Steven Bryant

in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it’s
spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer
old balloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it’s
spring
and

the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles
far
and
wee
– E.E. Cummings, In Just-, from Tulips and Chimneys

Marbles and Piracies takes its title from the E.E. Cummings poem, In Just-, celebrating childhood, playfulness, innocence, springtime, and its inevitable brevity. The music is light-hearted, dynamic, and full of joyous diversion.

Commissioned by: Commissioned by East Carolina University, William Staub, Director of Bands and Jones Distinguished Scholar This commission was made possible by the Jones Distinguished Professorship in Music.

Premiered

3 November 2026, East Carolina University Wind Ensemble, NC, William Staub, conductor
10 November 2026, East Carolina University Wind Ensemble at the NCMEA Conference in Winston-Salem, NC, William Staub, conductor

Technical Info

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