At rayhortonmusic, we have a philosophy: We believe that the rental costs of new music are a huge prohibitive factor, limiting the performance of new music. Therefore we sell our orchestral and other pieces at a reasonable cost, trying to encourage more performances. This does leave us open to missing payment from ASCAP for undereported performances, so it does call upon all purchasing organizations to be honest in
reporting all performances.
Works for Orchestra
Make Gentle the Life of This World
Using the speech by Senator Robert Kennedy on the night of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Using the speech by Senator Robert Kennedy on the night of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2018 marked the 50th anniversary of one of the most tumultuous
years in the second half of America's 20th century, 1968, including the
assassinations of Martin Luther KIng, Jr., and Senator Robert Kennedy.
In preparation for that year, I have prepared a new version of my acclaimed work
"Make Gentle the Life of This World" with cues and minor re-scoring,
making the work playable by any sized ensemble from chamber orchestra (2[1.2/pic] 1 2 1 — 2 2[1/flug.2] 0 0 — tmp+2 — str perc: bd, field dr, glock, xyl, vib)
to full orchestra (3[1.2.3/pic] 3[1.2.Eh] 3[1.2.bcl] 3[1.2.cbn] — 4 3[1/flug] 3 1 — tmp+2 — str perc: bd, field dr, glock, xyl, vib).
I hope that the work
will find performances by orchestras of all types with this useful edition!

Make Gentle the Life of This World
awarded a "Special Judge's Citation, Recognizing Unique Artistic Achievement"
by The 2012 American Prize in Composition: Orchestra Division (Professional).
The award, "recognizing Unique Artistic Achievement...is a recognition of distinction,
noting a concept (and its execution) of distinctive merit."
"The highlight of the season"
(Audience member, following one orchestra's performance)
“Skillfully crafted...honored its subject in a tellingly fresh perspective”
(Andrew Adler, Louisville Courier-Journal)
"A beautiful piece...a wonderful melodic & harmonic sense”
(Lawrence L. Smith, Music Director Emeritus, Colorado Springs Philharmonic)
“a very moving work, a work you ought to know about”
(Jesse Ayers, composer: http://www.jesseayers.com)
"The high-point of the concert for everyone was a new piece,
commemorating Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King.
[An NSO player] told me, 'That was the one that got me.'
And as she told me the story I think her eyes got misty again."
(A blog by a National Symphony member,after a joint performance
by members of the National Symphony and the Louisville Orchestra).
Now in a new (2015) version with cues for Chamber Orchestra performance.
Download Make Gentle the Life of This World excerpt SCORE below for
instrumentation, duration, background on the work.
Please contact us for any additional information needed.
Make Gentle the Life of This World excerpt
|
make_gentle_excerpts_score.pdf | |
File Size: | 16060 kb |
File Type: |
American Shapes
A new three movement, 14-minute work for orchestra based on early American shaped note tunes from Southern Harmony.
American Shapes would be a challenge for a good high school orchestra, fun to play for pros or for a good community orchestra. Movement two features a nice sliding trombone solo and a fun timpani part.
Awaiting premiere. Contact us for more information.
for purchase
American Shapes would be a challenge for a good high school orchestra, fun to play for pros or for a good community orchestra. Movement two features a nice sliding trombone solo and a fun timpani part.
Awaiting premiere. Contact us for more information.
for purchase
Appalachian Studies
Three movements for orchestra based on Appalachian songs, hymns and fiddle tunes.
Playable by a good high school orchestra, enjoyable by any level through professional.
Called "an evocative symphonic suite...at times tender, at times rousing" by Dudley Saunders of the Louisville Times.
Score and parts in preparation. Contact us for more information.
Playable by a good high school orchestra, enjoyable by any level through professional.
Called "an evocative symphonic suite...at times tender, at times rousing" by Dudley Saunders of the Louisville Times.
Score and parts in preparation. Contact us for more information.
The Long Road to Freedom: The Mitchums of Young America
A 22-minute work for orchestra, two narrators and bass-baritone singer that quotes spirituals, hymns and pioneer songs as it tells the true story of a group of 107 freed slaves that settled in Southern Indiana in 1814 and the white couple that made that group’s freedom their life’s mission. Excellent for educational concerts. Playable by a community orchestra, easy for pros.
Also: Deep River (arranged for solo voice & orchestra from The Long Road To Freedom: The Mitchums Of Young America)
Contact us for more information on either of these works
A 22-minute work for orchestra, two narrators and bass-baritone singer that quotes spirituals, hymns and pioneer songs as it tells the true story of a group of 107 freed slaves that settled in Southern Indiana in 1814 and the white couple that made that group’s freedom their life’s mission. Excellent for educational concerts. Playable by a community orchestra, easy for pros.
Also: Deep River (arranged for solo voice & orchestra from The Long Road To Freedom: The Mitchums Of Young America)
Contact us for more information on either of these works