David Holsinger - Works

Works

His works include:

• ABRAM'S PURSUIT, a rollicking overture based on a story of Abram from the Book of Genesis
• AT THE STRONGHOLDS OF EN GEDI
• A CHILDHOOD HYMN, which is based on the hymnsong "Jesus Loves Me"
• ADAGIO, composed in memory of a departed friend, an intensely emotional synthesis of both joy and pain.
• AMERICAN FACES, a triumphant overture celebrating the diversity of America.
• BALLET EXALTARE, A Grade 5 piece written in a somewhat more classical style for Holsinger.
• BALLET SACRA, a 15-minute work that includes a short choir part in the middle section.
• BATTLE MUSIC (2001), a work inspired by Revelations 12:7; “And there was war in Heaven...”
• Cityscapes
• Cluster Fluster Bluster March
• Coal Mountain Portrait, his latest piece that was commissioned by the WV Bandmasters Association for the 2010 WV All-State Band which he conducted and it debuted on March 6, 2010.
• CONSIDER THE UNCOMMON MAN, a memorial work
• DIVERTIMENTED DANCES, composed for the 2006 Massachusetts All-State Festival which he also conducted. It is a series of seven dances.
• DEERPATH DANCES
• The Easter Symphony, a three movement, 55 minute chorale symphony based on the Passion of Christ
• Elegy on an American Folktune: Remembering Erin Suzanne Hutchison
• Every Morning New
• Falcon Attack!
• Fantasy on a Gaelic Hymnsong
• Festiva Jubiloso
• Fort Canterbury March
• The Gathering of the Ranks at Hebron
• GEARS PULLEYS CHAINS (2005), a playful tribute to the mechanical history of Shelby, Ohio
• Havendance (1985) overture for concert band, written for Holsinger's daughter, Haven. This piece is arguably the most musically eclectic of the "Holsinger children" pieces.
• Nilesdance (1987), written for Holsinger's son, Niles, characterized by a certain, short repeating phrase.
• Graysondance (1995), written for Holsinger's son, Grayson. This most recent of the "Holsinger children" pieces is characterized by a jazzy mood, featuring walking bass lines and other such elements.
• Gmyway's Revenge! (1994) This piece is a three-movement work for symphonic band. It was written for the tenth anniversary of the Greater Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble, reflected in the name of the piece. The first movement of the piece is entitled "Alla Brashly Bravura: 'Enter the Hero, Sir Gmyway of Vordak,'" characterized by its rather whimsical nature. The second movement, "Intermezzo? Thoughtso!: 'The Beguiling Countess Adnil,'" is a considerable shift in character, beginning with a lonesome flute solo and slowly augmenting to include the rest of the band. The third, and perhaps most infamous (among band students, horn players, esp.), movement is entitled "Presto Zoomissimo-issimo-issimo!:'In Pursuit of Rattazinski, der Villain!'" It is perpetually kinetic, often characterized by a syncopated 5/4 rhythm. The names of these movements have significance in the context of the premiere of the piece. "Vordak" is a rearrangement of "Dvorak," the surname of the conductor of this piece's premiere. "Adnil" is simply Dvorak's wife's first name (Linda) spelled backward. Finally, "Rattazinski" refers to a rival conductor. Gmyway's Revenge is considered a staple of the concert band literature.
• Helm Toccata
• HERO MUSIC (2005), commissioned to celebrate the life of a well loved Tennessee band director
• HOMAGE: THREE TAPESTRIES, Holsinger's tribute to composer Vaclav Nelhybel
• IN THE SPRING, AT THE TIME WHEN KINGS GO OFF TO WAR
• LITURGICAL DANCES is subtitled Benedecamus Socii Domine which translates "Let us (all), as companions, Praise the Lord!"
• THE MAELSTROM, Commissioned for the L'Anse Creuse High School Wind Symphony in Harrison Township, Michigan.
• Mobbusters!
• ON AN AMERICAN SPIRITUAL is based upon the African hymnsong "Were you there?"
• ON ANCIENT HYMNS AND FESTAL DANCES
• "ON A HYMSONG OF LOWELL MASON" is based on Lowell Mason's 1832 work Olivet (My Faith Looks Up To Thee).
• ON A HYMNSONG OF PHILIP BLISS (1989) is Holsinger's translated American hymn “It is Well with my Soul”. It is his largest selling work and has been used in several televised memorial performances in recent years, including commemorative services for the Challenger astronauts, Ronald Reagan, and the fallen heroes of the American armed forces. This piece was written to honor Rev. Steve Edel, the retiring principal of Shady Grove Christian Academy, and was presented to him as a gift by the academy's concert band.
• ON THE GRAND PRAIRIE TEXAS
• On The Overland Stage to El Paso
• One Day In a Small Town... (2004), a four-movement piece commissioned by the Fayette (Mo.) High School Music Boosters for director Roy "Skip" Vanedelicht after his 25th year at the school. First movement, titled "On a Breeze That Drifts About Courthouse Square" includes strains from "Barnum and Bailey's Favorite", the school song from Holsinger's alma mater, Central Methodist University. The song is played by marching band in all parades, and all parades will follow a route that goes around the courthouse square in Fayette. The second movement, titled "Dancing and Mischief in Liberty Park" is named for a city park located on the south side of the town. The third movement, titled "An Immeasurable Hero", is in reference to Vandelicht. The fourth movement, titled "Chasing the Band Bus on MO240" includes "Washington and Lee Swing", the fight song for Fayette High School. Missouri Route 240 goes through Fayette.
• Partita Allegro, for woodwind chir
• Peasant Dance Village
• PRELUDE AND RONDO
• Prairie Dances It contains many alternating time signatures.
• PRAISES, a six-movement ballet suite
• RIDING WITH THE FRONTIER BATTALION Commissioned by the Association of Texas Small School Bands for the 2000 ATSSB Symphonic Band. Holsinger conducted the premier performance.
• SCOOTIN’ ON HARDROCK, a jazz suite for concert band. Commissioned by the Grand Island, NY music program for the Grand Island, NY High School Wind Ensemble. Holsinger conducted the premier performance.
• Solemn Hymn & Rowdy Dance, debuted at the Virginia District 7 All-District Band Concert on February 5, 2011 by the Senior Symphonic Band
• THE SONG OF MOSES, a four movement band/choral work premiered by the United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants and selected for broadcast nationally on a National Public Radio Special Project on Vocal Music in August 1997
• SCRAPPY BUMPTOE'S PICTURE CARDS AND RAGTAG DIARY, composed for the Kansas Brass Quintet
• SINFONIA VOCI for band and choir
• SYMPHONIC MOVEMENT, commissioned by the Missouri Bandmasters Association for the 25th Anniversary of the Missouri All-State Band in 2001.
• TEXAS PROMENADE, celebrating the 50th Anniversary Convention of the Texas Bandmasters Association

• To Tame the Perilous Skies was commissioned by the 564th Tactical Air Command Band, United States Air Force, located in Virginia, and received its premiere performance in the fall of 1990. Although it leaves the storyline completely to the listener's imagination, "Perilous Skies" was conceived as a programmatic work literally depicting two opposing forces colliding in battle. The elongated canonic introduction presents a six-pitch intervallic display that is used throughout the composition, both as an intact melodic statement and a fragmented germative device, to depict every extra-musical element from serenity to air war to triumphal deliverance. Little did Holsinger realize the prophetic nature of the work, when at the time of its premiere the United Nations forces were assembling in the Persian Gulf; it was only a few months later that the world watched as modern technological air power "tamed the perilous skies" over Iraq and Kuwait. Then, in retrospect, this work is dedicated not only to the exceptional men and women of the Tactical Air Command, but to the spirit of the modern military aviator, taming the perilous skies that all men might live free of tyranny and oppression.
• THE WAR TRILOGY: 1971, a special edition of the Kent State University contest winner