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Moon by Night

for band and optional chorus

  • Year

    2001
  • Duration

    04:00
  • Level

    Intermediate
  • Perusal Score

    View

Moon by Night is a modular work, as it is performable as a work for band and chorus, band alone, chorus and piano, or chorus a cappella. The text is the King James translation of Psalm 121, and the title is an image directly quoted from the psalm. The theme of the work is not sacred, however – it should be more like a hymn-like tone poem; a simple, straightforward chorale with long unending lines, where the text serves only to create an evocative mood.

See also Moon By Night for SATB chorus.

Genres:   Winds

Subgenres:   Large EnsembleEducational

Instrumentation

Picc, 2Fl, 2Ob, 2Bsn, EbClar, 3Clar, BClar, 2ASax, TSax, Bax, 2Trp, 4Hn, 2Trb, Bar, 2Tba, Cb, Timp, Perc1 (Glock/ ‘C’Gong), Perc2 (Vibr/ SusCym/ WChim), Perc3 (Mar/ BDr), Perc4 (Crot/ TubBells/ Tri)

Premiered

June 27, 2001 by the Sterling Municipal Symphony Band in Sterling, IL, conducted by Eric Whitacre

View Errata Info

(to the Wingert-Jones Published Edition)

  • Baritone sax is a (sounding) B-natural in m.38, not a B-flat
  • Flutes in m.38-9: The G can either be Fl1 only, with Fl2 entering beat 3 of m.39, or Fl2 can play the G whole note in m.38, tied to a G half note in m.39, before Fl2 plays beats 3-4 in m.39.

Awards

Winner of the 2003 NBA/Merrill Jones Memorial Young Band Composition Award

Recorded on

  1. American Images
  2. TAD Steps

Recent Performances

  • November 17, 2022 - Crane Concert Band at Hosmer Hall. Conducted by Peter B. Lewis. In collaboration with the Crane Choir
  • November 20, 2018 - University of North Florida Concert Band at Lazzara Performance Hall, Jacksonville, FL. Conducted by Erin Bodnar.
  • April 26, 2018 - University of Missouri Symphonic Band at Missouri Theatre. Conducted by Dr. Amy M. Knopps.