Meditation on Hursley

Posted on January 20, 2022 by Will Suit Music

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.

 

About Will Suit Music

Will Suit is a native of North Georgia. His involvement in music is a lifelong love. He holds a performance degree from Tennessee Temple University and certifications as an Elementary Education Specialist in piano and voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and the National Federation of Music Clubs. His studio is geared toward engaging students, young and mature, to find the fun and sheer joy of experiencing music. Will grew up in the mountains of North Georgia, where he began singing and playing piano at age 5. His dad was a church pastor and his mom the pianist. So, needless to say, his talents were developed and pursued in that setting. Upon graduation from college, he spent more than twenty years as a music director. After leaving that profession in 2005, Will continued his love for writing as well as providing private music instruction. He worked as an independent contractor until 2018 when he opened Pedal Point Music. While the business keeps him busy, Will continues to maintain a full studio of students, a summer music workshop for young vocalists, two regular podcasts and a myriad of other activities. Will is also an avid composer and writer. He loves blogging, writing poetry, and, of course, composing music. He released a children’s album in 2017 called, “IN MY BACKYARD.” “IL GUFO, IL TOPO” is a children’s opera about the adventures of a young mouse, who ventures into a dark forest and encounters an owl. He’s written a stack of anthems, orchestrations and solos over the years. His series of musical studies/tools, “THE OWL SAYS HOO” encourages young singers toward healthy vocal production and musicianship. Most of the children’s songs in his collections were written to enhance the learning experience. It’s not unusual for others to pass his studio and hear his young students gleefully singing along to one of his tunes while he belts out the lyrics at the piano. His love of music is not lost on his young students, who eagerly look forward to lessons with “Mr. Will” week after week.
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