Works

Chalumeau is a “dirge” (a slow, mournful song performed in commemoration of the dead) for wind ensemble. It is a relatively short work (about five minutes) which makes use of one primary melody first heard in the “chalumeau” (low) register of the clarinets. The work avoids any clear tonal center and is rather quiet throughout.

Chalumeau was premiered by Frank Wickes and the Louisiana State University Wind Ensemble. It was written in memory of two of my brothers, David Edward Hayden and Vernon Cecil (“Pat”) Hayden.