b'Program Notescontinued Calm and flowing. Scenes of daily activity for the Bride and her Farmer husband. There are five variations on a Shaker theme. The theme, sung by a solo clarinet, was taken from a collection of Shaker melodies compiled by author Edward D. Andrews, and published under the title The Gift to Be Simple. The melody most borrowed and used almost literally is called Simple Gifts. Moderate. Coda. The Bride takes her place among her neighbors. At the end the couple are left quiet and strong in their new house. Muted strings intone a hushed prayer-like chorale passage. The close is reminiscent of the opening music.This piece has become a staple in the study of all young conductors. This was the first piece for which I assembled an ensemble, rehearsed, prepared, and performed as a college student at the Oberlin Conservatory. Studying this work back then was thrilling and a real learning experience, both on and off the podium. Revisiting it now is equally as exciting and rewarding.Instrumentationtwo flutes and piccolo, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, two trombones, timpani, percussion, harp, piano, and strings Duration25 minutesSamuel Barber (1910-1981) Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24Composed 1947Commissioned by American soprano Eleanor Steber, Knoxville: Summer of 1915 would be the first commission ever by an American singer for solo voice and orchestra. Barber was able to quickly finish the work as he had recently encountered a short essay by American author James Agee, Knoxville: Summer of 1915, which would later become the preamble to the novel A'