Here on Native Land for Concert Band – Steve Heitzeg

Composer: Steve Heitzeg

Instrumentation: Concert Band

Duration: Approx. 2 minutes

Date Written: 2026

Premiere: Synod Senior Band, Nick VanDuzee, conductor Chaska Community Center Chaska, MN May 28, 2026

Additional Details: 

The original version of HERE ON NATIVE LAND was scored for solo cello and cello ensemble. It was premiered by Anthony Ross, cello soloist, and the cello section of the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on September 26, 2025.

Composer’s note:
Here on Native Land is a sonic land acknowledgment, composed as an anti-colonial
fanfare and meditation. I humbly offer this piece in advocacy for the rights of Indigenous peoples everywhere.
Performance Notes:
The opening unison statement is meant to be a symbol of inclusivity and is in solidarity
of Indigenous peoples.

The opening solo flute passage, which appears over a breathing, rising landscape
texture, is in tribute to the woodland Native American wood flute.

I have attempted to de-colonized the orchestration by having the trumpets muted
throughout (i.e., the trumpet is related to the bugle, which was used by U.S. cavalry in
their genocidal campaign against Native Americans in the late 19th century in the U.S.).

Turned on its side (powwow style) and played with a long stick, the bass drum acts as
the heart of the piece.

Other percussionists play natural instruments (stones, driftwood and gourd) and jingle
cones (cone-shaped metal discs sewn onto jingle dresses worn at powwows).