Laboring Songs

Welcher has become fascinated with spiritual practices outside of the mainstream. His best-selling Zion for concert band, for instance, came about from his study of the music and worship of the Mormon pioneers of Utah. Laboring Songs and the companion Circular Marches were born from his immersion in the history of the famed Shakers. Their most widely known hymn, Simple Gifts, may have led Welcher to research other, more obscure, Shaker hymns, and several of these are quoted in the new Symphony No. 3, Shaker Life. Presser is pleased to publish full scores of these two movements for large wind ensemble, library and study purposes. (Performance materials are available onrental from Presser.)