Jackfert - Appalachian Impressions: Sonata for Euphonium

Composer's Notes:

I. Autumn at the Grist Mill

≈ 3:30 - 4 min.

II. A Train Through Snowy Thurmond

≈ 4 min.

III. Hootenanny

≈ 2:30 min.

Appalachian Impressions is a series of portraits on scenes in the composer’s home state of West Virginia.

 The Glade Creek Grist Mill is one of the most photographed places in West Virginia, especially during the autumn. The iconic rustic mill is nestled within the foliage of Babcock State Park, overlooking a small waterfall in a creekbed. There, the trees shiver in the brisk autumn air, while tunes of Appalachia can be heard resonating off the distant hills…

 Once a bustling railroad hub for the Chesapeake and Ohio, Thurmond is all but a ghost town these days. Few coal trains still wind their way along the New River Gorge as they inevitably pass through Thurmond. Even in winter, the trains roll on as they plow through snow and ice, though today, only a whisper of the activity that used to be remains hanging in the air.

 Hootenanny is one of those times where an Appalachian can forget about the daily struggles and indulge in folk music and dancing. One can easily lose themselves in the driving rhythms and nasally twang of the banjo and the unrelenting beat of the upright string bass. Here, it’s ok to just take off your shoes and live in the moment.

Written for Euphonium and Piano

Parts- BC and TC