Flowers of the Forest Reber Clark

Written as a memorial, Flowers of the Forest is based on a poem of the same name by the composer affirming the idea that death is a change and not an end. The simple haunting melody has echoes of a Scottish folk song with the bagpipe-like drone providing a foundation.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 4 | Duration: 4:35

Instrumentation
Flute
Oboe (opt.)
Bassoon (opt.)
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2/3
Bass Clarinet 1/2
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1
Trumpet in Bb 2
Trumpet in Bb 3
Horn in F 1
Horn in F 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Euphonium
(Baritone T.C.)
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion 1 (snare drum, bass drum, low concert tom)
Percussion 2 (suspended cymbal, tam-tam, crash cymbals)
Percussion 3 (bells, tambourine)
Percussion 4 (chimes)

Program Notes
Flowers of the Forest was commissioned by Denise Tenney for the Cabot Junior High North Symphonic Band of Cabot, Arkansas in memory of her father, Charles Alexander.

I was initially attracted to the title and later found out that it is also the title of a traditional Scottish lament for the loss of loved ones. This is not the traditional Scottish tune or words, but my words, and the melody that came from them, were written to affirm the idea that death is a change and not an end.

In the deep abiding wooded glen
Are the flowers of the forest
And I know they hold true
To the place wherein they grow.

In the high forests of the lonely plains
Midst the stormy winds of autumn
They are there evermore
Though the tempest rage on high.

Though mankind in fruitless ways does strive
To ensure a safe tomorrow.
We can't know what will be
And we cannot make a flower.

So the smiles of those who are dear to us
And the sun in clouds above
Are more dear to our hearts
Than the things that Man does prize.
Than the things that Man does prize.

When the sunlight falters through the dappled shade
Neath the trees upon the mountain
Then I know that the flowers
Will be closing gainst the night.

But the sun shall wake then in the morning light
And they'll open to the brightness
Of a day so renewed
That its blazing won't expire.