Virginia is a staple of the modern concert band repertoire, particularly popular among high school and community ensembles. Written in a cinematic, neo-romantic style, the piece serves as a musical portrait of the American state of Virginia.
Part of De Haan’s series of musical montages of American states—alongside Dakota , Oregon , and Arkansas —"Virginia" uses a variety of thematic and rhythmic tools to tell its story.
The piece begins with a slow, solemn introduction. A solo cornet (or trumpet) introduces the primary melodic motif—a melancholic, descending line that sets a contemplative mood. This opening feels like a sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains, quiet and dignified. The low woodwinds provide a warm, rolling carpet of sound underneath.
The full score and parts, spanning approximately 49 pages, are designed for a standard symphonic band instrumentation. It is widely used in concert band settings for its descriptive nature and accessible yet emotive writing style, typical of de Haan’s blend of classical and modern film-score-like influences.
Jacob de Haan’s "Virginia" is a Grade 3 programmatic work for concert band that musically illustrates the history of the American state through themes of colonization, slavery, and the Civil War. Spanning approximately 9 minutes, the piece features an adventurous opening, a melancholic blues-influenced middle section, and a climactic finale. For more details, visit Sheet Music Plus . Virginia - Jacob de Haan
"Virginia" is one of Jacob de Haan's notable compositions. While I don't have the specific details of the piece you're referring to, such as the arrangement for concert band (score and parts.pdf), it's clear that de Haan's works are characterized by their evocative and often geographical titles, reflecting his inspiration from places, events, and stories.
The piece opens with a brief, expressive slow introduction that transitions into a lively section representing the arrival of the first European colonists. Through rhythmic energy and "American-sounding" themes, de Haan captures the hardships and eventual triumphs of the pioneers who founded Jamestown. The music here is characterized by a sense of movement and optimism, utilizing the full breadth of the wind ensemble to evoke the vast, uncharted landscapes of the New World. II. Slavery: Melancholy and Oppression