NOVA MATER

Nova Mater for Concert Band (1994, rev. 2019).

Nova Mater is based on the melody from the 1857 song Annie Lisle by H.S. Thompson. This melody is the basis of hundreds of school songs from universities and high schools across the nation. Nova Mater begins with an introduction that evokes school marching bands making use of a drumline warm-up pattern and a solo trumpet call. Faster music follows in which each phrase of the Annie Lisle theme is developed. The work ends with a grand canon featuring all of the phrases of the theme played at once. The piece was reworked and performed at the inauguration of Southeast Missouri State University President Dale Nietsche. It was further reworked in 2004 and forms the final movement of Anthems: A Sonata for Solo Piano. The final version of the work was completed in 2019 and will be performed by the University of Louisville band at the College Music Society national convention in October 2019.


The score and parts for Nova Mater are available in printed and electronic form from J.W. Pepper.


Nova Mater, Southeast Missouri State University Wind Ensemble, Robert Gifford, conducting (excerpt).