Appalachian Dreams: Flute
By Roland Barrett
Grade: 4 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0017527_F1
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Description
Based on material borrowed from two English folk songs that were popular in the Southern Appalachians during the early years of American history---"Going to Boston" and "Soldier, Won't You Marry Me?". After a very peaceful and tranquil opening, a bold, powerful statement leads to a dreamlike, mesmerizing section. With a powerful percussion contribution, the driving conclusion resounds. An epic work, this is a striking addition to symphonic band literature. (4:45)
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Symphonic Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
280
SKU:
00-PC-0017527_F1
More about this title
About the Composer: Roland Barrett
Roland Barrett holds the position of music theory and composition faculty member at the University of Oklahoma, where he has taught since 2001. His academic focus centers on 20th century music, with responsibilities spanning undergraduate and graduate instruction in both theory and composition. Beyond the classroom, Barrett arranges music for the Pride of Oklahoma marching band and has become a prolific composer with more than two hundred published works for symphonic band, chamber ensembles, and marching groups.
Barrett's compositions have reached audiences across the country through performances by the Dallas Wind Symphony, All-State and All-Region honor bands, and broadcasts on National Public Radio and cable television. His work has been showcased at major conferences including the Midwest Band & Orchestra Convention and the International Trumpet Guild convention. A multiple recipient of the ASCAPlus award, Barrett's contributions to band literature continue to shape repertoire performed in concert halls and rehearsal rooms nationwide.
Why we love this
This piece anchors itself in genuine American musical heritage without sacrificing contemporary compositional craft. The architectural journey from serene opening through bold statement to hypnotic middle section to a driving finale gives conductors and students a roadmap through musical drama, making it as rewarding to teach as it is to perform.
What to expect
The music unfolds like a memory half-recalled. It begins in stillness, builds to a powerful assertion, then draws you into a dreamlike reverie before surging forward with unstoppable energy. The percussion colors deepen the emotional landscape throughout, grounding the folk melody in a distinctly American sound.
Who it's for
Grade 4 concert bands ready for works that blend musical substance with accessibility. This score serves directors programming festival or contest events who want a piece that builds student musicianship while delivering genuine impact.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the tranquil opening so that it establishes genuine calm before the bold statement arrives; rushing this section weakens the emotional contrast the piece depends on.
- Give the percussion section ownership of the driving conclusion; their rhythmic power anchors the final push and prevents the band from sagging into the finish.
- Shape the dreamlike mesmerizing section with careful attention to dynamics and sustained tone quality; this is where the folk song material reveals its lyrical core.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a patriotic or American heritage concert, or as a strong contest selection where its four-minute-forty-five-second duration and musical arc allow judges to hear a complete musical story. The balance of accessibility and sophistication makes it an ideal festival piece that challenges students without overwhelming them.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining tone quality across tempo and dynamic changes
- Responding to subtle conducted gestures during rubato and transitional passages
- Balancing harmonic texture in the dreamlike section
- Coordinating rhythmic precision with the percussion during the driving conclusion
- Performing folk-derived melody with musical style and phrasing