"Shenandoah" by Frank Ticheli

AMERICANA | The folk song "Shenandoah" is one of the best-known tunes in American culture. The origins of the haunting folk song named after the iconic Virginia valley are obscure, and its lyrics offer a variety of stories. This particular setting for concert band was commissioned by Hill Country (Texas) Middle School Symphonic Band, Cheryl Floyd, conductor, as a tribute to Jonathan Paul Cosentino, a horn player in the Hill Country band whose young life ended tragically in December of 1997. Composer Frank Ticheli remarks:
"In my setting of Shenandoah, I was inspired by the freedom and beauty of the folk melody and by the natural images evoked by the words, especially the image of a river. I was less concerned with the sound of a rolling river than with its life-affirming energy -- its timelessness. Sometimes the accompaniment flows quietly under the melody; other times it breathes alongside it. The work's mood ranges from quiet reflection, through growing optimism, to profound exaltation."

[@AHthatsit..]

This one will always bring me to tears; this was the very last song I played with my high school during my senior year as the Euphonium soloist. Shenandoah will always have a special place in my heart.

[@orangeorange6540]

Nice man I’m a freshman in hs and I also have this solo it’s so beautiful

[@AHthatsit..]

@@orangeorange6540 That’s awesome! You’ll do great!

[@thenarwhal8260]

It's a beautiful song except I'm an alto sax 2 with mostly cues in the beginning

[@tall_midget17]

I'm also a senior in HS, but a clarinetist. This will be part of my last concert coming up in a few weeks.

[@miaabrams-sartor2781]

This song sounds great but honestly I hate playing it. I have I think 58/78 measures resting. I am also only in 7th grade and so my band and I def not patient lol

[@christophermozart3304]

I had the honor of playing with and meeting the the USAF Band. These men and women are musicians at the highest caliber and have a great sense of humility.

[@mr.gameplay3882]

Played this in high school and it has never left my mind. I still shed tears when I hear any of the music I played in school

[@TylerG13]

I love ya Trent. I’m glad I got to play this with you.

[@kadencehuynh6592]

I remember we got this in middle school and my teacher transposed the flute trio to the clarinets because me and two others were like the ultimate clarinet trio so we played it. We never actually preformed it which makes me sad cause I loved it so much, and looking back I miss middle school band so much, it was actually paradise we were all one giant family that got to be together until we left to high school and had to leave all the 7th graders and our band teacher behind, I miss those days, I never realized how special they were back then ❤️

[@brandonm1708]

This arrangement is so good. I didn’t have a major part in it, yet the part always stayed very interesting. No holding single notes for 15 measures, only resting when it made sense, etc.

[@kayleetalkz254]

This is why I love Frank Ticheli pieces in general. I played third clarinet for this, where typically it’ll just be holding out whole notes with the shortest note being a quarter note but Frank Ticheli keeps every part interesting and it makes you more excited to play a beautiful piece like this.

[@31Alden]

A nuanced, beautifully performed piece of music.

[@nicholasgarrett742]

Been trying to remember the name of this song for years.

[@31Alden]

Lovely performance.

[@jwilson2042]

What a beautiful rendition, and the band looked so wonderful too. Thank you for sharing this. 🙏💖

[@phillyphakename1255]

I love that Frank Ticheli made this piece accessible and exciting for everyone from middle schoolers to the USAF band. A simple 10 bar tune, and yet his arrangement has wedged itself in the back of my mind for over a decade. Hubba!

[@jamesernst5278]

My symphonic winds this year is playing this piece and it's very beautiful!

[@wisteriafrog]

Played this in my last concert as a highschool senior. Crying atm knowing i havent touched a bassoon since then. I hope i will again one day.

[@31Alden]

Same with my clarinet, which I still have. Haven’t touched it since college. But I can’t let it go …

[@UnwellEuropean]

Playing this at our spring concert this may (im a bass clarinet)

[@SaberianVR]

Me too? Tf?

[@polero6769]

Same! Quite a small world huh?

[@SaberianVR]

@@polero6769like, I'm a bass.clari too. Wtf

[@hunterrobinson1461]

I play this song in honors wind ensemble as a Bari horn, quite an interesting piece I do say👍

[@courtneykappel370]

One of my favorite songs and favorite bands! So lovely. Thank you!

[@Gilbert-l5m]

Bravo and merci from France for such a beautiful interpretation !

[@Renostat_]

this is the first song i had ever learned on the trumpet. was reminded of this because i decided to dig around my house to find my sheet music from high school and forgot how beautiful this song was. maybe it’s time i bought one myself and start learning again…

[@adalynnreda9868]

begged my director senior year to let us play this again and it brought so many tears

[@rachelnguyen5079]

Amazing hymn Bravo 👏👏👏💜🌾🍀🌷💐

[@geisaune793]

Gorgeous

[@ethanpotter3004]

Super epic, great job 🎺🎵

[@A-random-seagall]

I got my music for band this year early checking the music I'm playing out I'm very excited to play this!(I'm a Euphonium)

[@A-random-seagall]

I'm the soloist and section leader so cool

[@oblivionplain2042]

And now I want to make an arrangement of this for my schools woodwind band!! I’ve always wanted to conduct this piece with them but now after listening to this beautiful performance I just feel like I have to!!

[@leviault5745]

Good job, this piece is always a good one

[@atlussy2]

my middle schools band is doing this song for our summer concert :)

[@atlussy2]

i got the flute solo :D

[@BonzbieBonnie]

listening to this makes me cry. because of the music itself and nostalgia.. i remember playing this in my freshmen year of highschool. me along with a huge army of trumpets (12 total)

[@tommyverduzco5107]

Chills.

[@karnak472]

What an outstanding rendition of a middle school arrangement. My compliments to the band for their outstanding performance since none (thankfully) were watching their inept conductor.

[@albieh2563]

He really isn't a very good conductor.

[@Walkeranz]

Class

[@TheUSAFBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielwilson5877]

So are we just going to ignore the ASMR head microphone in the middle of the ensemble while this beautiful piece is being played? haha

[@SarahVeronezi-sx2rk]

I really, truly want to know the actual composers mind, feelings, story behind the song… I know the stories but I want to know all of it. ❤❤❤

[@brendantrott5118]

Terrific performance let down by a somewhat particularly dry acoustic, a Wind Ensemble needs to breathe.

[@chrisg0001]

All I can say is that it's bullshit that the conductor (who usually has the same, if not less real-world experience and degrees) is an officer, where-as these musicians have the same, if not, more education and training are simply enlisted

[@brodyodyo4671]

i wanted to perform in a band like this but it’s so much work for basic training AND music theory. it’s ridiculous.

[@donpaynter2564]

The conductor is the commander and leader for the entire organization and has other leadership and administrative roles and responsibilities beside conducting. If the performers wanted to conduct and had the qualifications to be commissioned I’m sure they could apply. BTW, referring to noncommissioned officers as “simply enlisted” is somewhat demeaning and insults the honor, integrity and talent of the back bone of our military.

[@shaneweisberg6884]

"Simply enlisted" what an asshole! You have no idea how discrediting that is to the people who enlist to serve our country day in and day out close to home and overseas, how about you enlist to see how "simple" it really is!

[@jyoung6366]

It’s hilarious that you say “simply enlisted” while trying to slam an officer. Btw, theyre all choices lmao

[@philfreeman5567]

Look at all those strips. Looks like they hand them out like candy, nowadays. When I was in the Air Force, promotions were hard to come by. Same goes for medals and ribbons. Dress blues today look like wall paper with ribbons. Does everything have to go woke?

[@wisteriafrog]

Bro just enjoy the music