Fountain City Celebration - Concert Band Grade 3.5

In 1859, The St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad built a train depot in DeSoto, Missouri. Later, renamed the Missouri Pacific Railroad, the company established a major rail car repair facility in the town. Nicknamed 'Fountain City,' DeSoto is also home to numerous artesian wells. History converges, when in 1904, water from these springs and wells are collected and bottled. The bottled water was then shipped by tank car to the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.

"Fountain City Celebration" is composed in overture form. After a majestic introduction, the winds create sounds reminiscent of a train whistle, while the driving percussion set up the "A" section depicting the energy and excitement of this historical railroad town. The "B" section, in 3/4 time, is symbolic of the flowing artesian springs. The "A" section returns and escalates with an exciting finish.

This piece was commissioned to commemorate the 2017 opening of the Performing Arts Center in the DeSoto #73 School District in DeSoto, Missouri.