John O'Reilly

In Memoriam

In Memoriam was commissioned by the Parkway East Middle School in St. Louis, Missouri to honor the memory of beloved teacher L.Dwayne Cease. A two-measure percussion pattern opens this work and continues as an ostinato throughout the opening Largo. The main theme is paraphrased from Mendelssohn's oratoria Elijah and is presented first as a delicate woodwind choir, followed by a brass statement and finally by the full band. The exciting Allegro section begins with a percussion introduction leading into a rollicking theme in lydian mode. The opening Largo theme makes a brief return before it segues into a reflective chorale concluding this dramatic composition.