HALCYON HEARTS (University of South Carolina Symphonic Winds)

Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
HALCYON HEARTS is an ode to love and how it affects us all. Halcyon denotes a time where a person is ideally happy or at peace, so in short Halcyon Hearts is about the moment of peace when one finds their love or passion. The piece centers around major 7ths and warm colors to represent the warmth that love brings us. The introduction- which is sudden and colorful- symbolizes the feeling of the unexpected journey it takes to find love. Using the colors and natural energy of the ensemble, we create this sound of ambition and passion throughout the work. No matter what race, gender, religion, nationality or love, we all are united with the common thread of passion from the heart. This piece was written in dedication to those who love no matter what negativity is in the world; do not allow hate and prejudice to guide the way we live our lives. Always choose love and the halcyon days will come.

[@kaycrocheted]

Played this at an honor band in high school, one of my best friends immediately fell in love, reasonably so. I was a senior and he was a junior, and he desperately wanted to play it at our last concert with all of his favorite people. He always talked about it, and al thought we didn’t play it at my last concert he held out hope he’d get to at his. Instead, we played it at his funeral the day after my graduation. I will always love this piece, and although it will probably forever bring me tears, it will forever have such a beautiful and unique place in my heart. Thankyou ❤

[@Llamavr_1]

Lol just played it for my highschool hot band aswell

[@BasicBerry_]

I"m so sorry for your loss, he must've been so happy you guys played it for him one last time

[@Infernal0utlaw]

💚💚💚💚

[@trinnnn21]

omg im playing this for honor band too!!

[@jordynnjoyblack3410]

​@@trinnnn21WHAT ME THREE

[@lukelewis-nw7qe]

I really believe Copley is going to be a legacy in music. His name is upcoming and I am nothing but excited for him and his future and what he bring to music. Thank you.

[@lux5164]

his works really stand out

[@CaK007]

The embodiment of passion, that's how I describe this piece. Never before has a band encapsulated the feeling of finding someone, something you love or love doing so perfectly. I played Halcyon Hearts as a freshman at the last concert of the year and I have associated this song with the feelings of that night. Knowing that, eventually, all my friends will grow up and move different places; that these concerts I put so much effort into will soon blow away in the wind. Despite this, this song will always live on as a memory of a long forgotten place. My band director described it as, "A symbol of a bygone era, like a nostalgic picture with a scratch in the frame."

[@reyganmann]

i nearly cried the the first time i played this, it is simply amazing. Something about it just explains love.

[@bobbobb-xb5sy]

no

[@SophieBerube-ct4uz]

As a trombonist, I ADORE getting legato emotional melodies like this one, and we never get them. I’m playing this piece for an Honour Band and I just got the music, and I played this for the first time a few days ago and I cried. Thank you thank you thank you!

[@Ethan_doesStuf]

Just finished playing this piece in middle school honor band :) (I’m also a trombone!) it’s absolutely an amazing piece and I’m so glad I got to play it

[@jacobgroff-de3hn]

I'm about to learn it to and I'm also a trombonist

[@marcgarrett6161]

THIS IS LITERALLY MY FAVORITE PIECE AS A TROMBONE PLAYER

[@Ethan_doesStuf]

@@marcgarrett6161 AHH SAME! I love we get melody! Also the saxophones part is music to my ears 😭😭😭 I love nerding out about this piece! I love it SO MUCH

[@grunkleairmin]

I'm also a trombonist and we're playing this piece for our upcoming concert

[@adityaahuja3829]

I saw Copley in person while playing this piece, it was an honor.

[@balderdash14]

this piece really just touches your soul in the most profound way. like God himself inspired it. i honestly think its perfect, just a flawless piece of music. playing the tenor sax part at the end with the trombones in concert brought the water works at our concert, its such a moving part. i love it with my whole heart

[@ElizabethFlowers-pc9lv]

Words cannot describe how much I love this song

[@kaleeatssalad]

OMG I can't believe it, there's finally a recording! I'm playing it with my university band and it's my favorite piece out of our entire lineup. My band director discussed the meaning of the piece with us - each and every one of us interpreted the meaning of the song so differently, which is why I love it so much. Thank you for this piece!

[@houstonchristmas7189]

my director explained it to us too!! such and amazing piece and director

[@mhowed8861]

Uw madison?

[@ale_isanodd1]

i’m playing this in middle school all state band

[@ivyart3737]

​@@ale_isanodd1 Same!!! I'm also playing this for middle school all state band. Wjat instrument do you play and what state are you in?

[@ale_isanodd1]

@@ivyart3737 north carolina, fourth chair snare drum

[@scrimblo322]

One of the clarinet players cried tears of joy in concert band cause this piece sounded like it came from Pixar. Such a beautiful composure of music. :)

[@cat_gamer716]

So true 😭

[@bobbobb-xb5sy]

@@cat_gamer716 soft ahh bum

[@rdk_v0rt3x]

Oh, I played this piece a few months ago, tell the clarinet player to get prepared for one of his next pieces bc the band I'm in world premiered it last night and the Disney/Pixar vibes are to the max!

[@Ry-lw3fr]

right when i listen to this i think of inside out 😭

[@Halloweensam31]

Just reading the description made me cry. I’m playing this tomorrow. 😊

[@emeliaerickson990]

I just played this in honors band, as a French horn, this was one of my favorites!

[@notabassoonplayer]

I had the honor of meeting of meeting Copley last night at Northwestern State. He is such a wonderful person and composer. He is going to become a legacy.

[@michaelwa7]

This song will never get old for me, I love the clarinet melody!

[@nathanshare9685]

Hi Michael

[@michaelwa7]

Hi Nathan

[@jackwang879]

Hey Michael

[@coronavirus186]

Hi Michael

[@enriquevaldez1943]

What’s good coronavirus

[@Silverhawk-bg1xt]

My friend and I played this for an honor band and we’re trying to convince our director to let our band play this song for our graduation. This would actually be the perfect sendoff piece.

[@ethanboe8239]

Played this for an Honors Band. I played the alto 1 part and man, it’s so awesome. Just a beautiful piece of music. I loved it

[@JustinMyrick-i3d]

We played this piece at my concert last month and it was AWESOME. my favorite part about this piece is the gong.

[@ALTMedia-Official]

I played this in an honors band (bass trombone), and our performance actually made the audience cry.

[@bobbobb-xb5sy]

they cried because their eardrums were being ruptured from how bad you are playing

[@Infamous_Doggo]

that’s lethal 😂😂

[@ALTMedia-Official]

What type of name is Bob Bobb? Bro must be a tablet kid on pot

[@ALTMedia-Official]

Nothing is lethal to me. Get a pfp before you say jack, poor boy

[@Laggyboi]

Playing this song in an honors band as a clarinet and I can say this is my favorite piece it just fills me with happiness 😁

[@jasonkeahnah-talbot4160]

We played this at my brothers graduation ceremony last year and I’m playing it again this year for an honor band, there is nothing but positive memories behind this song and playing and listening to this is one of my fondest memories. It brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it and now play it in my senior year. One last time and I’m so glad it’s this song

[@trinnnn21]

same! i’m playing this for HB too

[@bobbobb-xb5sy]

did he graduate with 2.0 gpa womp womp get good

[@Lowintech147]

Played this in my symphonic band with a good friend of mine we both had the euphonium line and we played this for one of our trips at Tallahassee the clinician kept on completing us for the phrasing and how good we shaped the melody line this has to be one of the best and favorite pieces I've played considering we played Fu-mon to, such a magical piece

[@TrevBrooks55]

I am playing this in marching band on 1st trumpet, and it is probably one of my favorite parts from the show!

[@sunny-oq9je]

So different in person, truly a masterpiece, got the joy of playing this on timpani for honor band at Southern Oregon University and it was fantastic (the recording of that performance doesn't do it justice). Such a beautiful piece, made my enjoyment in performance come back. Thank you for the soul you put in your music.

[@prishachoudhary8785]

currently playing timpani on this piece and it's one of the most moving pieces I've ever played. I love it

[@emorysbackyard]

Katahj, I have been in band for 5 years now playing music in concerts i’ll suddenly forget and look over. Because of this piece, i’ve found a new love of band i’ve never felt before. This is truly a master piece, i sometimes cry while playing it because of how many emotions i feel while playing it. Thank you, you are a blessing.

[@Gabe_tba]

I played this for Honor Band back in November of 22. The director asked everyone what their favorite song was. Almost everyone chose this song. This is an amazing piece. I played Tuba for this song

[@musicallands7385]

I played this for honor band on a 3rd trumpet part and it was so much fun. This piece is incredibly powerful and brought tears to my eyes which has never occured after the end of a concert before. Dr. Brent Levine was the conductor and he did an amazing job in 2 days. This piece is amazing and I am very glad that you wrote this Mr. Copley!

[@nostalgiaandsound61]

I KNOWWWWW RIGHT?! My band played this too and it was absolutely…..so….. beautiful. It makes me wanna dance :))

[@compass2349]

this will be my first and last year int he honor band under Dr. Brent Levine i cant wait to play this in a few weeks

[@krispest-bear]

OMG I WAS 3RD TRUMPET TOOO!!

[@AmazingErrChannel]

I’m playing 3rd trumpet for this piece too!

[@bobbobb-xb5sy]

womp womp imagine not being 1st part womp womp get good L plus ratio im 4th grader district 1st chair all national get good womp womp i solo your conducter

[@ivyart3737]

Playing this for middle school all state band!! I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT IT

[@paupautube1]

This wonderful piece was played yesterday at Burlington High school band in Massachusetts my son played the trumpet he gets very emotional and I got more seeing him playing. So proud 👏 of this band.

[@ale_isanodd1]

that’s awesome. this is such a pretty piece too

[@paupautube1]

@@ale_isanodd1 yes it makes my heart happy😊. Music is a gift to our lives.

[@hayesdiscool]

Had the honor of playing this today with my All-District ensemble on Bari Sax. Incredible piece.

[@thisdude-nz8jt]

Hello fellow bari

[@belowzero4777]

ello fellow baris and yea were playing this for wind ensemble, such a fun piece!

[@mangoschmooves]

My brothers

[@mynameisirrelevant7626]

BROTHERS!!! I played this for an honor band once, it was astounding to say the least

[@evanharmon7564]

As a fellow Bari I love this piece

[@Cookie_Comment]

gosh, this was an absolute joy to perform. the other pieces we played this year were nice, but this one, though simpler to play was the one I caught onto best. :)

[@samantha_the_artist]

I love this piece so much, i cried playing it ❤️so lovely

[@CreaturesofSonariant]

I played this in an honors band several months ago and it's been in my mind ever since. The tuba part may be a bit repetitive, but the piece itself is wonderful ❤ Glad I could be able to play such a beautiful piece

[@stupido1722]

I played this for all region this year this is definitely my favorite piece I’ve ever played

[@CreativeMaryia]

Play this Today at the Mobile University Honor Band and Barritone/Euphonium part was amazing! Everything was! Favorite piece! ❤

[@kingconrad726]

Hey I was there too as a Euphonium. This song really was great

[@enriquevaldez1943]

Yo isn’t mobile the place in to kill a mockingbird?

[@julokreen2074]

No wayyy, I live here too

[@sapphirea1916]

Just a few days ago we played this at the 9th District Band here in Georgia and as a tuba player we don't get many fun parts sometimes but this piece had many fun parts for me. I loved this piece so much. There is this part when we are playing the dotted quarter notes when the clarinet goes up high and I love that so much. This piece is so great and I want to play it again.

[@hwafshyk]

i was there !

[@hwafshyk]

dr koperniak?

[@anishraja9655]

I played in clinic band and I can't help feeling jealous because all our pieces were kind of energetic and I really wanted a nice beautiful melody and y'all played like 3 of those. This is by far my favorite. I can't help continuously playing the melody on my clarinet. I thought missing the second round by half a point would hurt, and now this? Great job guys.

[@timmiespigeon6516]

So happy to say we get to play this for lgpe in my band, the second I listened to this song I instantly loved it ❤❤

[@itzbloolive5100]

playing this in concert band, it’s absolutely incredible! i love the clarinet melody too and it really is my favorite piece we’ve done. it makes me think i’m in a disney movie!

[@mewmew790]

I'm currently playing this piece with my band and am absolutely in love with this piece! The bell part is so pretty and fun to play and I'm so excited to play this in concert! Beautiful song! :)

[@akerieaung1274]

Literally one of my favorite pieces

[@bella_n0there]

I played this piece in 7th grade for the graduates it’s honestly such a beautiful peace I instantly fell in love with it, and it sounded lovely.

[@jaredtheeasguy]

My high school is doing this along with 4 other pieces for the spring concert, this is a pretty interesting piece. It’s joyful to listen to

[@nastaro_5789]

I had the honor of playing the 1st clarinet part at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and the sweeping melody in the clarinets is so beautiful. The whole song is beautiful and so fun to play.

[@palomamartinez4229]

there’s someone going to my school to give out scholarships for that camp! How is it?

[@ahlanim172]

playing this for my spring concert on monday !!

[@Emily-bg6bd]

the most beautiful piece i’ve played for an honor band; i tear up whenever i think about it

[@juliagray2228]

I played this in 7th grade symphonic band and it’s still my favorite piece we’ve ever played

[@Sam.9136]

I'm so excited! I will be playing this piece, as one of two horns, on first part! The other is on Second part. What an honour to be able to perform such a beautiful piece!!!

[@frenchiee6589]

Dude same except theres this self absorbed saxophone who insists on playing over me and horn 2 for the duration of the song

[@cat_gamer716]

I am a 6th grade band member that plays flute and trombone but switching fully to flute and I love this song so, thank you for bringing it to life. I have tingles whenever I hear good music and I had it 🥰

[@cat_gamer716]

If I every play this music I’m prolly going to do happy tears mid song because it sounds so good

[@cardencraze]

i am playing this in my regular concert band rn and it’s sounding so good! it makes me wanna throw my arms around and dance with my flute lol

[@AjAwesome1010]

Just had the privilege to perform this piece today with Dr.Fontana, it was my favorite one out of the entire selection. Thank you for this!!

[@jasminescentedcandle]

i just performed this for paulding county honor band yesterday and this was one of my favorites

[@angelaclarinet]

this piece is powerful enough to bring one to tears ❤

[@skitopdive678]

Just played this today at SFA band camp on tuba; this is truly a beautiful song and very fun to play

[@micahgibbel3139]

We are playing this in my band this year and I am SO excited

[@akerieaung1274]

I'm playin this for my middle school's band and everyone in class loves it!!

[@KELOMusic]

Wow! That’s magic . Bravo

[@leah.4508]

This piece of music touched me so deeply. Wow, I'm speechless

[@princepokey]

hi lea!

[@elizabethweitzel6253]

I played this for an honor band on flute! Such a beautiful piece and it brought me chills! So amazing

[@yeet9709]

cali honor band?

[@elizabethweitzel6253]

@@yeet9709 no, canyon county honor band in ID

[@yeet9709]

@@elizabethweitzel6253 ohhh ya in ca were playing this too lol

[@Lexi...]

I played this today at an honors band, was super fun!!

[@well2424]

This is so good I might switch too band

[@MozzSylveon700]

We just played this at all-county band and it warms my heart so much and is such a sweet piece, it’s so fun to play and I love what it’s about ❤️

[@joebaneer7101]

Love this piece

[@isabelayala3470]

i played this at an honor band and i’m literally in love with this piece

[@anoagreen3544]

This is such a winning work Katahj! Love this so much, so much fun and love the soulful harmonies and drive. Thank you for uploading!

[@BbMinor7]

I loved this piece when you conducted it with my daughter’s Honors band.

[@anoagreen3544]

@@BbMinor7 thank you so much! When there is great music it almost plays itself!

[@anoagreen3544]

@@BbMinor7 thank you so much! It really lifts the spirits!

[@Trumpetplayer22]

Definitely ordering this for my band and Sunshine! But I know I'm not the only one getting the Final Fantasy VII vibes...

[@gabriellebertrand3054]

Does anyone else hear the notes matching the musical phrase of “Who needs a heart if a heart can be broken” from Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It”?

[@theyadore_skyy6959]

I’m playing it with my high school concert band I’m so glad to find a recording of it

[@mikey1305]

The Utah State University Symphonic Band will be performing this at the end of this semester. Our performance will sound a lot different than this, we field 8 horns and Dr. Weaver has us playing a very specific style. I have fallen in love with this piece.

[@Elextra_Wolf]

Playing this at carnegie hall was magical 💞💞

[@910.kayleighh]

wow!! i played this for all county and im already missing playing this piece

[@bigBOI245]

I played this for Parish Honor Band and it brings back so many memories because that is the first time I had maned up in my life and asked a senior out as a sophmore, she played 2nd part Alto Sax and I played 3rd. Thank you so much for this song.😢

[@meggiedougherty9573]

i got to play this as PLU honor band in January and it was the best 4½ minutes of my life i love this masterpiece so much ❤️

[@cadence649]

played this yesterday at an honors band festival on the tenor!

[@wishingwell444]

JanFest too?

[@mangoschmooves]

My director switched me to bari this year and I miss tenor so much

[@prettyrackszn]

Played this in Janfest in Athens this year and fell inlove, I actually cried while playing it. Didn't know it was on KZbin , this is amazing.

[@matthewvirto7946]

played this piece this year as a Freshman in honor band and it was one of my favorite musical experiences and I will never forget it.

[@TylerGonzalez-jl9mb]

Something about this song is so touching to me . Playing it was almost heartbreaking as a French horn player ,but the meaning behind it is so beautiful . Playing with emotions especially in a huge region band was the best experience.

[@hay5779]

i met you over video call last year when i was playing this for USC band clinic ! this year im doing the clinic again and we're playing celestia's horizon ! i relate to you a lot, and i have to say your music is some of my favorite ! i often listen to the new music you post and write. i love it !

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

Great piece. Saw Dr. McKoin (TTU) conduct it at a district honors band thing in Michigan last night. Added it to my Spotify playlist at intermission. Will go down a rabbit hole of Copley’s music today.

[@nicolaschano866]

Played this in region last year in symphonic, big w

[@BlackRaven-RedFox]

Can you put this on Spotify!!!!!!!!!

[@benovermire3372]

We just got this piece for spring quarter at Central Washington University. It’s easily my favorite piece on our rep. Cant wait to perform it in May!

[@1nstant433]

We're playing this piece for my summer community concert band, and I love how the different parts show such a profound emotion, its really amazing how wonderful this piece is to play and listen to. Great work man

[@princepokey]

i played this for wsu honor band and im about to play it again for xavier honor band. two times is not enough. i wish i could stay with this piece

[@JoseHernandez-ud9bd]

The director at UofSC made us play this for region, probably my favorite piece of the whole selection. ❤

[@gabrielduncan678]

I was there with you, first thing I did after the first day was look up this song, definitely my favorite

[@legoaurum3085]

Yeah it was the best (I was there too as a tenor)

[@gabrielduncan678]

Hey, this is kinda unrelated but do you remember what that Mexican sounding song that we played was called. I completely forgot the title and really liked that one too.

[@legoaurum3085]

@@gabrielduncan678 El relicario

[@JoseHernandez-ud9bd]

@@gabrielduncan678 symphonic dance no.3 “fiesta”

[@landofbol1098]

0:34 Takes massive inspiration from "Oogway Ascends" in Kung-Fu Panda soundtrack, almost exactly the same melody. This is basically Hans Zimmer if he wrote for concert band and used the minor 4 chord.

[@pokemonwrestler246]

It’s Final Fantasy VII, but good try😬. So this is basically Nobuo Uematsu or a BIPOC composer who wrote for concert band…who used the minor 4 chord…lol

[@landofbol1098]

@@pokemonwrestler246 Could you tell me the track that he took the melody from? It's so ridiculously similar to Oogway Ascends melody that anything else the composer took it from must've also been copying Hans Zimmer, or either Hans Zimmer was copying THAT composer. Basically just please elaborate I'm confused on what you mean, please explain more similarities between this and the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack.

[@_canon5519]

It sounds sort of similar, but it doesn't necessarily mean Copely took massive inspiration from it, as the dotted quarter followed by the dotted 8th isnt in oogway ascends. They more likely just took something that sounded pretty (making that massive jump then going back to the 5th) and thought it would fit.

[@landofbol1098]

@@_canon5519 I would partially agree if they weren't both in F major and you can just flip between the two tracks and hear a super similar melody, with the same exact primary notes

[@leahparsons3637]

I loved hearing this piece performed by Henderson All-County Highschool Band

[@rat_meat_ramen]

This piece is abosolutly beautiful. I am playing it for my middle school ensemble for french horn, and I love it so much. We are going to UGA this year, and we will also be playing one of your newer piece "Skyward." Both of the songs are absolute art, and I hope you continue with what you are doing.

[@jacobpurdy8713]

Played this at Disney springs in Orlando, Florida. Such a cool and fun experience. We also got to spend a few days in the theme parks as well! It was an amazing trip

[@k.i.clingerman8664]

I found my love. IT'S YOUR MUSIC ❤

[@isaackim4137]

second time i played a kataj copley song and I'm glad I could be a part of his songs

[@visionaryplayz4957]

I tear up playing this

[@CurlyGabe]

This is one of the songs that Percussion is actually fun in. I've seen multiple accounts of songs with a very iffy percussion part at best that doesn't show the potential the Percussion section could fulfill.

[@sicklymannered]

omgg I love this song!! My highschool concert band is playing this and it made our vice principal tear up 😭

[@radioforums.]

we played this song for honours band! it was definitely my favourite piece to play :)

[@MilevskyAndrew]

This is a great piece by Katahj! I love his music and I played a few pieces in my district band. I am a huge fan!

[@brentwilliams-tr7rb]

I am playing this for high school

[@nightfox-7773]

I love this piece so much but as the only oboe player in our band, I’m the only one with one specific 1/8th note pattern and it is extremely frustrating. 😂 but I love the way this piece sounds

[@ivyart3737]

I heard another band play this piece one year after I performed it and I was in tears ❤❤❤

[@ashtonblunt8583]

Played this at GMEA Allstate and it was a blast!

[@Water.melon.gaming]

Played this in 7th grade for a concert and it probably was the most challenging thing I’ve ever played to this day

[@brythkaltaris]

Playing this at the University of Florida soon, gonna be fun. Even though I was a relatively last minute addition to the percussion section

[@valoner4985]

At my school we’re playing this for our state set mainly to remember one of our band members who suddenly passed away and was obsessed with this song I’m happy we were able to convince our director to let us play this but it’s gonna be hard cause it reminds me of him