Compositions by Will Sherwood, ChM, AAGO

Difficulty: Almost sight-readable; well within reach for advanced youth/college/community orchestras

Winter Festival for Orchestra (REVISED 2025) - 4 mins -

A dazzling Respighi-like fanfare heralds the main O Tannenbaum theme, making a compelling December concert opener or joyous encore.
A tender center section featuring solos for oboe, clarinet, bassoon, & flute leads to a bravura climactic ending. 
Flexible instrumentation.

Program Notes

Winter Festival is an evocative orchestral work that captures the essence of the winter season through vibrant, dynamic orchestration. The piece opens with a spirited, celebratory theme, drawing listeners into a festive atmosphere, filled with the energy and excitement of a community's winter festivities. Sherwood employs a rich palette of orchestral colors, contrasting bright brass fanfares contrasted with the warmth of strings and woodwinds, creating a vivid soundscape that mirrors the beauty and starkness of winter.
As the composition progresses, the music shifts between moments of serene calm that crescendo to lively exuberance, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the season. Throughout Winter Festival, Sherwood masterfully explores both grandiose moments and delicate, introspective passages, making it a compelling celebration to usher in holiday cheer. The work invites audiences to experience the joy, contemplation, and wonder that winter often brings, all through the power of orchestral music.

Expanded program notes and bio on request.

ORCHESTRATION (flexible)

2 Flutes (w/ solo)
2 Oboes (w/ solo) (or substitute English Horn solo, part on request)
2 Clarinets in Bb
2 Bassoons (w/ solo)
2 Horns in F
2 Trumpets in C
2 Trombones
Tuba (optional)
Timpani (4)
Percussion:  Mark Tree, Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Piatti, Chimes -- All flexible/optional
   Harp or synthesizer (or optional)
   Piano or keyboard (or optional)
   Organ (or synthesizer: flute stops preferred, not “church organ” patch)
                 - or optional: cue notes in strings and brass to substitute for organ fugue
Violins I & II divisi
Viola divisi
Violoncellos divisi
Double Bass (extension optional)

 

Errata posted here and on IMSLP (none yet - March 2025)

Pastorale on Greensleeves/What Child Is This (2024-2025) - 4 mins - A heartwarming setting of the beloved old English carol that features soaring countermelodies with rich harmonizations.
Flexible instrumentation & performance interpretations

ORCHESTRATION (flexible)

2 Flutes
2 Oboes (w/ solo)
(English Horn - optional substitute for several clarinet phrases)
2 Clarinets in Bb (w/ solo) (parts in A available)
2 Bassoons (w/ solo)
2 Horns in F (w/ solo) (Horns could be omitted if really needed, but beautiful countermelody)
Harp or synthesizer (or optional)
Organ (optional - score on request)
Violins I & II divisi
Viola divisi
Violoncellos divisi
Double Bass (extension optional)

MORE COMPOSITIONS BY SHERWOOD

Career Highlights – Will Sherwood, ChM, AAGO

A native of Tennessee, Mr. Sherwood received his BSEE and MSEE degrees from CMU in 1975, and had a successful 30-year engineering career at Digital Equipment Corp (DEC; later bought by Intel) as a Sr. Engineering Manager in VLSI microprocessor design. 

Equally important in his life was music: organist for his first church service at age 8, he continued as organist and director, culminating with his 37-year tenure at First Unitarian, Worcester.

In retirement, he continues his musical endeavors in the area of composition and arranging.