With Pride and Joy!

With Pride and Joy!, op. 268
Commissioned by the Hillcrest Wind Ensemble, San Diego, CA
Christian Tordahl, Artistic Director
2024 – grade 4.5 - 5:55

COMING SOON!

Commissioned to commemorate the 40th anniversary of "San Diego's Finest City Freedom Band," With Pride and Joy! is a celebratory piece written in an overture format, opens with a fanfare before introducing the main theme in a lighthearted style meant to express the joy of living life to its fullest in a diverse community as well as the happy interactions between the band and the community, and the excellence of the musical ensemble itself. The contrasting lyrical section is both poignant and powerful as it represents the power of love and how we, with time, can overcome sadness experienced over those we have loved and lost, and find comfort in our fond memories. 

Solos are included for players in nearly every section, allowing for a further representation of diverse musical voices that can come together in the creation of joyful and meaningful musical moments. With the band's conductor asking me to write something "joyful" for a "Pride Band," the title, With Pride and Joy! was an obvious choice!