 |
Jesse Ayers |
Rachel Weeping for her Children: September 11, 2001
Veni Emmanuel
| Instrumentation | 2 (dlb picc), 2, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4, 3, 3, 1 -- Timp, 3 perc -- Harp -- Strings -
OPTIONAL SATB chorus. Can be adapted for multiply choirs, see web links for info. |
| Length | 8:30 |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Comments | This setting of the 15th century tune Veni Emmanuel, (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel) is designed to be a dramatic procesional to open a Chirstmas program. Although composed to be performed with choir, all choral parts are crossed-cued in the instrumental parts so that it may be performed without singers.
It begins dark and sombre and grows progressively brighter and more cheerful and finally festive. After the first statement of the words "Rejoice! Rejoice!" the listener will hear the brass briefly quote the hymn " Crown Him With Many Crowns." The piece closes softly, with a solo trumpet asking the question "What wondrous love is this?"
It also supports the use of multiple choirs for institutions with large choral programs.
Verse 1: Unison men (can be sung by the men's choir)
Verse 2: SSAA (can be sung by the women's choir)
Verse 3: SATB (can be sung by the mixed choir)
Verse 4: SSAATTBB (can be sung by all choirs) |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com |
| Extras | Information and at http://jesseayers.com/Works/Veni/veni_home.php |
| History | Conductor comments:
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Veni/veni_comments.php
Performance history:
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Veni/veni_perform.php |
| Contributor | the composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact |
| Other | |
Dance of the Mountain Raindrops
Fanfare for Christmas Morning
| Instrumentation | 2222 -- 4331 -- 1-3 snare drums (doubling same part), bass drum, cymbals -- strings |
| Length | 1.5 minutes |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Comments | Ruffles and flourishes on "Joy to the World." A festive opener for a Christmas/holiday concert. Band and orchestral version are in the same key to enable joint performances. Key is D major, same as carol, so that a segue can be made into an audience sing of "Joy to the World." |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Fanfare_Christmas/Fanfare_Christmas_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | mp3 at above links |
| History | Warren Symphony Orchestra, David Daniels, conducting
Malone College Symphonic Band, Cynthia Bridges, conducting |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact |
| Other | |
Jericho
| Instrumentation | 3333-4431 hp pno 3 or 6 perc (2 versions) optional SATB chorus strings |
| Length | 16 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | A dramatic surround-sound work with narration based on the Old Testament account of the battle of Jericho. Unorthodox audience participation. Haunting special effects.
"The most imaginative, unusual and successful work I have ever performed in 33 years of conducting"—Dr. Richard Fischer, Concordia University Chicago
"Last night [in Little Rock], almost the entire audience was in tears after Jericho." from email from Rich Fischer, March 5, 2006 |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Jericho/Jericho_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Band version performed 11 times around the U.S. |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact |
| Other | |
...and they gathered on Mount Carmel
| Instrumentation | 2+1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4331 -- timp+3 -- piano -- optional women's chorus -- strings |
| Length | 25 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | A dramatic, surround-sound work in three movements based on the Old Testament account of the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal. The brass are divided into two antiphonal choirs on either side of the audience. There are a few other players behind the audience providing echos and special effects.
"I have conducted this work on several occasions and it always blows the audience away!" -- Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, Valparaiso University |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_0/carmel_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Performed numerous times in the band version. =
Band version selected by international jury to represent the United States at World Music Days (Slovenia) 2003. |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact |
| Other | |
The Incantations of the Prophets of Baal
| Instrumentation | 2-1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4331 -- timp+3 -- piano -- strings |
| Length | 7.5 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | Multiple layers of rhythmic patterns of differing lengths which move in and out of phase over an ever quickening harmonic cycle are used to create a hypnotic, rhythmic vitality reflecting this ritualistic dancing. The music grows increasingly wilder and more frantic as the movement progresses.
A good percussion section will love this piece. |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_1_Incantations/incantations_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Numerous performances of the band version |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact |
| Other | |
The Prayer of Elijah
The Fire of the Living God
| Instrumentation | 2+1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4331 -- timp+3 -- piano -- optional women's chorus -- strings
Several extras who twirl "whistling tubes" from behind audience |
| Length | 9 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | Massive blocks of rhythmically active sound are juxtaposed against each other. This piece consistently draws a very strong, positive reaction from the audience and performers alike. Because of this, most conductors have programmed this as their closing work.
Band version selected by international jury for performance at World Music Days 2003 (Slovenia) |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_3_Fire/fire_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Numerous performances in band version around the U.S. |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact |
| Other | |
The Passion of John Brown
| Instrumentation | 3333 4431 timp+3 pno hp str + narrator
or
2232 4331 timp+3 pno hp str + narrator |
| Length | 17-18 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | Tells the story of controversial 19th-century abolitionist John Brown (1800-1859), both the good and the bad, including many source quotations from John Brown, his offspring, the widow of a man Brown ordered murdered, and even Stonewall Jackson, who witnessed to Brown's 1859 hanging. Brown's live crossed paths with peaceful abolitionist Fredrick Douglass, Colonel Robert E. Lee (yes, colonel at the time), and a young calvary officer named J.E.B. Stuart.
This is NOT another "Lincoln Portrait;" it strives to be an even-handed presentation of the life of a man about whom historians still argue, and whose life has been described as the "meteor of war."
Musically, the piece is audience-friendly.
Christopher Wilkins, conductor and music director, Akron Symphony Orchestra, wrote: Jesse, you’ve done it. It is gripping and stirring, without being sentimental. It moves incredibly well - I can’t believe it’s 17 minutes. We’ll be on the edge of our seats. |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com |
| Extras | http://jesseayers.com/works_orch.php
|
| History | Commissioned by the Akron Symphony Orchestra in observance of the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry Oct 16-18, 1859.
Premiere October 17, 2009 (subscription concert). |
| Contributor | the composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact |
| Other | |
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