Better Angels

Description

Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Clarinet in Bb 3, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Trumpet in Bb 3, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Trombone 3, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Xylophone, Bells, Chime, Timpani, Finger Cymbals, Percussion 1, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Tom-tom, Bass Drum, Maracas, Percussion 2, Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Tambourine, Whip — “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”— Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1861)There is a place that is better than hate. Better than bigotry. Better than ignorance. Better than violence. We catch glimpses of it ever so briefly, and fleetingly. We strive for a fuller view of this place that can only be attained by embracing the better angels of our humanity.Better Angels was commissioned by the Raleigh Concert Band (Raleigh, North Carolina), Lem Bruce Hardy II, conductor in celebration of their 40th anniversary (2018).