
SARAHTIM Music Publishing
Stephen Hill - Composer, Teacher, Fly Fisherman
"Before the mountains were born..."
Wind Ensemble • Grade 4 • Chorale q=56, Toccata q=146 • ca.7:20
Stephen Hill
"Before the mountains were born..."
Wind Ensemble (Grade 4)

SARAHTIM Music Publishing
Full Score Video
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Program Notes
“Before the mountains were born…” is a two-movement work reflecting on two Old Testament passages.
1. Chorale - Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were born…”
Lyrical and Polytonal. The Chorale begins the work with gentleness and returns after the Toccata to conclude in triumph.
2. Toccata - Psalm 98:8 “Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains shout together for joy.”
The Toccata begins with a rhythmic timpani solo that remains upbeat and joyful as each section enters, culminating in a jubilant and rapturous tutti. The timpani solo returns and sets up the closing section. The brass section enters, joined with accompanying woodwind flourishes that build to a triumphant restatement of the Chorale.
Composed - 2020
Publisher - SARAHTIM Music Publishing (Stephen Hill) ASCAP
Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1-2
Oboe
Bb Clarinet 1-3
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Eb Alto Saxophone 1-2
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 1-3
Horn in F 1-4
Trombone 1-3
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion - Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Toms, Hi-Hat, Cymbals, Triangle, Tambourine, Shaker, Wind Chimes, Gong, Rain Stick, Chimes, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Marimba, Piano
Available for Purchase after the
Premiere in the Fall of 2022 by
Cerritos College, Dr. David Betancourt