Lindbergh Variations

Lindbergh Variations, op. 36
Fletcher Jr. High School Band, Jacksonville Beach, Florida
William Holman, Director
1991 – grade 3 – 4:55
C. L. Barnhouse Company

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This superbly crafted set of variations embodies thoughtful compositional techniques and colorful orchestration. Inspired by the Lindbergh Memorial to Children near the school that commissioned the piece, the concrete statue rests atop a sculpted shell and features a sleeping baby holding a single rose.  Erected as a result of the kidnapping of the 20-month old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh, the sleeping child brought about the idea using a main theme that resembled a nursery rhyme song.  The theme evolves through several variations, the last in which the hymn, "Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head," an Appalachian folk song, emerges gradually, rising in its presence until the end of the piece.