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PROGRAM NOTES
SabAdzida! is an energetic, exciting work that draws on two African folk dances - the Adzida, indigenous to the Ewe tribe of Ghana, and the Saba-saba, a popular social dance of the Bemba tribe in Northern Rhodesia. The work relies on continual layering of two principal rhythmic ostinatos and their variations with the primary melody - a process similar to the creation of African folk music. SabAdzida! is scored for symphonic band but is also suitable for wind ensemble. SabAdzida! is a grade 5 composition that is rated as very challenging for most high school symphonic bands and as challenging and suitable for advanced high school symphonic bands/wind ensembles and college-level symphonic bands/wind ensembles.

HISTORY
Fittingly programmed as an opener or a closer, the 6-minute SabAdzida! was originally commissioned and premiered by the Oregon Symphony. The orchestral edition was composed for orchestra, 8-piece marimba ensemble, and audience participation. Upon the request of two successful high school wind ensemble conductors, SabAdzida! has been carefully reconstructed by the composer for the symphonic band genre. Also suitable for wind ensemble, this version of the work was premiered at the 2007 Bands Of America Festival (Indianapolis) by the West Salem High School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Ike Nail.