Music by Robert J. Bradshaw
Katy and the Big Snow
Inspired by Virginia Lee Burton's Katy and the Big Snow
KATY'S THEMES
“Katy liked to work.” VLB
KATY ENJOYED WORKING THEME
In this theme, we meet a happy Katy. The music is light and rhythmic - like humming a tune when you are enjoying yourself.
Theme:
Orchestra:
“But Katy was so big and strong, she had to stay at home...” VLB
KATY’S THOUGHTFUL THEME
Although the words do not say that Katy is sad when she has to stay at home, Burton’s illustration certainly makes it look that way! Look on page 11 of the book. This is Katy’s Thoughtful Theme. It is a little bit sad, a little bit thoughtful, and a little bit longing - just like Katy!
Theme:
Orchestra:
“Katy was a beautiful red crawler tractor. She was very big and strong...” VLB
KATY WAS STRONG THEME
Here, we have a simple and powerful theme that grows in intensity. It starts with a single repeated note and expands both up and down.
Theme:
Orchestra:
“Slowly and steadily Katy started to plow...” VLB
KATY’S PLOWING THEME
This theme is fun. Instead of describing an emotion with a melody, the idea is expressed as a sound effect. Ever heard of an onomatopoeia? That is when something is named by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it. Like CRASH! This is exactly the same thing, only with music.
Can you hear Katy starting up? Chugging along? Can you imagine the sinuous lines cut in the deep white snow? This time, only the orchestral version is presented. Why? Because you need the entire orchestra to successfully represent the effect.
Orchestra:
