Gospels for Vlade (Complete World Premiere) by Tyler Harrison

From the world premiere performance on September 17, 2014 by the University of Colorado Symphonic Band conducted by Matthew Roeder in Macky Auditorium in Boulder, Colorado
Program Notes
Vlade William Joyner, my brother, a son, an uncle, and adventurer, died on October 20th, 2013 at the age of 21. As his brother, I am inspired in his absence to carry on the bright light of Vlade's spirit. When Vlade was young, my parents went to a concert of the vocal quartet, The Fairfield Four. Vlade had a special affinity for the CD, Standing in the Safety Zone, my parents brought back from the concert, and we always listened to it in the car and at home. In his memory, I decided do something special to carry on Vlade's bright light. I arranged three of the tracks from Standing in the Safety Zone for concert band.
The first arrangement, Roll Jordan, was the last song to be played at Vlade’s funeral, and both Roll Jordan and When Was Jesus Born? were two of Vlade’s favorites from the CD. The central movement, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, is taken from the Fairfield Four version of the famous tune and the opening slow section from the version with Etta James. Vlade played alto saxophone in middle school and high school. The prominence of the saxophone in my arrangement of Swing Low is significant. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a song about death and the afterlife. Vlade was a devout Christian, and I almost imagine him singing the words when I hear the arrangement in my mind:
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
A band of angels coming after me,
Sometimes I'm up, and sometimes I'm down,
But still my soul feels heavenly bound.
The brightest day that I can say,
When Jesus washed my sins away.
If I get there before you do,
I'll cut a hole and pull you through.
If you get there before I do,
Tell all my friends I'm coming too.

[@anielama]

Wonderful! Congrats on a great premiere!