Blending a traditional Korean folk song with standard concert band timbres, David Gillingham's colorful work is sure to be a fresh and welcome addition to your ensemble's repertoire.

Program Notes

Jeju Memoir was commissioned by the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival. The work is based on the ritualistic Jeju island folksong "Seouje Sori," a song often sung for recreation but also used as a work song for fisherman on the sea:

Risking my life, I cross that sea
The god of the sea shows me the way
Please take me to the place where there are lots of fish
A boat full of sailors row out to sea
Take pity on us poor souls and save us from this storm and fierce waves

First accompanied by low brass, bongos, congas, claves, bells, and vibraphone, the song is heard in B-flat major played by flutes and clarinets. After a short interlude the song is heard in canon, beginning in the trumpets followed by woodwinds and finally by low brass. A more extensive transition follows with a harmonization of the first part of the song and a modulation to C major. Flutes and clarinets play an ostinato comprised of thematic material against a harmonized version of the folksong played by the rest of the ensemble. Ensuing, the timpani picks up the tempo and the percussion play with motives of the folksong and settle into an ostinato that accompanies the trumpets again playing the folksong. A transition follows using short motives from the folksong and leads to A-flat major where a lovely harmonization of the folksong is heard in a slow tempo accompanied by cascading keyboard percussion. A bright closing section follows in B-flat major, beginning with the trumpets and alto sax playing the melody in 6/8 meter against the ensemble accompanying with a now familiar three-note motive from the folksong. The tail of the folksong transitions into common time and into a slow tempo along with an augmentation of the melody. A very fast coda brings the piece to a rousing close.