John O'Reilly

Jefferson County Overture

Jefferson County Overture is, without question, the most popular composition John O'Reilly has ever written. Thousands of middle school and junior high bands have performed the original concert band version, which is on numerous state contest lists. This new string orchestra version (with percussion) works well for strings, and can also be effectively performed along with the band arrangement, since they are both in the same key. The interesting natural minor tonality and vibrant syncopated rhythms of the 'Allegro' contrast nicely with the beautifully harmonized melody of the 'Adagio,' and the percussion parts add an exciting dimension whether performing this classic with strings alone or combined with band. Correlated with Strictly Strings, Book 3, page 26.