PROJECT# 77
WHEN THE DAWN IS STILL DARK
NOTES
When the Dawn is Still Dark is a tribute to those who have battled cancer, both survivors and those who have lost their lives The composition is inspired by the words of Rabindranath Tagore, "Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark"
The piece employs a variety of musical techniques, including solos, harmonies, and instrumental layering to convey the themes of hope and faith The music begins with a simple melody, reminiscent of the darkness before sunrise As the composition progresses, the use of gospel-inspired melodies and chorales creates a sense of crescendo, culminating in a musical sunrise that symbolizes hope, faith, and remembrance As the music reaches its climax, it returns to the original chorale and concludes with a resonant ending, conveying hope for the survivors and peace for those who mourn the loss of loved ones
The students and directors of the Villa Rica High School band program respectfully present this piece in memory of our beloved ones who have survived or lost their battle with cancer
For those who fight the valiant fight, And those who journeyed out of sight, For those who hold dear memories bright, Our voices might.
INSTRUMENTATION FOR WIND BAND
WOODWINDS
Flute 1 & 2
Oboe
B♭Clarinet 1-3
B♭Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
AATB Saxophone
BRASS
B♭trumpet 1-3
Horn In F 1-4
Trombone 1 & 2
Bass Trombone
Tuba
WIND BAND GRADE: 5
YEAR: 2024
LENGTH: 8:00
PERCUSSION
Timpani
Glockenspiel 1 Vibraphone & Cymbals 2. Bass Drum 3. Ride Cymbal, Crash, Suspended 4 Chimes & Bongos 5 Hi-Hat & Tam-tam 6. Congas & Triangle 7.
DEDICATION
Alfred Watkins
Alicia It'a Bacigalupi*
Amber Prater
Angela McNeil
Barbara Hale*
Brian DeCraene
Bryceton Noble
Carol McKay
Carolyn Weaver*
Cliff Jenkins*
Craig Ford
Denna Canup
Dolores Dupre*
Donna Dearden*
Evelyn Wilder
Frances Holloman
Gene Mullis*
Ginny Barney
Jacob Brown
Jimmy Hulsey*
John F Keene*
John Meyer*
Kingsley Isabu*
Leonard Wilson*
Lesile Cuffee*
Linda Shields*
Margaret Raiden*
Mark Craddock*
Nick Washington*
Patrice Wilson*
Patsey Graves-Herline*
Peggy Tucker
Philip Messner
Richard Knorr*
Rhoda Brown
Richard Tyson*
Robert Brown*
Robert Prince Brown*
Robert Wilson
Tammy Beddow*
Tara Penn*
Tiffany Waymon*
Tricia Rountree
Tracie Griego
Ulysses Helton*
Vicky Barnett
Wayne Peterson*
William Lawrence Richards*
CONSORTIUM
When the Dawn is StillDarkwas commissionedby a consortium ledby R Kevin Brown, Ann Wilson, andVilla Rica HighSchoolBands
Daniel A Belongia Arkansas Tech University (Russellville, Arkansas)
Mark Anthony Bonner, Jr Mabonner Publications (Lees Summit, Missouri)
Dr Brittan Braddock Mercer University (Macon, Georgia)
Josh Byrd and Cale Self University of West Georgia (Carrollton, Georgia)
Christopher Carr and Zachary Nelson Carrollton High School (Carrollton, Georgia)
Taylor Cash Albertville High School (Albertville, Alabama)
Cecilia Clark and Holly Maldonado Woodland High School (Cartersville, Georgia)
Joel Collins, Ryan Bratton, William Smith, and Elissa Harris Lee County High School (Leesburg, Georgia)
Thomas Dougherty Jensen Beach High School (Jensen Beach, Florida)
Alan Faiola Edward R Murrow High School (Brooklyn, New York)
Allen Frank and William Lennox Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
Saul Green Wilde Lake High School (Columbia, Maryland)
Barry L Houser University of Illinois (Champaign, Illinois)
Kaitlin Merck Walnut Grove High School (Loganville, Georgia)
Michael Moon and Mike Long Cartersville High School (Cartersville, Georgia)
William Perrine Concordia University (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Jeffrey Rowser Morgan County High School (Madison, Georgia)
Scott Stewart Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony (Atlanta, Georgia
Christopher Wade Mary Persons High School (Forsyth, Georgia)
David Warren and Riley Mitchell Central-Carroll High School (Carrollton, Georgia)
David White and Andy Daniel Alexander High School (Douglasville, Georgia)
Bill Wynn Heritage High School (Ringgold, Georgia)
When The Dawn is Still Dark Opening Text
Inspired by text from Maya Angelou and Rabindranath Tagore
Narrator:
“Faith is the bird that sings When the Dawn is Still Dark….
*pause - band should begin to play here*
When the great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety.
When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear
*small pause*
When great souls depart, the air around us becomes light, rare, sterile. We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid, promised walks never taken.
*small pause*
And when great souls embark, after a period, peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration
Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us
ey existed. ey existed. ey existed. ey existed.
We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.
Faith is the bird that sings When the Dawn is Still Dark….
Piccolo
Flute I, II
Oboe I, II
Bassoon I, II
Clarinet I in Bb
Clarinet II, III in Bb
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Alto Saxophone I, II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet I in Bb
Trumpet II, III in B
Horn in F I, III
Horn in F II, IV
Trombone I, II
Bass Trombone
WHEN THE DAWN IS STILL DARK
1st measure hum Concert Eb or Bb. Then 2nd Measure hum Concert F or C. Repeat until end of text.
KATAHJ COPLEY (2023)
&bbb &bbb
?bbb ?bbb
?bbb &bbb ?bbb ?bbb
?bbb &bbb &bbb
?bbb
?bbb ?bbb ?bbb &bbb ?bbb ?bbb
?bbb &bbb &bbb>
?bbb
&bbb
?bbb &bbb
?bbb ?bbb &bbb &bbb
?bbb
?bbb
&bbb
One Player
One Player Hn. 1 &bbb ?bbb
One Player ?bbb ?bbb
One Player ?bbb One Player &bbb ?bbb ?bbb ?bbb &bbb &bbb
?bbb ?bbb ?bbb &bbb ?bbb ?bbb ?bbb &bbb &bbb
KATAHJ COPLEY
Carrollton, Georgia native, Katahj Copley (he/him/his) premiered his first work, Spectra, in 2017 and hasn’t stopped composing since. As of now, Katahj has written over 100 works, including pieces for chamber ensembles, wind ensembles, and orchestra. His compositions have been performed and commissioned by universities, organizations, and professional ensembles, including the Cavaliers Brass, California Band Director Association, Admiral Launch Duo, and “The President’s Own” Marine Band. Katahj has also received critical acclaim internationally with pieces being performed in Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, China, and Australia.
Katahj received two Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of West Georgia in Music Education and Composition in 2021. In 2023, he received his Masters in Music Composition from the University of Texas at Austin - studying with Omar Thomas and Yevgeniy Sharlat. He is currently pursing his DMA in Music Composition at Michigan State University.
Aside from composing, Katahj is an excited educator who teaches young musicians the joy of discovering music and why music is a phenomenal language.
“Music for me has always been this impactful thing in my life. It can soothe, it can enrage, it can quiet, and it can evoke emotions that are beyond me and this world we live in. I believe that music is the ultimate source of freedom and imagination. The most freedom I have had as a musician was through composing. Composition is like me opening my heart and showing the world my drive, my passion, and my soul.”