. I would ride my bike along Copeland Creek to get to class at SSU, just like I rode my bike (along a different creek) to get to class when I was a kid. This piece was composed for my 2021/22 aBlue Banda at Hillcrest, which is made up of mostly 1st and 2nd year players. Make sure to encourage unmarked quarter notes in the winds to be played at their full value. There is some extra emphasis on this concept with tenutos specifically marked throughout. The key change at m.45 and the preceding measures present a great opportunity to discuss key signatures with younger musicians. The percussion will let all their instruments ring at the end until the sound has dissipated. There is melodic material throughout the ensemble, giving everyone their time in the spotlight.