Sacramental Melody, Op. 24 (2024)
A Tribute to Michael Steimel, 1987 Graduate of Don Bosco
for flute ensemble
Commissioned by Don Bosco High School Instrumental Music Department
ca. 9:00
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Program Notes
A showcase for ensembles looking to display an expansive emotional range, this work follows songlike melodies as they develop and evolve through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The unpredictability of life is depicted through frequent fluctuations between major and minor keys, for example:
[Measures 4-26] The main melody first switches from major to minor in measure 7 (a concert G in measure 4 followed by a Gb in measure 7). It is worth noting that instead of abruptly changing from major to minor tonic chords, the key change is softened by harmonizing the switch to minor with a major chord (Cb major in measure 7, the VI chord in Eb minor). The avoidance of an Eb Minor chord here (favoring an Eb with an open 5th) results in a rather natural sounding return to Eb Major in measure 11. This is in contrast to the key change that happens 3 bars later in measure 14; from Ab major (IV in Eb) to Eb Minor (unconventionally in first inversion with the 3rd doubled on top). This darker sonority foreshadows the next section, as the piece continues in Eb Minor until it changes to Ab in measure 26.
This piece has a very broad emotional landscape; from the heartfelt chorale in 149 to the joyous dance in 213, and from the somber laments in 321 to the triumphant finale in 376, Sacramental Melody is to be played compassionately with a sense of expansiveness and breadth.
Commissioned by Don Bosco High School Instrumental Music Department.
A Tribute to Michael Steimel (April 16th, 1969 - December 21st, 2023)
Michael Steimel was a 1987 graduate of Don Bosco High School. He attended Loras College in Dubuque for his Bachelor of Arts Degree and then his Masters in Pastoral Liturgy and Music from St. Joseph College in Indiana. Michael was employed with numerous Churches, including at The Hill Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato, Minnesota. He was currently employed at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ames. Michael was a self-taught piano player that turned into an excellent performer that assisted him as he was a sought after accompanist for funerals and weddings. Michael was always interested in what was taking place with his high school alma- mater and was always proud with what was taking place in the Don Bosco Music Department.
Instrumentation
Sacramental Melody, Op. 24 has been adapted into a ‘flexible flute ensemble’
A minimum of six performers are needed
There are no divisi; only one person is needed per part
Parts 1, 4, 5, and 6 are ‘flexible’ in that each part is available for multiple flutes
Part 1 - Piccolo; Flute
Part 2 - Flute
Part 3 - Flute
Part 4 - Flute; Alto Flute
Part 5 - Alto Flute; Bass Flute
Part 6 - Bass Flute; Contrabass Flute
Note: there is an optional cut (from m209-335; 4:12 to 6:48 ) which reduces the performance time from about 9:00 to about 6:00.