SEVEN ISLANDS
(2020)
PUBLISHER: Murphy Music Press, LLC | © 2020 M.O.T.I.F. (ASCAP)
ca. 3-4 minutes | GRADE 3
INSTRUMENTATION
WOODWINDS: 2 Flutes, Oboe, Bassoon, 2 Bb Clarinets, Bb Bass Clarinet
SAXOPHONES: 2 Altos, Tenor, Bari
BRASS: 3 Bb Trumpets, 2 Horns, 3 Trombones, Euphonium (T.C. and B.C. parts available), Tubas (2+ players)
STRINGS: Harp (optional)
KEYBOARDS: Piano (optional)
PERCUSSION: Timpani, 4 Mallet Percussion (optional), 4 Percussion [5-9 players total are recommended]
PERCUSSION LIST
Vibraphone (optional), Glockenspiel (optional), Marimba (4.3-octave, optional), Crotales (2 octaves, optional; bow needed),
Suspended Cymbal, Ocean Drum (optional but preferred), Crash Cymbals, Triangle, Bass Drum
FINALIST FOR THE 2022 ASCAP FOUNDATION MORTON GOULD YOUNG COMPOSER AWARDS
THE SECOND PIECE OF THE GRAND LEDGE TRIPTYCH
COMMISSIONED BY: Tavia Zerman and the Hayes Middle School Bands (Grand Ledge, Michigan)
WORLD PREMIERE: December 2, 2021 | Grand Ledge High School Wind Symphony (John Szczerowski, conductor) | Grand Ledge, Michigan
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
—January 28, 2022 | Grand Ledge High School Wind Symphony (David Funk, guest conductor; John Szczerowski, director of bands) | The 17th Annual Michigan Music Conference (2022), DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids, Michigan
—January 19, 2022 | Grand Ledge High School Wind Symphony (David Funk, guest conductor; John Szczerowski, director of bands) | Grand Ledge, Michigan
ADDITIONAL VERSIONS AVAILABLE
There are seven islands located in the town of Grand Ledge, Michigan. Three of them are quite small, not large enough for exploration. The last island (now named Half-Mile Island) once served as a picnic area for boaters. And, the first two islands would become the town's most popular resort areas in its early history.
Throughout the late 1800's to early 1900's, settlers built resorts and amusement-park attractions to capitalize on the natural wonders of this place. While such eccentricities would gradually wane out by the 1930's, remnants of these popular entertainments can be found to an extent. Today, riverboats still make their journey along the Grand River. Annual festivals and other events are held. And, a popular gazebo was built on the now-named Island Park.
Seven Islands is a lush ballad which depicts the natural beauty and wonder of this historical place in Grand Ledge at sunrise. Melodies are accompanied with sweeping harmonic motion as well as shimmering and twinkling figures, bridged together by passages depicting the stillness of the Grand River. The history of this place is acknowledged in the grand and majestic build (and resolution) of this music, demonstrating that the Seven Islands has so much more to offer in Grand Ledge today.