Reel Talk
Duration:
Reel Talk: Two American String Band Tunes
for soloists and string orchestra or concert band
Reel Talk is a setting of two of my favorite old-time string band tunes — "Kitchen Girl" and "Cattle in the Cane." Both are reels, defined by their driving energy and original purpose: keeping people dancing.
The piece opens with a slow, warm introduction before "Kitchen Girl" locks into a bright reel groove. At its center, the soloists step forward for an open improvisation section — a direct nod to the old-time tradition of the "break," in which individual players take their turn in the spotlight while the band holds down the groove underneath. A restless transition then carries the ensemble headlong into "Cattle in the Cane," which arrives at a faster, more urgent clip and drives through several intensifying choruses before a final push brings things to a close.
A massive thank you to my colleague and friend Alyssa Ottmar for making this commission possible, and to Jon Welch, Steve Shanley, Rachel Walter, Madeline Capristran, and the many incredible musicians of the West High Chamber Orchestra and Cedar Rapids Municipal Band for premiering the work.
Difficulty Notes:
Solo Parts: Grade 5
Ensemble Parts: Grade 3
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