Composer

:

Donald Grantham

Genre

:

Band

Compose Date

:

2008

Average_duration

:

10:21

Starry Crown is a band music composition by Donald Grantham, an American composer and educator. The piece was composed in 1997 and premiered on March 20, 1998, by the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, conducted by Jerry Junkin. Starry Crown is a three-movement work that is approximately 15 minutes in length. The first movement, titled "Shine On Me," is a lively and rhythmic piece that features syncopated rhythms and driving percussion. The second movement, "I'm Gonna Sing," is a slower and more contemplative piece that features a solo trumpet and a lyrical melody. The final movement, "Starry Crown," is a fast and energetic piece that brings the work to a thrilling conclusion. The piece is characterized by its use of traditional African American spirituals as source material. Grantham incorporates these melodies into his own original compositions, creating a unique and powerful sound. The use of syncopated rhythms and driving percussion also gives the piece a distinctly American feel. Starry Crown has become a popular work in the band music repertoire and has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world. Its use of traditional spirituals and its energetic and rhythmic style make it a crowd-pleaser and a favorite among performers.

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