Grafenburg Variations Dan Forrest

Maestro Band Series

PROGRAM NOTES
The wonderful hymntune GRAFENBURG (by Johann Crüger, published in 1647) provides all of the thematic material for this set of variations. Each variation features some fragment or aspect of the original hymntune in a unique context. The variations are through-composed, yet divided into three main sections. The first section includes an introduction, a clear statement of the hymntune, a vigorous barn dance, and a triumphant proclamation, before transitioning to the middle section. The middle section contains a dream and a lullaby, and includes a full statement of the theme, to keep it in the listener's ear. The third section begins with a rude awakening from interrupting trumpets, which then give way to a blustering sea chanty in 6/8. Another variation then deconstructs the tune's tonality, pulling it farther and farther away from its moorings. Before it can completely unravel, however, the full theme emerges as an organ-pedal tune, in augmentation. Triumph then gives way to rejoicing, as the barn dance returns and sweeps the listener along to the end.

GRAFENBURG is often sung with the hymntext, Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs, by Isaac Watts. The entire set of variations, then, should be thought of as a collection of cheerful songs, each drawing its character from the original, traveling farther and farther afield from the original, but then all returning to join in their merry dance together.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER
January 24th, 2006
Bio
Dan Forrest was born in Elmira, NY, in 1978. He holds graduate degrees in piano performance and composition. His composition teachers have included James Barnes, Dwight Gustafson, Joan Pinkston, and Alice Parker.

Dan's works have won numerous contests, awards, and acclamations, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer's Award, the ACDA Raymond Brock Competition, the Donald Sutherland Endowment Composition Contest, the Raabe Prize, the University of Kansas Choral Society Composition Contest, the Vanguard Premieres Choral Competition, the John Ness Beck Foundation Prize, the Anthony Cius Award, and annual ASCAP Standard Awards since 2003. He was also recently named a finalist in the 2009 Frank Ticheli International Band Composition Contest.

Dan has published music in various genres and styles with numerous publishers. He regularly receives commissions for both choral and instrumental works. He has his own choral series with Hinshaw Music, The Music Of Dan Forrest. His choral works (church and concert) have received favorable reviews in the ACDA Choral Journal, as well as numerous Editor's Choice designations from Pepper Music and Creator Magazine.

Dan's recent commissioned premieres include Make A Joyful Noise! (chorus and orchestra) for the 2006 South Carolina Music Educator's Association convention, Three Nocturnes (chorus and percussion ensemble) for the West Valley Chorale of Phoenix, AZ, in paradisum for large chorus and symphonic wind ensemble, and Arise, Shine! for chorus and orchestra, which was premiered in Carnegie Hall in February 2007. His music is regularly programmed by renowned choral conductors around the world, has been broadcast on NPR stations on multiple occasions, and has been performed in venues including Carnegie Hall, the Crystal Cathedral, and the Lincoln Center.

Dan is the department head of music theory and composition at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, is listed in Who's Who In America, is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the College Music Society, and is a Fellow of Melodious Accord. Recent all-Forrest concerts include a ForrestFest (October 2007) at Bob Jones University, and a weeklong residency at Houston Baptist University in February 2008, which culminated in an extended all-Forrest concert.

More information about Dan and his music can be found at www.danforrest.com.