Of Song and Dance

Grade 5

14 minutes

Composed for the Virginia Tech Symphony Band.  Premiered in April 1993 with the composer conducting.

  1. Waltz
  2. Villain’s Theme
  3. Love Song
  4. Jubilee

This is my tribute to that great American institution, the Broadway musical.  Although comprised entirely of original tunes, the work attempts to recreate the spirit and style of the American musical theater from the middle of the last century.  The audience will walk away thinking ‘that music seems so familiar…’.  The waltz is tuneful and elegant.  The villain of the villain’s theme is of the sneering, curly mustache variety.  The love song is of course hopelessly romantic and lyrical, and the jubilee is an over-the-top country hoedown.