Saints Solo Eb/F

Grade Level 1

Year: 2011

Type: Eb/F Solo

Composer: James Curnow

Program Notes:

“When the Saints go Marching In” is so well-known that it is often referred to as “The Saints." It is an American gospel hymn that has taken on certain aspects of folk music. Though it originated as a spiritual, today people are more likely to hear it played in a jazz style.

The traditional use of the song is as a funeral march. In the funeral music tradition of New Orleans, it is often played as a dirge while accompanying the coffin to the cemetery. On the way back from the interment, it would switch to the familiar up tempo or Dixieland style.

“Saints,” as presented here, strives to capture the traditional funeral music form by featuring the soloist first in a slow dirge style, followed by an upbeat, syncopated style.

American Instrumental Ensemble Series (AIES/ABES)