River Valley Suite

The first movement, 'The River,' depicts majesty and power with the theme played initially by the trumpets and horns.

The second movement, 'Trail of Tears,' features a haunting meldoy played by euphonium and later by English horn which portrays the suffering of Native Americans traveling from their homelands up the river to Oklahoma.

The third movement, 'The War,' depects the Civil War and includes the tune 'Bonnie Blue Flag.'

The fourth movement, 'The People' represents the hard working people who lived along the river. The woodwinds play the opening fiddle motive folled by a work motive featuring an anvil.

The fifth movement, again titled 'The River,' builds to an exciting conclusion and recaps all the themes heard in the suite."

Mark Hosker, Clemson Univeristy (Clemson, South Carolina)