Priory Belle: A Musical Narrative Inspired By Short Story

Abstract

Priory Belle is a concert work inspired by an original story that I wrote. The music is written for flute, oboe (doubling English horn), clarinet in Bb, bass clarinet in Bb, bassoon, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, horn, strings, harp, piano, percussion, two mezzo-sopranos, tenor, and three baritones. The work is approximately eighteen minutes in length. Compositional choices throughout Priory Belle arise from two driving factors: the original story and an English change ringing method that is adapted for the ensemble.