Rest (Mvt. 2 of "Minnesota Portraits"): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Hazo's approach to this familiar carol strips away sentimentality in favor of something genuinely contemplative. The oboe and horn features give your soloists moments to shine while the harmonic reharmonization rewards careful listening from the audience, making this feel like a real concert work rather than a holiday filler.

Quiet and inward without being somber. The piece wraps a beloved melody in unexpected harmonic colors, creating a meditative quality that honors the carol's tradition while moving it into unexpected emotional territory. There's restraint here, and respect.

Band directors programming holiday concerts who want something beyond standard carol medleys. This works equally well for groups comfortable with Grade 3 technical demands but seeking more sophisticated harmonic language and orchestration.

• Balance the oboe and horn solos carefully against the ensemble; these voices deserve to speak clearly without the band overwhelming them.
• The dense harmonic textures will sound muddled if the intonation slips. Spend rehearsal time on chord clarity, especially in the woodwind sections.
• Honor the "reverent" character by resisting the urge to rush. Allow the harmonic alterations space to register with the listener.
• Use dynamics to shape the form. Without obvious melodic contrasts, subtle dynamic waves keep the piece from feeling static across its three minutes.

Position this as a centerpiece of a holiday concert's second half, perhaps following more straightforward seasonal fare. Its three minute length and contemplative mood make it an effective bridge between rowdier selections, giving your audience a moment to settle in and listen closely.

• Balancing featured soloists with ensemble accompaniment
• Intonation in reharmonized harmonic contexts
• Phrasing and expression in slow, sustained textures
• Reading and executing dynamic subtleties as a form of musical structure