Come Sunday by Omar Thomas: a conductor's analysis with conducting and performance considerations

Come Sunday by Omar Thomas is a gospel-inspired and jazz-infused composition in the wind band repertoire. Composed as a tribute to the Hammond organ s function in the Black church service, Come Sunday features African American sacred melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. Thomas is an award-winning jazz big band composer who has recorded three albums with the Omar Thomas Large Ensemble. His works have been recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and his classical and jazz compositions have been performed by numerous prestigious ensembles. Come Sunday was awarded the National Band Association s William D. Revelli Award, making Thomas the first African American to ever win the award. Through this achievement, the wind band profession signaled that Thomas be formally recognized and appreciated for his contributions to symphonic art.

Commissioned by a consortium led by Dr. Anthony Marinello, Director of Bands at Illinois State University, Come Sunday has been performed and recorded by some of the most elite professional and collegiate wind bands around the world. In addition to the Hammond organ, its musical style possesses historical ties to J.S. Bach, the blues, jazz, and contemporary rhythm and blues. The piece synthesizes these elements into two contrasting movements entitled Testimony, evoking the conjuring of the Holy Spirit, and Shout!, the pure celebration of the Holy Spirit s arrival. This thesis presents a detailed analysis and guide to performing Come Sunday by providing the composer s intentions and lead commissioner s insights. It advocates an immersive exploration of the Hammond organ s role in the Black church service and a deeper understanding of the composer s various sources of inspiration.