THE PRAYER OF ELIJAH (band version)

Solo euphonium & concert band
Surround-sound
“Blows the audience away”
8 minutes. Soloist grade 6, band grade 3

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BLOWS THE AUDIENCE AWAY
I have conducted this work on several occasions and it always blows the audience away. All of Ayers’s works are extremely well-crafted by a composer who really knows and respects the concert band.
–Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, former President, Indiana Bandmasters & former President, Indiana Music Educators

fr0m the Windiana Ayers Biblical Epics Concert

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Instrumentation notes

  • This entire movement is an extended euphonium solo requiring an excellent player. The band parts are grade 3, not technically difficult, but requiring good musicianship.
  • Several extra “performers” twirl whistling tubes. These performers can be guests such as local students, board members, or dignitaries. (One of the “twirlers” should be a bona fide musician who has rehearsed with the band to serve as a “twirl-when-I-twirl” leader.

The tubes are available from toy stores and online retailers like Amazon.  A Google search for “whistling tubes” should locate them.


Performed by:

  • Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band, Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, conducting; Matthew Yee, euphonium
  • Windiana Concert Band, Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, conducting; Dennis Miller, euphonium
  • University of Rhode Island Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Dr. Gene Pollart, conducting
  • Concordia Wind Orchestra, Dr. Jeff Held, conducting
  • Heidelberg College Symphonic Band, Dr. John Owens, conducting
  • Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony, Dr. Richard Fischer, conducting
  • Virginia Intercollegiate Honors Band, Dr. Jesse Ayers, conducting
  • University of Kentucky Wind Ensemble, Dr. Richard Clary, conducting

Windiana Presents Ayers Biblical Epics Triolgy

The Windiana Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, presented a program on November 17, 2011, of the three large Biblical works by composer Jesse Ayers. The works performed were AND THEY GATHERED ON MOUNT CARMEL, JERICHO, and RAHAB.  Mezzo-soprano Beth Ray Westlund sang the role of Rahab. The concert was held at the historic Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso, Indiana, a venue used by the Sousa Band.


Other Works Based on the Old Testament

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