Prelude on a Festive Hymn Tune

Composer Donald Coakley was asked by the Pastor of St. William’s Roman Catholic Church, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to write a hymn based on verses he had written about the parish’s namesake. What developed is this powerful prelude. Fanfares in the cornets and trombones, runs in the upper voices and melodic material throughout the ensemble make this a powerful opener to a concert.