William G. Harbinson

Evensong is a beautiful ballad in standard song (ABA) form with a brief coda. The lyric nature of the composition offers opportunities to develop the ensemble’s expressive playing with concentration on tone, intonation, balance, and phrasing. The contrasting B section features the woodwind voices and moves through several non-traditional key areas (B, D, C major) before returning to the tonic key (E-flat major) for a varied restatement of the A section. The coda provides a quiet and peaceful conclusion. (3:45)

Commissioned by the South Stokes Band Boosters of North Carolina, Legend of the Saura is a tribute to the Saura Indians who lived in what today is Stokes County. The piece opens with a vibrant flourish of woodwinds and percussion that immediately leads into the pensive yet driving main theme. The contrasting middle section pulls back to a reflective and mysterious solo for recorder (or optional flute), accompanied by exotic percussion instruments. Then, the beautiful theme is continued by solo trumpet, making for a truly incredible moment.