Cradle Hymn: Score
Based on a Kentucky Folk Song
Traditional / arr. Earl J. Fox, Jr.
Grade: 2.5 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0004211
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Description
Based upon a Kentucky folk song, this lovely lullaby radiates a feeling of serenity and tranquility. The opening, with a stately, majestic chorale, is followed with an exhilarating rhythmic development of the theme supplemented by energetic percussion. The ending reinstates the introduction with a quiet and peaceful conclusion. (5:00)
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Symphonic
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
178
SKU:
00-PR-0004211
More about this title
About the Arranger: Earl J. Fox
Earl J. Fox holds degrees in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Ph.D. in music from Louisiana State University. He spent two decades directing concert and marching bands in the Orleans Parish School System, including tenures at Capdau Junior High and Abramson Senior High School, before moving to Mississippi where he teaches at South Side Elementary School in Picayune.
Fox has established himself as both a clinician and adjudicator at band festivals across the United States and internationally. His arrangements and original compositions have been published and performed by bands nationwide and abroad, including Marching Band Sampoerna in Jakarta, Indonesia. He holds National Board Certification and maintains active membership in the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Why we love this
Fox shapes this Kentucky folk melody into something architecturally satisfying: the opening chorale establishes weight and presence, the middle section delivers genuine rhythmic energy through orchestration and percussion, and the return to quiet feels earned rather than merely repetitive. For a Grade 2.5 band, this three-part structure offers directors a chance to teach contrastive phrasing and dynamic control without requiring virtuosity.
What to expect
The opening settles the room with hymn-like dignity. Then energy enters through rhythm and percussion, creating forward momentum that feels genuinely alive rather than forced. The return to serenity carries the weight of what came before, landing as a conscious choice rather than a simple repeat.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the early intermediate level looking for accessible yet musically coherent repertoire. Directors seeking a piece that teaches sectional contrast and phrasing without excessive technical demands will find this arrangement serves both performance and pedagogy.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the stillness of the opening chorale through precise articulation and balance; unforced tone here sets the stakes for what follows.
- Let the rhythmic middle section breathe with clarity rather than rushing; the percussion parts should anchor without overwhelming the melodic content.
- Shape the final return as a genuine diminuendo toward silence rather than a mere repetition of the opening; students should hear the arc closing.
- Use rehearsal time to distinguish between the three sections through tempo and character work, making the formal design audible to the ensemble.
How to use it
Program this as the opening number on a concert where you want to establish a reflective mood, then move into more energetic material. It also works beautifully on festivals where contrastive selections are valued, since its three-part structure gives adjudicators a clear sense of your band's range.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical tone in chorale textures
- Maintaining rhythmic precision during energetic section development
- Listening across sections for dynamic balance and blend
- Shaping musical phrases with intentional climax and resolution
- Reading concert band score organization with multiple parts