Land Given to God (Tuku Fonua ki Langi) (Brass Band) Andrew Wainwright

Land given to God (Tuku Fonua ki Langi) is a landmark major test-piece for brass band celebrating Tongan faith, history, and cultural identity. Commissioned by Sione Malekamu Manu Jr for the Tonga Secondary School Music Festival, Land given to God marks a monumental achievement in Pacific music literature as the first major brass band test-piece written specifically for the Kingdom of Tonga. Commemorating two centuries of Christianity, this compelling four-movement work traces Tonga's journey from ancient traditions to its historic 1839 dedication to divine protection. The piece draws its principal thematic material from the beloved Tongan hymn Oku 'iai ha ki'i fonua 'oku tu'u 'i 'oseni. The work is divided into four through-composed movements: I. Koe Lotu Mu'a (The Old Religion): Grounded and ritualistic, this movement paints the ancient spiritual order of pre-Christian Tonga - a nation anchored in sacred ancestral tradition on the threshold of change. II. Koe Lotu Fo'ou (The New Religion): Captures a nation in transition, depicting the arrival of Wesleyan missionaries, the conversion of Taufa'ahau (King Siaosi Tupou I), and the powerful 1834 spiritual revival (To 'a e 'Ofa). III. Koe Sivi Fakaosi (The Final Test): A dramatic musical confrontation between doubt and conviction. It recounts the story of Christian teacher Pita Vi being cast into shark-infested waters as a test of faith, surviving unharmed to seal the King's devotion. IV. Koe Tuku Fonua ki Langi (Land Given to God): A solemn, declarative finale recounting the historic 1839 act at Pouono, where King Siaosi Tupou I offered the land and people of Tonga to the divine protection of Heaven. Duration: approx. 8.45 minutes Difficulty Level: 4th Section + This PDF download includes the full score and parts. Sheet music available at www.brassband.co.uk (UK) or https://satradecentral.org (USA) Instrumentation: Soprano Cornet Eb Solo Cornet Bb Repiano Cornet Bb 2nd Cornet Bb 3rd Cornet Bb Flugel Horn Bb Solo Horn Eb 1st Horn Eb 2nd Horn Eb 1st Baritone Bb 2nd Baritone Bb 1st Trombone Bb 2nd Trombone Bb Bass Trombone Euphonium Bb Bass Eb Bass Bb Percussion 1-3