"Uphill" [Jill Friedersdorf and Melissa Keylock]

"Uphill" [Jill Friedersdorf and Melissa Keylock]

First line of lyrics: Does the road wind up-hill all the way?

Friedersdorf, Jill; music (American, born 1952)

Keylock, Melissa; music (American, born 1974)

Rossetti, Christina Georgina; text (English, 1830-1894)

2016 [composition]; 2017 [copyright]

New York: Galaxy Music Corporation

genre: choral music|song

chorus: SATB chorus

instrumentation: piano

initial sharps/flats: four flats

initial time signature: 12/8

other version 1 - chorus: SA chorus

other version 1 - instrumentation: piano

other version 1 - initial sharps/flats: four flats

origin: United States

female composer

English

Rossetti poem(s): "Up-Hill"

Notes about the text: The song is a setting of stanzas 1-2 and 4, with the some changes. The phrase "day's" in line 3 of the poem, is removed in the song. The changes to stanza 2 (ll. 5-8) include the removal of "But" at the beginning of the first line (l. 5), which is followed by line 7 of the poem, beginning with "Will" instead of "May not," then line 6, which is modified as follows, "There is a roof for when the night begins" instead of "A roof for when the slow dark hours begin." Changes to stanza 4 (ll. 13-16) include replacing the phrase "travel-sore and" with "when I'm" in the first line, "Of labour you'll find the sum. You shall find the sum" with "Of labour you shall find the sum" in the second line, removing the "me and" in the third line, and replacing "Yes" instead of "Yea" at the beginning of the fourth and last line.

Composition history: "Commissioned by and dedicated to | the 2017 Wisconsin State Middle Level Honors Choir | Mark A. Boyle, Conductor." In the description section, ECS Publishing Group, cites the composer, Melissa Keylock: "The lyrics to Uphill signify our lives as a journey, with the final resting place as the “inn” which awaits us at the end of our paths. Darkness will not prevent us from finding the “inn” if we follow the path, despite the weariness of travel. Life is therefore an uphill journey, as well as a safe shelter to rest from life’s hardships is prepared and ready at the end of the road" ("Uphill." ECS Publishing Group)

Tempo markings: dotted quarter note = 54

Performance history: World Premiere on 27 October 2017 at the Performing Arts Center, Waunakee Community High School, 301 Community Drive, Waunakee, WI., performed by the Wisconsin State Middle Level Honors Choir, Mark A. Boyle, conductor (Wisconsin Music Educators Association)

Recordings: "Uphill." Performance by The Jacksonville Children's Chorus, Darren Dailey, conductor. ECS Publishing Group, https://www.ecspublishing.com/composers/k/melissa-keylock/uphill.html. Accessed 6 Apr. 2021.

Dedication: "Commissioned by and dedicated to | the 2017 Wisconsin State Middle Level Honors Choir | Mark A. Boyle, Conductor"

Format 1: musical score

11 pages; performance time 3 minutes and 20 seconds

Other data reference(s): "Uphill". ECS Publishing Group, https://www.ecspublishing.com/composers/k/melissa-keylock/uphill.html. Accessed 6 Apr. 2022.
"Uphill." J. W. Pepper, https://www.jwpepper.com/Uphill/10805536.item#/submit. Accessed 6 Apr. 2021.
Wisconsin Music Educators Association. Well-Rounded with Music, Wisconsin State Music Conference, October 25-28, 2017. Program. https://wmeamusic.org/files/2016/03/ConfProgram17.pdf. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.

Cataloguer: Krystal Cote and Roxanne Lafleur, University of Ottawa

This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Uphill". ECS Publishing Group, https://www.ecspublishing.com/composers/k/melissa-keylock/uphill.html. Accessed 6 Apr. 2021.

Record: CRM-uphill-friedersdorf-keylock

"© Copyright 2017 by Galaxy Music Corporation, Inc., | a division of ECS Publishing. www.ecspublishing.com | All Rights Reserved."

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