by Patrick J. Burns (Grade 3+, 4:30)
 
Diamond Variations was commissioned by the Mt. Tabor Summer Band Program (Parsippany, New Jersey; Michael Iapicca, Director), in celebration of the organization’s 60th anniversary year. The entire work is based on a five-note motive first heard in the trumpet section at the beginning of the piece. This motive undergoes various transformations in key, character, and orchestration throughout the work. The musical concept of change over time while remaining the same at its core is meant to reflect the success and longevity of the Mt. Tabor Summer Band program, as it has adapted and grown to serve generations of music students, beginning in 1953 and continuing through the present day.