The Alamo
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The Alamo remains today one of America’s bastion’s to independence. Bought with the price of 189 lives, the story of the fight for this Texas gateway in San Antonio lives on today in a mixture of fondness, folk lore, and fable. The inspiration for this suite is two-fold: The writer’s memory of an early movie retelling of the story, starring John Wayne, and the writer’s first visit to the Alamo nearly 20 years later. Set in three movements, this suite tells the story of the west’s most oft-told tale. Movement one, Ole’ Dan Tucker Hoedown, sets the stage, depicting a carefree, open range expression of the western spirit. This movement utilizes the folk melody of “Ole’ Dan Tucker” and involves a toe-tappin’, foot-stompin’ celebration of the soul of the wild west, similar to what those in the Alamo might have celebrated just before the siege began. Movement two, The Battle, depicts the final confrontation of the siege. The mood sobers instantly, as fiddles and washboards are quickly exchanged for muskets and gunpowder. Listen for the winds blowing across the tumbleweeds, followed by the approach of Santa Anna’s mass of soldiers. Next, you will hear the valiant Crockett’s Theme in a minor key, played by the French Horns. The Battle ends in a final volley of cannon and gunpowder explosions. In the final movement, Chorale: In Memorial, Crockett’s Theme resurfaces in a major key, recalling the courageous sacrifices of champions like Davy Crockett, Col. William Travis, Jim Bowie, and the other heroes whose sacrifice has gifted us with a fierce freedom that causes us to raise the cry, “Remember The Alamo.” -Brian Childers, August 10, 2007
Commissioned for the Caldwell All-County Band Clinic 2007
Grade V; Performance time: 8:00
Commissioned for the Caldwell All-County Band Clinic 2007
Grade V; Performance time: 8:00