Published: 2009
Publisher: Lecta Music Publications
Duration: 11:31
Grade: 5
Difficulty: Difficult
Brilliant Legacy was composed in the fall of 2008. The piece was commissioned by Harding University alumni and friends in honor of the 80th birthday of Dr. G .E. Baggett, Professor of Music and first Director of Bands at Harding University. The piece premiered April 23, 2009 by the Harding University Wind Ensemble, Dr. Michael Chance, director. The piece is a suite for band in three movements. The first movement is subtitled “Brother”. After receiving his doctorate, Dr. Baggett insisted that his students continue to call him “brother”, an indication of his piety and deep faith as a brother in Christ. The letters to Dr. Baggett’s name and the use of Dr. Baggett’s favorite theme (that he whistled continuously) are the primary material developed by the composer to create a happy and lively character. The second movement is a setting of the school’s alma mater, subtitled “Home”. Harding University’s tradition of placing “swings” around the campus was an inspiration for the third movement, subtitled “The Swing”. The composer’s own experiences as a child “swinging” high as one can go, twisting and turning, are captured in the exciting final sections of the last movement.