Canto
by Francis McBeth
--
Grade 3

From 1957 to 1996 Dr. Francis McBeth (born 1933) was Professor of Music, Resident Composer and Chairman of the Theory-Composition Department at Ouachita University (pronounced wash-i-taw) in Arkadelphia, Arkansas (US). He was also conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in Little Rock for many years until his retirement in 1973, after which he was elected Conductor Emeritus. One of the most prolific composers of wind band music in the 20th Century, McBeth’s formal training was received at Hardin-Simmons University, University of Texas and the Eastman School of Music. He has consistently been in the top group of the most performed American symphonic wind composers the past 30 years, and his style is reflected in much of the music being written today by much younger composers. He also plays the trumpet and bass violin.

Year of publication: 1977

Publisher: Southern Music

Grade: 3

Type of composition: Program music

Style: fast

Programming suggestions: Introduces students to the style of a famous composer in a very easy piece. Commissioned by the All-Japan Band Association on their 40th anniversary.

Solo instruments: none

Anecdotal notes: hand clapping. Use of accents and slurs. Dynamics: ff, sffz, p, crescendo, decrescendo, f p, mf

Discography: McBeth Conducts McBeth, Volume 3