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Inclina aurem tuam

for concert band - Grade IV

Inclina aurem tuam: Text
Inclina aurem tuam: Featured Product

Instrumentation

Flute 1 & 2

Oboe

Clarinet 1, 2, 3

Bass clarinet (optional)

Bassoon (optional)

Alto Saxophone 1 & 2

Tenor Saxophone

Baritone Saxophone

Horn in F

Trumpet 1, 2, 3

Trombone 1, 2, 3

Euphonium

Tuba

String Bass (optional)

Piano (optional)

Timpani

Percussion 1 (Vibraphone)

Percussion 2 (Chimes, Marimba)

Percussion 3 (Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tenor Drum)

Percussion 4 (Suspended Cymbal, Glockenspiel, Triangle, Tam-Tam, Wood-blocks)

Inclina aurem tuam: Text

Program Notes

Inclina aurem tuam is a fantasia upon the communion antiphon for the thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, the text of which is a universal plea for divine help: "incline your ear, make haste to rescue us." The piece presents the chant in six different guises: solemn incantation, intimate love song, impatient battle-cry, a repeat of the battle-cry soaring above a 16th-century setting of the Inclina aurem tuam chant by Heinrich Isaac, a return of the love song, and a simple, humble prayer. These are framed and supported by four pillars, the four phrases of the chant in chorale setting. The last pillar is a joyous realization that prayers were heard.


This piece is a celebration of the community at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. The use of the chant honors the monks of St. Benedict Abbey and the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, who have kept alive the use of these ancient melodies in the liturgy of today. The piece seeks to honor the college which is built upon 1500 years of Benedictine tradition and in which I have been invited to participate as teacher and composer. And finally, the piece is a gift to the students of the college, who requested expanding the concert band repertoire to include works honoring the Catholic tradition.

Inclina aurem tuam: Text
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