Fantasy on Kingsfold
"O Sing a Song of Bethlehem," "To Mock Your Reign, O Dearest Lord" and "Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine" are three hymn texts set to this lovely English tune which is in the minor mode. Arranger Dean Wagner precedes the entrance of the melody with 17 measures of progressive "noodling" using open spacing. In a later section, handchimes play the melody in the bass clef with an obligato of 4th intervals above. After a full section the arrangement ends softly, mysteriously with mallets on suspended bells. While optional, the orchestration creates a musically satisfying addition to the arrangement. Although the parts are designed to work together, any individual instrument or combination of instruments will work well alone. The instruments included are flute, oboe, horn in F, Bb trumpet, various percussion, harp, and strings.