River of Hope (Based on Down to the River to Pray)

Composer: Michael Sweeney
Instrument: Concert Band

Song List:
River Of Hope

Instrumentation:
FULL SCORE
FLUTE
OBOE
BASSOON
BB CLARINET 1
BB CLARINET 2
BB BASS CLARINET
EB ALTO SAXOPHONE 1
EB ALTO SAXOPHONE 2
BB TENOR SAXOPHONE
EB BARITONE SAXOPHONE
BB TRUMPET 1
BB TRUMPET 2
F HORN
TROMBONE
BARITONE B.C.
BARITONE T.C.
TUBA
CONVERTIBLE BASS LINE
PERCUSSION 1
PERCUSSION 2
TIMPANI
MALLET PERCUSSION

Description:
The centerpiece of this work for band is the memorable Appalachian folk hymn “Down to the River to Pray,” which was featured in the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou? Interspersed with this melody is a faster original theme that provides a complementary yet contrasting tone to the emotional statements of the folk hymn. Richly scored and flowingly beautiful. Dur: 4:25 (Grade 2-1/2)
Difficulty: 2.5