A Hornet’s Nest
For Band
Duration: 8:00 minutes
The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, has a rich and diverse history, which is the subject of this work. This composition considers Charlotte’s past, starting with the Catawba Nation, on whose ancestral lands the present municipality stands, and concludes with the continued “New South” spirit of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the institution that made this composition possible.
Modern-day Charlotte, known as the "Queen City," was first incorporated in 1768. Named after Queen Charlotte (Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz), settlers established the city on Catawba tribal lands. A key event in its history is the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence from 1775, which challenged British authority before the signing of the official U.S. Declaration of Independence the following year. During the American Revolution, Charlotte became a focal point of resistance, with General Cornwallis of Great Britain famously labeling it a “hornet’s nest of rebellion.” In the 19th century, Charlotte grew as a major railroad junction and a center for trade, particularly after the discovery of gold in 1799. The city evolved post-Civil War, shifting from agriculture to manufacturing, especially textiles, aided by the Southern Railway. Culturally, Charlotte became a music hub and home of WBT – the South’s first radio station – which drew gospel and country artists from throughout the country. Today, Charlotte's "Uptown" area reflects its unique geography and has seen rapid population growth and cultural diversity. The city continues to blend its historical roots with modern challenges and opportunities, aiming to be a welcoming community for all.
The opening moments of this work, while not a direct quote of any music reverenced by the Catawba Nation, pay respect and homage to their culture and heritage through flute and drum music. The melody is a variation on a well-known folk and gospel song, I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger. These humble beginnings give way to the eighteenth-century settlement and incorporation of Charlotte and the significance of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (Meck Dec) and Charlotte’s role in the American Revolutionary War (A Hornet's Nest). The following quicker section highlights the region's economic boom brought on by the first significant gold rush in U.S. history and the advent of major railway lines connecting Charlotte to Columbia, SC. The sounds of country music and Piedmont blues color this section, featuring another familiar folk song popularized in North Carolina – Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair. Among the most well-known recordings of this work is one made famous by Nina Simone, who was born in Tryon, NC, and championed the song as a part of her repertoire.
The music calms to a more reverenced space, Gospel (Good News), centered around I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger. This section considers the Old South past, the consequences of the American Civil War, and the industrialization that gave way to the “New South.” The returning fast music brings the listener back to “Uptown” Charlotte and the cultural boom of the twentieth century before giving way to a more modern “New South” and the imprint of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (and the music of its alma mater) on the greater Queen City community.
A Hornet’s Nest was commissioned by UNC Charlotte for the UNC Charlotte Wind Ensemble
Dr. Hunter Kopczynski - Director