Date of Award
8-1989
Degree Name
Master of Music
Department
Music
First Advisor
Dr. Ramon Zupko
Second Advisor
Bradley G. Wong
Third Advisor
C. Curtis-Smith
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Variants on the Holiday Season is a symphonic poem for full orchestra. This composition is based on five Christmas songs including three Medieval tunes, "Nowel Syng We Bothe Al and Son," "Riu Riu," and "Two French Dances," along with "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Deck the Halls." Most of the music is derived from motives, rhythms, harmonies, and interval patterns of the original songs. The harmonies employed are created from the modes of the original tunes. Although there is no program supporting this work, it is considered a symphonic poem because it incorporates chimes, glockenspiel and sleigh bells which are all used to create allusions to the Christmas holiday.
Recommended Citation
Nash, Gary Powell, "Variants on the Holiday Season" (1989). Masters Theses. 5261.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/5261