Little Mountain Pastorale

From the composer: I'm quite nostalgic about my childhood memories of growing up in San Bernardino. I remember stopping by Boston Market to grab a steaming-hot order of macaroni, dealing with the perils of the Santa Ana winds in autumn, and waiting at the bus stop in my color-blocked windbreaker (it was the 90s after all!). I'm particularly wistful about how much more space we had in our little suburb on the "north end." The rolling hills lay virtually untouched by development, bringing us reprieve from the nearby cities' hustle and bustle. Today, if you run a Google search for "San Bernardino," one image I bet you won't find is a shepherd guiding his flock through the lush, emerald grasses of Little Mountain in the spring. But that very real scene from my childhood made waiting for the bus to preschool at that time much more exciting! To this day, these fond memories of my hometown inspire me to share my gratitude for our community whenever I can. Therefore, when the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association granted me the opportunity to conduct the 2023 Elementary Honor Orchestra, I immediately thought of dedicating a piece to this particular pastoral memory. From sixth through twelfth grade, I looked forward to springtime performances with the SBCMEA Honor Orchestra at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapelthe very stage where Little Mountain Pastorale premiered on February 25th, 2023, decades after that hillside became a small plaza and the flock ceased to visit us. I felt honored to mentor and "shepherd" students whose position I was in many seasons ago. Together, we brought fond memories to life while forging new ones to carry with us as the years go by. To the students of the SBCMEA Elementary Honor Orchestra: May you continue to find joy in your musical journey and be a light in this world, wherever your aspirations take you! Sakari Dixon Vanderveer