Dies Irae: Score
By Elliot Del Borgo
Grade: 3.5
Item: 98-DB1224S
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Description
This symphonic poem is based on a chant attributed to Jacopone da Todi (c. 1230-1306) and describes the day of wrath and impending doom, while asking for mercy and salvation. The opening, treated like a Gregorian chant, soon moves into a whirlwind of energy as a large battery of percussion adds to the bold statements in the brass and flourishes in the upper woodwinds. A substantial work for your next concert program.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Concert Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1224S
More about this title
About the Composer: Elliot Del Borgo
Elliot Del Borgo has spent decades composing music that speaks directly to the needs of school and community ensembles. His catalog spans concert band, wind ensemble, orchestra, and chamber works, all written with deep understanding of what students can achieve at each level. Del Borgo's gift for orchestration and dramatic storytelling has made his scores favorites in music programs across the country.
His compositions balance accessibility with musical substance, never talking down to younger players while respecting the limitations of emerging ensembles. This philosophy has earned him consistent recognition among directors who value both musicality and teachability.
Why we love this
Del Borgo captures the medieval liturgical weight of the Dies Irae without requiring advanced ensemble maturity. The opening's Gregorian simplicity hooks students immediately, then the shift into rhythmic intensity and layered orchestration gives everyone meaningful work without overwhelming a Grade 3.5 band.
What to expect
The music unfolds like a medieval painting coming to life: austere and reverent at first, then suddenly alive with movement and urgency. Woodwinds dance while brass cuts through with conviction, all anchored by a thundering percussion section that feels both ancient and immediate.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 3.5 level looking for substantial contest or festival material with genuine programmatic depth. Directors who want students to engage with a sacred musical tradition while developing clarity in dense, multi-layered scoring.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening chorale carefully; the chant should sound solemn and grounded, not rushed. Let the lower woodwinds and brass anchor the phrase.
- When the percussion battery enters, resist the urge to accelerate. The pulse stays steady even as the texture becomes dense.
- Shape the upper woodwind flourishes with light articulation so they sparkle without clouding the brass statements underneath.
- Rehearse the transition from hymn to whirlwind in isolation; students need time to shift mental gears between the two contrasting sections.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a standalone centerpiece on a concert featuring sacred or classical-inspired works, or paired with lighter fare to demonstrate your band's range. Its dramatic arc and programmatic clarity make it particularly effective in festival settings where you want judges to hear focused ensemble work and clear musical storytelling.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing multiple independent melodic lines in a dense texture
- Distinguishing articulation styles between chorale and rhythmic sections
- Responding to sudden changes in musical character and tempo context
- Sustaining tone quality while managing dynamic swells across the full ensemble