Awakened Like the Morn: Timpani
Music by Robert Sheldon
Item: 00-PC-0000661_TMP
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Description
This stirring composition was inspired by Ann Terry's poem "In Every Age" and was commissioned by the Ottawa Elementary and High School Music Fest held in Ottawa, Illinois. Originally conceived as a song, the lyrical quality of the piece comes shining through in the various moods of the piece, from spirited to wistful to triumphant! A tremendous addition to the young band repertoire.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Awakened Like the Morn: Timpani comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Symphonic
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
272
SKU:
00-PC-0000661_TMP
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon stands among the most frequently performed composers in the wind band world. His works have appeared on countless state and national festival lists, and his music echoes through concert halls and rehearsal rooms from Tokyo to Berlin. Sheldon's recognition extends across the music education profession through major awards from the American School Band Directors Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP, reflecting compositions that balance artistic integrity with accessibility for student ensembles.
Beyond composing, Sheldon shaped instrumental music education as lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band. His calendar fills with invitations to guest conduct All-State and regional honor bands, present clinics at universities and state conferences, and accept commissions for new works. He has premiered his compositions at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall, and the Kennedy Center, and received an honorary doctorate from VanderCook College of Music in 2020.
Why we love this
Sheldon crafts pieces that honor the lyrical song traditions of wind band literature while remaining accessible to young ensembles. The emotional arc here—spirited to wistful to triumphant—gives conductors natural phrasing points and clear programming purpose, making this both musically rewarding and straightforward to teach. A commissioned work rooted in poetry brings genuine narrative weight that young musicians can hear and express.
What to expect
The lyrical DNA of this piece shines through every section. You hear song-like phrasing and vocal sensibility woven into the band texture, creating moments of introspection alongside bursts of celebratory energy. The overall arc feels like a journey of awakening, mirroring the poem that inspired it.
Who it's for
Young concert bands seeking a piece with genuine musical substance and emotional variety. The work sits comfortably within the reach of developing ensembles while demanding musicality and control that will deepen their artistry.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the lyrical passages so that the inner voices singing the melody emerge clearly; young bands often bury expressive lines in thick textures, so consider adjusting the standard dynamic levels during rehearsal.
- Shape the transitions between moods deliberately. Mark the score to identify where the spirited sections yield to wistful material, then drill those gear shifts in isolated sections before running them full.
- Let the triumph land with conviction at the final section. Young bands sometimes rush into the climax or diminish the final statements out of nerves; lock in the tempo and encourage the ensemble to trust the harmonic support underneath the top voices.
How to use it
This is an ideal centerpiece for a festival appearance or concert celebrating new works and commissions. The emotional trajectory and approachable difficulty make it equally suitable for a formal contest or a community concert where you want to showcase your band's musical growth without overwhelming younger players.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing lyrical lines within a full ensemble texture
- Executing clear dynamic and mood transitions
- Balancing expressive layers and inner voice independence
- Sustaining tone and intonation through longer phrases
- Following a multi-section emotional narrative