Program Note

High Noon! is an evocatic and dramatic musical journey that captures the energy of a classic Western showdown. Intensive in its imagery, this piece for beginning band teleports young musicians into a dusty town from the Old West, where two rival gunslingers face off at high noon under the blazing sun.

The piece begins by a bold and intriguing statement of danger from the band, setting the stage for the impending duel to come. As the music unfolds, it builds in tension with dynamic melodies and catchy rhythms that simulate the anticipation and excitement of the townspeople gathered around, hiding and waiting. This mysterious conversing between brass and woodwinds paint a staredown between both gunslingers, as the use of percussion forshadows the eventual arrival of high noon.

Capturing the thrill of storytelling through music, this piece concludes with a victorious yet disturbed return of the opening statement, while the winner of the duel rides off into the sunset through clouds of smoke and powder, unclear to the surrounding townspeople. High Noon! is a fun, energetic piece that lets young musicians shine while immersing listeners into the thrilling world of the Wild West.