Dunbar 1838 marks the year and place of birth of John Muir: naturalist, author, and "Father of the U.S. National Parks." A Scot by birth, an immigrant mid-westerner in his teens and early adulthood, and a Californian for most of his life, Muir embarked on a self-described journey as a lifelong student studying at "the university of the wilderness." His love of and advocacy for the conservation of an unspoiled natural world is legendary. He was often quoted as saying "when we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." Likewise, as a nod to Muir's heritage and outlook on life, this music by William Camphouse is a simple ballad based largely on the pentatonic scale and use of a "Scotch snap" (sixteenth/dotted eighth) rhythm pattern, akin to a traditional Scottish folk tune. It is to be performed in a flowing, sustained style by all musicians on each assigned part, with lots of energy; care and control; accuracy; attention to dynamics and phrasing; and full, rich tone quality. All those elements "hitched" together make great music for musicians and audience alike! (3:35)
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