Jesse Ayers


Rachel Weeping for her Children: September 11, 2001

Instrumentation2 (dlb picc), 1, 0, 0 -- 4, 3, 3, 1 -- Timp, 1 perc. -- Strings
Length2:00
DifficultyModerate.
CommentsA memorial piece for the victims of 9/11. Dissonance and disjunct thematic lines used to express anguish. The piece is intentionally short, because so many lives were cut short. At the conclusion of the work, the composer requests that the audience refrain from applause and that a minute of silence be observed in memory of those who perished.
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com
ExtrasInformation and sound clips at
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Rachel_Weeping/rachel_home.php
HistoryConductor comments:
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Rachel_Weeping/rachel_comments.php

Performance history:
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Rachel_Weeping/rachel_perform.php
Contributorthe composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

Veni Emmanuel

Instrumentation2 (dlb picc), 2, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4, 3, 3, 1 -- Timp, 3 perc -- Harp -- Strings -
OPTIONAL SATB chorus. Can be adapted for multiply choirs, see web links for info.
Length8:30
DifficultyModerate
CommentsThis setting of the 15th century tune Veni Emmanuel, (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel) is designed to be a dramatic procesional to open a Chirstmas program. Although composed to be performed with choir, all choral parts are crossed-cued in the instrumental parts so that it may be performed without singers.

It begins dark and sombre and grows progressively brighter and more cheerful and finally festive. After the first statement of the words "Rejoice! Rejoice!" the listener will hear the brass briefly quote the hymn " Crown Him With Many Crowns." The piece closes softly, with a solo trumpet asking the question "What wondrous love is this?"

It also supports the use of multiple choirs for institutions with large choral programs.
Verse 1: Unison men (can be sung by the men's choir)
Verse 2: SSAA (can be sung by the women's choir)
Verse 3: SATB (can be sung by the mixed choir)
Verse 4: SSAATTBB (can be sung by all choirs)
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com
ExtrasInformation and at http://jesseayers.com/Works/Veni/veni_home.php
HistoryConductor comments:
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Veni/veni_comments.php

Performance history:
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Veni/veni_perform.php
Contributorthe composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

Dance of the Mountain Raindrops

Instrumentationpiano soloist and strings
Length8:45
DifficultyModerate
CommentsThis piece uses elements of traditional writing, minimalism, layer building, and jazz.
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com
ExtrasInformation and sound clips available at
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Mountain_Raindrops/Raindrops_home.php
History"Your Dance is very popular in our country. Since its initial broadcast in the 'World Premiere' television series, it has been used several times as the theme music for some of our national television programs." -- Dubravka Jovicic, concert pianist, Belgrade, Serbia

Information on recording at http://jesseayers.com/recordings.php#raindrops
Contributorthe composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

Fanfare for Christmas Morning

Instrumentation2222 -- 4331 -- 1-3 snare drums (doubling same part), bass drum, cymbals -- strings
Length1.5 minutes
Difficultyeasy
CommentsRuffles and flourishes on "Joy to the World." A festive opener for a Christmas/holiday concert. Band and orchestral version are in the same key to enable joint performances. Key is D major, same as carol, so that a segue can be made into an audience sing of "Joy to the World."
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com/Works/Fanfare_Christmas/Fanfare_Christmas_home.php

http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra
Extrasmp3 at above links
HistoryWarren Symphony Orchestra, David Daniels, conducting
Malone College Symphonic Band, Cynthia Bridges, conducting
ContributorJesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

Jericho

Instrumentation3333-4431 hp pno 3 or 6 perc (2 versions) optional SATB chorus strings
Length16 minutes
Difficultymoderate
CommentsA dramatic surround-sound work with narration based on the Old Testament account of the battle of Jericho. Unorthodox audience participation. Haunting special effects.

"The most imaginative, unusual and successful work I have ever performed in 33 years of conducting"—Dr. Richard Fischer, Concordia University Chicago

"Last night [in Little Rock], almost the entire audience was in tears after Jericho." from email from Rich Fischer, March 5, 2006
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com/Works/Jericho/Jericho_home.php

http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra
Extras
HistoryBand version performed 11 times around the U.S.
ContributorJesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

...and they gathered on Mount Carmel

Instrumentation2+1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4331 -- timp+3 -- piano -- optional women's chorus -- strings
Length25 minutes
Difficultymoderate
CommentsA dramatic, surround-sound work in three movements based on the Old Testament account of the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal. The brass are divided into two antiphonal choirs on either side of the audience. There are a few other players behind the audience providing echos and special effects.

"I have conducted this work on several occasions and it always blows the audience away!" -- Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, Valparaiso University
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_0/carmel_home.php

http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra
Extras
HistoryPerformed numerous times in the band version. =
Band version selected by international jury to represent the United States at World Music Days (Slovenia) 2003.
ContributorJesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

The Incantations of the Prophets of Baal

Instrumentation2-1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4331 -- timp+3 -- piano -- strings
Length7.5 minutes
Difficultymoderate
CommentsMultiple layers of rhythmic patterns of differing lengths which move in and out of phase over an ever quickening harmonic cycle are used to create a hypnotic, rhythmic vitality reflecting this ritualistic dancing. The music grows increasingly wilder and more frantic as the movement progresses.

A good percussion section will love this piece.
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_1_Incantations/incantations_home.php

http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra
Extras
HistoryNumerous performances of the band version
ContributorJesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

The Prayer of Elijah

InstrumentationSolo horn or solo euphonium with orchestra.
2002 -- 2020 -- 3 perc -- piano -- strings
Several extras twirl "whistling tubes" from behind the audience. Visit web site links for explanation and to hear mp3.
Length8 minutes
Difficultysoloist moderate, orchestra easy
CommentsA surround-sound work. Two trombones echo the soloist from the two rear corners of the hall.
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_2_Prayer/prayer_home.php

http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra
Extras
HistoryNumerous performances in band version
ContributorJesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

The Fire of the Living God

Instrumentation2+1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4331 -- timp+3 -- piano -- optional women's chorus -- strings
Several extras who twirl "whistling tubes" from behind audience
Length9 minutes
Difficultymoderate
CommentsMassive blocks of rhythmically active sound are juxtaposed against each other. This piece consistently draws a very strong, positive reaction from the audience and performers alike. Because of this, most conductors have programmed this as their closing work.

Band version selected by international jury for performance at World Music Days 2003 (Slovenia)
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_3_Fire/fire_home.php

http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra
Extras
HistoryNumerous performances in band version around the U.S.
ContributorJesse Ayers, composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

The Passion of John Brown

Instrumentation3333 4431 timp+3 pno hp str + narrator
or
2232 4331 timp+3 pno hp str + narrator
Length17-18 minutes
Difficultymoderate
CommentsTells the story of controversial 19th-century abolitionist John Brown (1800-1859), both the good and the bad, including many source quotations from John Brown, his offspring, the widow of a man Brown ordered murdered, and even Stonewall Jackson, who witnessed to Brown's 1859 hanging. Brown's live crossed paths with peaceful abolitionist Fredrick Douglass, Colonel Robert E. Lee (yes, colonel at the time), and a young calvary officer named J.E.B. Stuart.

This is NOT another "Lincoln Portrait;" it strives to be an even-handed presentation of the life of a man about whom historians still argue, and whose life has been described as the "meteor of war."

Musically, the piece is audience-friendly.

Christopher Wilkins, conductor and music director, Akron Symphony Orchestra, wrote:
Jesse, you’ve done it. It is gripping and stirring, without being sentimental. It moves incredibly well - I can’t believe it’s 17 minutes. We’ll be on the edge of our seats.
Sourceshttp://jesseayers.com
Extrashttp://jesseayers.com/works_orch.php
HistoryCommissioned by the Akron Symphony Orchestra in observance of the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry Oct 16-18, 1859.

Premiere October 17, 2009 (subscription concert).
Contributorthe composer
http://jesseayers.com/contact
Other

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