Concert Band

Morning Song (Horn Quartet & Band)

Grade 4 | 5 Mins

Commissioned by Bowling Green (Ohio) State University Symphonic Band, the College of Musical Arts, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, Morning Song was written in memory of Herbert Spencer, former horn professor at the University, who was universally admired and respected by all of his students there.

The first performance, under the baton of Dr Bruce Moss, took place at Bowling Green State University on 19th January 2002. For this very special occasion, former students of Professor Spencer, many of whom had gone on to become professional players, were invited back either to perform in, or listen to the piece (it was played by eight horns on that evening!)

As a work, it features the horn quartet mostly in a soloistic role – indeed there is an accompanied cadenza towards the end of the piece – but there are moments where the horns assume their conventional concert band role as harmonic support or playing the counter melody. In short, all the versatility of the horn quartet is explored in this expressive eulogy to a much-loved teacher.