Dance of the Western Sky
"God has made the clouds to dance upon the wind." This sentence is written underneath the title and gives the inspiration for this original composition for 3-5 octaves of bells with optional timpani, snare drum, orchestra bells and voices. Symphonic in character, the music has a dramatic beginning suggesting the huge thunder-head clouds found in the western skies. A light, airy section follows, reminiscent of cotton puff clouds. The wide-openness of the western prairie is musically depicted next with the choir singing on the syllable "Ah" in a straight tone as they ring the melody. The dramatic opening material reappears and leads into an unmistakably "old west" melodic theme suggesting a stage coach ride down a dusty trail. As sunset falls on the work the music softens to depict the glorious sunsets and gentle whisper of the wind.(Review written by the composer.) Measures total 113.