Today I’m calling attention to an instrumental arrangement I did a few years ago, “Meditation on Hursley.” This is arranged for a brass quintet: 2 trumpets, F Horn, Trombone and Tuba. I would put it in the intermediate to advanced levels, because of range, but it is a very accessible arrangement.
This tune has a disputed history, but it is rather clear that it has been around for a very long time! It’s been used in Psalters and Hymnals. If you know hymns, you may be familiar with its use for “Sun of My Soul.” That was once the practice before all of the copyright laws and commercial greed took over the art process in music. Composers would find a familiar tune with a meter that matched their lyrics and SURPRISE, they had a song. These would be used in taverns for sing-alongs, concert halls, places of worship, etc.
Today you would probably get sued for doing that unless you had the composer’s permission and paid a royalty. So, if you want to do that without such a hassle, find an old song that’s public domain. Hursley is now public domain. Actually, it very likely was that old when it first got the masses’ attention. It’s a very endearing tune. The sound of it is haunting and stirs so many deep thoughts and emotions.
I have a few other voicings for this arrangement I may release in time. If you have an event upcoming that requires such a piece, give it a try. You’ll find it on Sheet Music Plus.