The Wind

“The Wind” was commissioned by the Organization of American Kodály Educators as a result of Rich Campbell winning the Ruth Boshkoff Composition Prize. The text is from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1885 A Child’s Garden of Verses. The choir begins by emulating the sound of the wind, and then sings directly to the wind, describing the many things the wind does while questioning just who or what the wind is. The piece, inspired by Kodály’s philosophy, develops a folk-like melody in a modern context. The rhythmic piano accompaniment keeps the piece bouncing brightly until its exciting conclusion. The use of the optional wind chimes can luster to performances. Premiered at the 2016 Organization of American Kodály Educators’ Conference.