Tell Me A Bedtime Story Live

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This piece, which was premiered by the Spaulding High School (Rochester, NH) Concert Band on May 28, 2019, is my first attempt at writing a work for wind band. While this is not the premiere recording, this is the computer rendition as it exists in Sibelius.

Plotline:

1375 AD
British Isles

It is heavily raining.

The trumpet calls alert the Princess that our Knight has received her letter and has arrived at the castle, sword and shield in hand.

The Princess pleads with him,
“Please help me…”

She explains to him the quest that he must undertake to defeat the Evil that lies halfway across the country, in a cave deep within the Scottish Highlands.

The Knight accepts her request, and she says to him,
“Oh, thank you, and God bless you!”

He steps outside to find that the rain has cleared and been replaced with a brilliant sunshine.

It is as if God Himself is watching over the brave Knight as he embarks on his quest.

He begins to travel north, with the Kingdom of the Scots his destination.

With the thunder of drums in his soul, the Knight reaches Scotland.

However, he is weak, tired, and hungry; this leads him to small village, where he is able to secure a comfortable bed, a hearty meal, and a decent night’s sleep.

Early in the morning, the Knight awakes and continues his trek northward.

During this final day of travel, he finds himself thinking about his comfort in the village, and wonders if he should have stayed. After all, he is not in the Princess’s domain any more.

Just when he begins to seriously contemplate turning back, he sees it.

The cave of which the Princess spoke.

He steels himself, gathers his belongings, and walks in.

Upon entering the cave, the Knight finds himself lost in a sea of darkness that even his torch cannot penetrate.

He calls out into the darkness,
“Where are you? Where am I?”

As he ventures further, he wills himself to think of the Princess; her voice, her eyes, and the way that she put her trust in him above all others.

Finally, the Knight finds the chamber in which the Evil lays, its absurdly large, hulking form almost waiting for him.

The Knight unsheathes his sword, and, channelling every ounce of courage within him, makes the first strike.

He finds himself locked in a ferocious battle with the Evil, but it appears as if he has the initial upper hand in the fight.

The Knight’s sword consistently hits its target, eliciting screams of agony from the Evil.

However, this allows the Knight to become arrogant.

The Evil begins to circle the Knight, and the Knight begins to think to himself that, even if he is victorious in vanquishing the Evil, he may die as well.

With one final push, the Knight mounts his ultimate assault upon the Evil, killing the foul being once and for all.

But it is for naught, as he looks around, and realizes that the world is going black around him.

Having completed his quest, he collapses on the floor of the chamber, and allows God to take him.

God, however, was watching over the Knight on his entire quest, and, as a gift for the Knight’s bravery and victory, grants him life.

Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom Come
Thy will be done
On Earth as it is done in Heaven
As it is done on Earth

Upon the reception of this gift, the Knight kneels in prayer, and exclaims, “Thank you, O God.”

The Knight finds himself travelling back to England, recounting every event that happened to him on his quest, from the trumpets at his first arrival at the castle, to the chorale that just saved his life.

He reaches the throne room, kneels before the Princess, and, as the sun shines through the stained glass surrounding him, the doors to the throne room close, and the story comes to an end.



Picture credit to Omercan Cirit

Thy Kingdom Come (an "epic tale" for symphonic band) (2019)

Spencer Wiles

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