“The Waves of Wintertide”, Sea Song, by Sarah Houle, 2020, for Brass Quartet (Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba), Piccolo/Tin Whistle, Drums and Piano/Vocal/Chords.
“The Waves of Wintertide” is a dark sea song centering around the voyage home during the rough and dangerous weather of wintertide. Guided by the warm lights of the home-fires burning, hardy pirates brave the galing winds, sleet and snow, and dark waves that seek to claim another vessel. The refrain ponders the question of why some choose to live as they do despite the dangerous conditions.
Though this piece was written for my basic ‘mostly conical’ brass quartet format (Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba), I have chosen to augment the music with the colors of tin whistle/piccolo and djembe. The tin whistle/piccolo adds some interesting little fills and at times, accentuates the melodic line. The djembe adds deep, rhythmic drum sounds, much like the waves pounding the sides of the ship.
If you have an interest in performing this piece, please use the contact form below. An unmarked PDF download will be sent to you of the entire set. I’d only like to know where you intend on performing the piece…and would love to hear any performances of it!
Euphonious Music 