The Alamo

MOVEMENT 1: HOEDOWN
“Ole’ Dan Tucker Hoedown” depicts a carefree, open range expression of the western spirit.  This selection utilizes the folk melody of “Ole’ Dan Tucker” and involves a toe-tappin’, foot-stompin’ celebration of the free spirit of the wild, wild west. Ol’e Dan Tucker Hoedown captures the rugged spirit of a frontier Friday night hoedown. Highlight all of the syncopations, allowing soloists to cut loose and put their own stamp on each presentation (these may be re-written for other instruments if the player’s ability level is not up to the challenge). Note: on the non-instrumental portion (whistles, hand-claps, singing, and foot stomps), help the players to “sell” this!  Singing parts should sound “rough around the edges.” The singing should have a rugged quality and no attempts should be made at refinement. Instruct instrumentalists to close and sustain final consonants (r’s and n’s). At the conductor’s discretion, the hoedown may be dramatized further by adding random high-pitched “yee-hah’s,” using a genuine washboard, a real fiddler, and a live “jug-player.” Hoedown! Approximate performance time: (2:00)

MOVEMENT 2: THE BATTLE
The Alamo remains today one of America’s bastions of independence. Bought with the price of 115 lives, the story of the fight for this Texas gateway in San Antonio lives on today in a mixture of fondness, folklore, and fable.The inspiration for this composition is the composer’s first visit to the Alamo. This composition tells of the west’s most oft-told tale, depicting the final confrontation of the siege and closing with a quiet prayer. Before the muskets and gunpowder make their entrance, listen for the winds blowing across the tumbleweeds, followed instantly by the approach of Santa Anna’s mass of soldiers. Next, you will hear the valiant Crockett’s Theme in a minor key, played by the French Horns. The Battle closes in a final volley of cannon and gunpowder explosions. The timpani roll connects the end of the battle to a somber Chorale: In Memorium.

MOVEMENT 3: CHORALE–IN MEMORIAM
Chorale: In Memorial, Crockett’s Theme resurfaces in a major key, recalling the courageous sacrifices of champions like Davy Crockett, Col. William Travis, Jim Bowie, and the other heroes whose sacrifice has contributed to our way of life and causes us to raise the cry, “Remember The Alamo.” Approximate performance time: 5 mins.

The Alamo: Movement 1 – Hoedown

The Alamo: Movement 2 – The Battle

The Alamo: Movement 2 – Chorale: In Memoriam

The Alamo: Wind Ensemble (all three movements)