Transcribed for symphonic band in the fall of 2003,
“The Signal Tree” and “The Crooked River” form the
last two movements of a three movement Sonata for
French Horn and Piano which were composed in the
fall of 2002 for William Hoyt who is on the faculty
at the University of Akron School of Music.
The first mvt. "The Tow Path" was transcribed in the
spring of 2004 and completes the set.
The titles for the three movements of the sonata
take their inspiration from the scenic Cuyahoga
River valley which extends north and south between
Akron and Cleveland, Ohio. The first movement
is titled “The Towpath” and is a reference to the
Towpath trail which runs the length of the Ohio-Erie
canal upon which horses were harnessed to pull the
canal boats during the 19th century. The
northern portion of the canal runs parallel with the
Cuyahoga river. The second movement takes it
title from the famous and majestic Signal Tree - a
three hundred year old massive oak tree which sits
near the Cuyahoga river before it plunges over the
Cuyahoga Falls. It is suggested that the tree
may have been a landmark for Indian tribes who,
travelling by canoe would portage between the
Cuyahoga and the Tuscarawas rivers. The last
movement takes its title from the Cuyahoga river
itself which translated means “crooked river” -
which is how the Indians referred to the river that
winds and snakes a path along the scenic valley
north of Akron, through the industrial flats of
Cleveland and on into Lake Erie.
"The Signal Tree" and "The Crooked River" were
premiered by the University of Akron Symphonic Band
(Robert Jorgensen, Dir) at the University of Akron
School of Music on Sunday, February 15, 2004 and
were subsequently performed by the Symphonic Band at
the CBDNA (College Band Directors National
Association) conference at the University of
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music on Thursday,
February 19, 2004. "The Tow Path" will be
premiered during the 2008/9 season by the University
of Akron Symphonic Band.