The Many Moods of Music

The Many Moods of Music was Commissioned by the Children's Concert Society of Akron on the occasion of their 75th anniversary and written for the Freedom Brass Band of Northeast Ohio. It is about 3 minutes long. I was inspired by the title of this concert to draw connections between our emotions and the music we hear, and gave my piece the same title. This is a very special opportunity to teach children about the expressive power of music, and they are involved by singing and clapping. The work is based on a short poem that I created and set to a simple melody:

The many moods of music
With such variety,
The many moods of music
Are felt by you and me.
The many moods of music,
The many moods of music,
Music has emotion felt by you and me.​
Music has emotion felt by you and me.

The children hear the melody three times in the band, before joining in with the words for the last two times. Each of these five sections, or variations, of the melody, is set to a slightly different mood. The first is majestic; the second slightly faster, flowing comfortably; the third slower and in the menacing minor key; the fourth a march-like return to major, introducing the children singing and clapping; and the fifth exuberant. As the children hear and contribute to this little set of variations, they will be struck by the variety of emotional power in music.

Read Akron Beacon Journal Article here