Entertaining medley celebrating six classic songs by Stephen Collins Foster.
[Part 1] Flute, Oboe, Violin, Eb Clarinet, Eb Cornet, Bb Clarinet, Bb Trumpet, Bb Cornet, Bb Flugelhorn
[Part 2] Bb Clarinet, Bb Trumpet, Bb Cornet, Bb Flugelhorn, Eb Alto Saxophone, F Horn, Violin
[Part 3] Bb Clarinet, Bb Tenor Saxophone, F Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Baritone, Viola
[Part 4] Bb Tenor Saxophone, Bassoon, Trombone, Euphonium, Baritone, Violoncello
[Part 5] Bb Bass Clarinet, Eb Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, Trombone, Euphonium, Baritone, Violoncello, Tuba, String Bass
[Percussion 1] Drum Set
[Percussion 2(optional)] Glockenspiel, Xylophone
The year 2014 marked the 150th anniversary of the death of Stephen Collins Foster (July 4, 1826 - January 13, 1864). Known as "the father of American music", Stephen Foster was an American songwriter who wrote over 200 songs, and many of his compositions remain popular more than 150 years after their creation.
In commemoration to his musical legacy, I have decided to write this fantasy in a medley style comprised of 6 songs: Camptown Races, Old Folks at Home, Beautiful Dreamer, Oh! Susanna, Better Times are Coming, and Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair. Although Better Times are Coming is not as famous as the others, I selected it because I wanted to include a lesser known yet fun, entertaining song. The charming melody from Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair appears toward the end of the piece. The melody from Oh! Susanna is of the original (where in Japan, the melody has some minor differences).
(Yo Goto)
