For the Beauty of the Earth (Brass Quintet) by Conrad Kocher Brass Quintet - Digital Sheet Music

The tune that is often used for the lyrics started with a hymn written by the German composer, Conrad Kocher, in 1836. The melody was modified by William Chatterton Dix in 1859, for a hymn titled “As With Gladness Men Of Old”, hence the tune is often identified in hymnals as “DIX”. The melody by Dix was abridged by an English organist, William H. Monk in 1861. Folliott S. Pierpoint, an English teacher and poet, wrote the words, which are commonly used in the U.S., to “For the Beauty of the Earth” in 1864.The second verse of the melody uses augmentation of metric values and extended harmonies. This arrangement also uses a modern setting by Donnalynn Grunewald (2013) in triple meter.The popularity of the hymn is due partly to the aptness of the text to Thanksgiving celebrations, thus assuring in annual performance. Not only do the words express thanks for the world in which we live, but it also includes thanks for family and friends, “brother, sister, parent, child. Friends on earth and friends above”. Also worthy of note is the universality of the sentiment, expressed in a way that can be embraced by people of any religion. Though not often sung, I particularly like the reference in verse 5 to the gift of music.For the joy of ear and eye, For the heart and mind's delight, For the mystic harmony, Linking sense to sound and sight.This arrangement is available for trombone quintet and brass quintet.For a complete list of Polished Brass arrangements on Sheet Music Press, visit Polished Brass Publications or search Sheet Music Plus for “ROBERT COIL POLISHED BRASS”.The arranger, Bob Coil, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music, where he studied bass trombone with Betty Glover. Dr. Coil is the leader of the Bones of Cincinnatus trombone ensemble and the Polished Brass quintet in Cincinnati, OH.