American Song Settings, No. 2

Skip to My Lou, the second in a series of wind band settings of familiar melodies, was written for and is dedicated to the Maitland (FL) Middle School Wind Ensemble, Eric Mendez, director. It opens with a short introduction utilizing the opening notes of the melody, proceeding to its first full statement in the upper woodwinds. The second presentation features the trumpets and xylophone followed by a statement in the bass instruments while the melody “Long, Long Ago” appears in the upper voices. A contrasting legato section follows, succeeded by a more rhythmic statement in woodwinds and trumpets. The melody then appears in the alto saxophones with a contrasting idea in upper woodwinds. A marcato statement of the melody appears as a three-bar phrase with a staccato accompaniment. The final section utilizes the style of the opening measures and is expanded to bring the work to a final climactic conclusion.