Goodnight Moon

Over the first six years of his life, I must have read "Goodnight Moon" to my son a thousand times, maybe more. Somewhere around reading number 500 I began hearing little musical fragments as I read, and over time those fragments began to blossom into a simple, sweet lullaby. I knew it was a long shot, but I asked my manager, Claire Long, to contact HarperCollins and see if they would allow the text to be set to music. To my surprise and delight they agreed – the first time they had ever allowed "Goodnight Moon" to be used in such a way. I composed the piece relatively quickly, setting the text for harp, string orchestra, and my son’s mother, soprano Hila Plitmann. I later created a version for soprano and piano and finally, SATB choir and piano. (Eric Whitacre)

This Wind Ensemble arrangement of Goodnight Moon was created by Dr. Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant and premiered with the World Adult Wind Orchestra Project (WAWOP) and the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project (WYWOP). Dr. Mösenbichler-Bryant conducted the premiere in July 2017 with soprano Hila Plitmann and Eric Whitacre in attendance.

Instrumentation:

• Solo Soprano
• Flute 1, 2, 3
• Oboe
• Bassoon 1, 2
• Clarinet 1, 2, 3
• Bass Clarinet
• Alto Saxophone
• Tenor Saxophone
• Baritone Saxophone
• Trumpet in B♭
• Horn 1, 2
• Trombone 1, 2, 3
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Double Bass
• Harp
• Percussion (Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal)

The soprano solo part can also be replaced with one of the following solo parts:

• Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet in B♭
• Soprano Saxophone
• Alto Saxophone
• Trumpet in B♭
• Euophonium
• Violin
• Violincello