Ruth and Boaz: for wind band

Grade 3.5

Instrumentation

Flute (Piccolo) Oboe 1st Clarinet in Bb 2nd Clarinet in Bb 3rd Clarinet in Bb Bb Bass Clarinet Bassoon

1st Eb Alto Saxophone 2nd Eb Alto Saxophone Bb Tenor Saxophone Eb Baritone Saxophone

1stTrumpets in Bb 2nd Trumpets in Bb 3rd Trumpets in Bb

1 & 3 Horn in F 2 & 4 Horn in F

1st Trombone 2nd Trombone 3rd Trombone

Grade 3.5

Instrumentation

Flute (Piccolo) Oboe 1st Clarinet in Bb 2nd Clarinet in Bb 3rd Clarinet in Bb Bb Bass Clarinet Bassoon

1st Eb Alto Saxophone 2nd Eb Alto Saxophone Bb Tenor Saxophone Eb Baritone Saxophone

1stTrumpets in Bb 2nd Trumpets in Bb 3rd Trumpets in Bb

1 & 3 Horn in F 2 & 4 Horn in F

1st Trombone 2nd Trombone 3rd Trombone Euphonium Tuba Doublebass

Timpani

Percussion 1 Snare & Xylophone

Percussion 2 Cymbals (suspended and crash) & Triangle

Percussion 3 Bass Drum & Marimba

Percussion 4 Temple blocks, Triangle, & Wind Chimes

This piece is based upon the writings of the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. This story of love starts off with Naomi saddened by the death of her husband, and then the sudden death of her sons. The lady Ruth stays by her mother-in-law‘s side as she goes to work. She then meets the handsome Boaz (measure 59) and they immediately fall in love. However, they cannot be wed because according to tradition, she must be married to the kinsman-redeemer (this is the next of kin.)
Boaz makes an announcement (measure 97) in front of the council that the kinsman-redeemer shall receive the property of Emiloech (Ruth’s late husband.) He quickly accepts until he realizes that he must marry Ruth and hastily rejects. The estate of Emilech is then transferred to Boaz (measure 131) who in return claims Ruth as his wife (measure 157.) Why write about the Book of Ruth? This very small book in length seems unimportant; however, these two people are the ancestors of the great King David!

Click to Listen: Ruth and Boaz