Search

New Music Friday: Pinyon Mountain Trail

Pinyon Mountain Trail references the Pinyon Pine tree which is indigenous to the southwestern parts of America. This piece was written in the summer of 2020, when many families were unable to travel and explore the great outdoors. It takes the performer and listener on a trip up a pine lined trail to enjoy the fresh air, pine scent, and scenery. All sections of the orchestra join in the brief adventure and arrive safely home in the end. The Lake Highlands Combined Orchestras premiered this work on their winter concert. 

About Pinyon Mountain Trail

00:00
00:00
  • No title 00:00

For the developing string orchestra, Pinyon Mountain Trail allows the orchestra to enjoy thematic material in both the upper and lower string sections. A solid allegro tempo is recommended for performance, and the double up bows in the cello and bass parts effectively place the weight of the beat on one and three. The moving eighth notes should be brought out in measure 6 in the violas and measure 15 in the violins. Violas should bring out the half note line starting in measures 20 and 24. The fourth finger forward extension is recurring on the cello C string and helps reinforce this technique. Careful observance of the dynamic contrasts is integral to the performance.

About Daniel Lonie

Daniel Lonie is an orchestra specialist, violist, composer, and conductor. He served as a high school orchestra director for thirty years at North Garland High School in Garland, Texas, and has been involved with the development and support of school orchestras for over forty years. He has been a clinician and adjudicator for several public school programs. A graduate of The University of North Texas, he is a proud member of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Conductor’s Guild. Mr. Lonie has several pieces included in the Tempo Press catalog. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he currently resides in University Park, Texas.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join our mailing list

Be the first to know about new music, exciting news, deals and more!