Joy Be To You All

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Perhaps this famous line from Shakespeare is the overarching sentiment in the Scotch-Irish folk song “The Parting Glass”. I have found this saying and feeling to be true when we are surrounded by those who make us better in different parts of our life. I am thankful for and count Bill Stowman as one of those people. It was an honor when he asked me to write for the group he conducts, The Greater Harrisburg Concert Band in celebration of their 40th year. Kudos to Dave Getz who worked to secure support for this commission. The band is made up of friends and colleagues in that region, and their debut of the work this past summer was wonderful!

I am looking forward to sharing this setting with my former colleagues and the students of PMEA District 5 this January. After teaching in that region for 22 years, I always look forward to reconnecting with these friends through music and life, as well as meeting the new directors who are now coming up through the ranks. I am thankful to Kit Keiper (Hopewell) and Wendy Lewis (Central Valley) for extending me the invitation to be the guest clinician at the festival. The rest of the program includes works by Satoshi Yagisawa, Percy Grainger, Jodie Blackshaw, Mark Surovchak, and Frank Ticheli.

I enjoy the challenge of setting folk music and discovering new possibilities for the material in albeit new forms and styles. The opening of this setting of the “Parting Glass” is more in line with traditional performances of the song, but the second half of the piece brings back the tune over a rollicking, original slip-jig. The ending result is heartfelt, emphatic, and joyful send-off for audience and player alike. From my heart to yours, may joy be to you all!

The piece will be available in February of 2024 via the online store.