Chorale Prelude for June

Description

Chorale Prelude for June was commissioned by a consortium of former student teachers and colleagues of June Henry Bearden. It is dedicated to Mrs. Bearden on the occasion of her May 2018 retirement after 29 years of successful teaching in the Monahans, Plainview, Lubbock and Frenship school districts. Her bands were consistent UIL award winners, and she dedicated her career to preparing her students for future success. She has touched the lives of many in a positive and caring way. Mrs. Bearden continues to be involved in clinics, adjudication, convention presentations, and consultant work. She is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Phi Beta Mu. June is the current president of the Texas Chapter of the Women Band Directors International Association. She was a member of Tau Beta Sigma and Mu Phi Epsilon and holds an honorary membership in Kappa Kappa Psi.

This work is written to reflect Mrs. Bearden’s love for the old, traditional church hymns. It opens and closes with themes from the Old Rugged Cross which moves into the beautiful melody of Holy, Holy, Holy played by the horn section (Mrs. Bearden’s instrument) and has a western feel in honor of Mrs. Bearden’s Texas roots. With a sudden trumpet call, the piece moves into an up-tempo feel as the strains of Just A Closer Walk with Thee are scattered about the ensemble. The transition which sets up the ending brings back The Old Rugged Cross with whispers of Amazing Grace woven into the texture.

Composer Gabe Musella met Mrs. Bearden in the Goin’ Band! Like June, he loves old hymns, probably because of the countless memories of his youth watching his grandfather, Guadalupe Villarreal, performing as a church musician in a Pentecostal church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Also, like Mrs. Bearden, Gabe is retired from teaching in 2018 after 30 years of teaching band in Texas. Mr. Musella thanks his college director, Keith Bearden, and the many members of the consortium, for the opportunity to honor June!

Published by: RBC Publications