Come Down Rain: Baritone / Euphonium
By Jack Wilds
Grade: 3
Item: 98-PC-DB1748_BBC1
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Description
Inspired by an Arabic folk song of the same name, the music describes a rainstorm followed by a harvest celebration. Opening with atmospheric sounds, the music slowly increases in intensity, accompanied by the compelling sounds of a thunder sheet. A powerful percussion section joins with brass to signal the storm’s arrival before the music erupts in dance and celebration.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Concert Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1748_BBC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Jack Wilds
Jack Wilds composes across all ages and ensembles, from children's choirs to professional orchestras. His music draws inspiration from visual art, poetry, religious and philosophical texts, and pure musical form, creating works that honor where performers are while pushing them toward genuine artistry. Chamber ensembles including the Attacca Quartet, members of the New York Philharmonic, and the Atlanta Symphony have championed his compositions, and his work appears regularly on festival required lists across multiple continents.
Wilds taught public school band before joining the Texas State University faculty, where he teaches composition, music theory, ear training, and music technology. He serves as Co-Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos and clinics and adjudicates regularly across the country. Over 40 of his wind ensemble and choral works are published for developing musicians, with performances at the Midwest Clinic, the International Trombone Festival, and educator conferences nationwide.
Why we love this
Wilds captures something cinematic here: the score moves from delicate atmospheric detail through mounting tension to explosive celebration, all while staying completely idiomatic for Grade 3 players. The thunder sheet becomes a character in the story rather than a gimmick, and the Arabic folk melody grounds the piece in authentic culture without requiring specialized knowledge from your ensemble.
What to expect
You begin in stillness, watching a storm build on the horizon. Thunder rumbles closer, the wind picks up, and suddenly the rain arrives with force and fury. Just as quickly, the clouds break and the community emerges to celebrate the harvest with movement and joy.
Who it's for
Grade 3 concert bands seeking a substantial piece with genuine musical architecture and cross-cultural content. This works for ensembles wanting to program something beyond typical Grade 3 fare without requiring advanced technique or unusual instrumentation.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening atmospheric section with gradual dynamic growth; each pass through the pattern should feel slightly heavier, as if clouds are gathering.
- Let the percussion section's thunder sheet work breathe in the middle section; it's easy to rush when exciting effects are happening, so establish the pulse clearly before the sheet enters.
- Balance the brass arrival carefully so melody in the upper woodwinds remains audible once the storm hits; this is where the texture gets densest.
- The harvest celebration section invites energy and rhythmic lift; encourage the ensemble to feel the dance rather than simply play the notes.
How to use it
Use this as a centerpiece for a concert exploring weather, nature, or world cultures. It pairs well with lighter fare before and after, since it commands full attention during both its quiet opening and explosive middle sections. Consider programming it where you want to showcase your ensemble's dynamic range and ability to tell a story.
Skills your students will build
- Dynamic contrast and shaping across extended sections
- Listening across the ensemble to balance multiple layers of texture
- Responding to non-traditional percussion effects (thunder sheet) as musical material
- Maintaining ensemble pulse through rhythmic complexity in the folk melody
- Transition between atmospheric playing and articulated, energetic playing