When I played in the high school band in the late 1960’s and early ‘70’s, one of our favorite composers was W. Francis McBeth. He was especially a hit in Arkansas, since he taught at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and so was somewhat of a “local hero.” His music was fun to play and challenging, but within reach of young musicians. I particularly remember Chant and Jubilo, Masque, and Mosaic. There are a lot of very pleasant musical memories of mine connected to his compositions. It was my privilege to get to watch him conduct on at least a couple of occasions and to meet him personally once, and he was very congenial and entertaining in his manner, and very approachable.
One particularly enjoyable session involving McBeth was when he rehearsed the Arkansas Tech Symphonic Band on his new composition, To Be Fed By Ravens. He explained that his father had been a Baptist minister and the composition reflected that strong religious influence on his life.
In 1975, McBeth was appointed the first Composer Laureate of the State of Arkansas. Although he wrote extensively for bands, he also had a number of orchestral works, including four symphonies. His Third Symphony won the Howard Hanson Prize at the Eastman School of Music in 1963.
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