Serenity

Ola Gjeilo/arr. J. Eric Wilson & Ola Gjeilo

Originally a choral work, this composition was arranged for band by Ola Gjeilo and Baylor University Director of Bands J. Eric Wilson. It was dedicated to the memories of two Baylor clarinetists.

The composer wrote: "With Serenity , I wanted to write music that has a symphonic, abundant feel ... I love a warm, lush sound that can give a feeling of space and evocativeness, but still be intimate, somehow. But mainly ... I wanted to ... write something that came straight from my heart, without any pretense or filters. The work is set to the ‘O Magnum, Mysterium’ text."

Ola Gjeilo (b.1978) is a Norwegian pianist and composer who currently resides in New York. He began playing and composing when he was five years old. He studied at the Norwegian Academy of Music, Juilliard and the Royal College of Music in London. He writes primarily choral music, but has also written for piano and for wind symphony.

Last updated on March 17, 2015 by Palatine Concert Band