And May We Always Cherish
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Reflective, lyrical work with solos in alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone (or euphonium), tuba, flute, oboe (or clarinet), horn (or saxophone)
Grade 3 4 minutes Commissioned by THE GRANVILLE ARTS BOOSTERS IN GRANVILLE, OHIO DEDICATED TO THE GRANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BAND IN HONOR OF THE CLASS OF 2020. JEROD SMITH & ANDREW KRUMM, DIRECTORS |
RECORDING
Program Note
To cherish means to hold dear; to keep or cultivate with care and affection. The title of this work comes from a lyric sung in the Granville Ohio High School Alma Mater and reflects the sentiment of cherishing time together. Anyone who has ever played in band knows that something very special is created in that time together; something intangible, beyond the music; something deeper that connects the performers, director, and audience members. May we all cherish the time we have together whether specifically in band class or with family and friends more generally. This work is dedicated to the Granville High School Band in honor of the class of 2020.
A note from the consortium director, Jerod Smith
In early 2019, I reached out to Dr. Taylor to commission a new work after an excellent interaction we had while preparing and performing his piece, “Seeds of Glass.” The Granville bands class of 2020 (juniors at the time) were a very special class to us directors as they were the first class we had taught from day one of 6th grade band through graduation. Seven years we had together teaching these wonderfully talented and dedicated students. Everything was going well to premiere the piece in the spring with the class of 2020 being featured on many solos. Just a week after district large group contest, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and our time with these amazing seniors was cut short.
Through the pandemic of 2020-21, the meaning of the word “cherish” became more clear than ever. I began to cherish life and experiences in a whole new manner. As a band director, making music has always been something I cherished, but never in the same way as was made evident by the loss of time, rehearsals, performances and the sense of “normal” that we were once used to.
Almost a full year later, we were in school, wearing masks, rehearsing six feet apart sitting in the seats of the auditorium with the percussion in front of us. However, we were just starting to see the light at the end of the very long tunnel. After speaking to the senior class of 2021, we decided to conquer the task of preparing and premiering “And May We Always Cherish” with a whole new purpose and meaning. On May 5, 2021, we performed this piece still wearing masks and seated six feet apart from one another, and still reminded of the things we cherish most. It was wonderful to premiere this piece with Dr. Taylor at our concert and rehearsal, and what an inspiration he provided for a heartfelt and meaningful performance of such a beautiful piece of music.
In early 2019, I reached out to Dr. Taylor to commission a new work after an excellent interaction we had while preparing and performing his piece, “Seeds of Glass.” The Granville bands class of 2020 (juniors at the time) were a very special class to us directors as they were the first class we had taught from day one of 6th grade band through graduation. Seven years we had together teaching these wonderfully talented and dedicated students. Everything was going well to premiere the piece in the spring with the class of 2020 being featured on many solos. Just a week after district large group contest, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and our time with these amazing seniors was cut short.
Through the pandemic of 2020-21, the meaning of the word “cherish” became more clear than ever. I began to cherish life and experiences in a whole new manner. As a band director, making music has always been something I cherished, but never in the same way as was made evident by the loss of time, rehearsals, performances and the sense of “normal” that we were once used to.
Almost a full year later, we were in school, wearing masks, rehearsing six feet apart sitting in the seats of the auditorium with the percussion in front of us. However, we were just starting to see the light at the end of the very long tunnel. After speaking to the senior class of 2021, we decided to conquer the task of preparing and premiering “And May We Always Cherish” with a whole new purpose and meaning. On May 5, 2021, we performed this piece still wearing masks and seated six feet apart from one another, and still reminded of the things we cherish most. It was wonderful to premiere this piece with Dr. Taylor at our concert and rehearsal, and what an inspiration he provided for a heartfelt and meaningful performance of such a beautiful piece of music.
PERUSAL SCORE
| andmaywealwayscherish_score_perusal.pdf |
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