1999 marks the 100th anniversary of this American songwriter's birth. Hal Leonard is pleased to release this symphonic setting of some of his most treasured songs, superbly arranged by James Kessler. Includes: Georgia On My Mind, Heart And Soul, Lazy River, Skylark, and Star Dust.
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| List | $80.00 |
Bristling and dramatic effects, folk-like melodies, and cutting edge contemporary harmonies characterize Michael Sweeney's new opus for concert band. This movement covers a lot of musical ground and will keep your players interested and motivated with its musical excitement. Another winner from Michael Sweeney!
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| List | $65.00 |
Written in honor of the renowned director of the University of Michigan bands, H. Robert Reynolds, William Bolcom has created an impressive new work for the concert band repertoire. With poignant melodies and warm textures, this dramatic piece is destined to become a classic.
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| List | $75.00 |
This wonderful march comes with a remarkable history. Originally titled “Governor Bradford March,” it was written for orchestra in 1948. 50 years later (1998) Tom Everett, director of the Harvard University Band, discovered Mr. Anderson's manuscript for band among some other old band arrangements! This band version was performed for the first time in 1999 and the recording was used by National Public Radio. This striking yet very playable cut-time march is an excellent addition to the repertoire of classic American marches.
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| List | $65.00 |
New to the MusicWorks series, Ted Ricketts brings a fresh and exhilarating style to the concert band medium. Displaying a mastery of tone colors and scoring techniques, this overture begins with a tuneful melody in a lush setting. This is followed by a dynamic fast section featuring strong percussion writing. The piece returns to the opening strains for a very effective ending.
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| List | $65.00 |
In her tone poem City Rain, Judith Zaimont captures the spirit and vitality of a summer shower as it falls on a busy city street. This piece draws a lively picture of a passing storm and is unified by the jazz-like rhythmic motive based on the pattern of the title words “city rain.” Zaimont paints the image of rain through the rhythmic motive and the use of body percussion and alternative instruments (such as tapping patterns on music stands). As the music unfolds, each section of the band is spotlighted at different times. The instruments also join together to produce layers of sound that create interesting and complex jazz chords.
BandQuest®, an exciting series of new music and accompanying curricula for band, is a program published by the American Composers Forum. The series was started as a response to feedback from music educators that there is a pressing need for new, fresh band music. The heart of this program is new works written by a diverse group of leading American composers who have created challenging pieces that are a true departure from standard middle school repertoire. Every BandQuest project includes a residency component in which the composer works collaboratively with a middle school as they create their new piece. Many BandQuest pieces are accompanied by an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to assist students as they learn the music and to integrate each piece with non-music studies. Visit www.bandquest.org to learn more about this innovative series, and email bandquest@composersforum.org to request a free downloadable audio catalog.
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| List | $60.00 |
MusicWorks – Grade 3
Drawing its title from the Greek word for “motion”, this marvelously paced work from Michael Sweeney explores various forms of motion within the concert band setting. The fanfare-like opening uses interplay between the brass, percussion and woodwinds and is followed by a driving main theme. The “slow motion” middle section uses a striking harmonic scheme stated first by the woodwinds and some unusual orchestration devices, before returning to an expanded version of the main theme and dramatic ending. This rewarding and fresh-sounding composition will leave a lasting impression on players and listeners alike. (5:50)
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| List | $65.00 |
For thousands of years, amid turmoil and grandeur, the Nile River has remained a stable and life-giving presence in the land of Egypt. Michael Sweeney hints at sounds from these ancient times as he depicts dances of celebration, awe-inspiring pyramids, invasions and conquest over foreign armies. Brief solos with delicate accompaniments counterbalance bold themes and powerful percussion statements in this substantial work for young bands. An element of rhythmic vitality is pervasive throughout, representing the steady and constant flow of this mighty river of life.
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| List | $65.00 |
Hymns by Giovanni de Palestrina pre-date those of Bach by over a century and incorporate the great polyphonic tradition of Renaissance writing. The compositions used in this suite are from a collection published in 1589 titled Hymns of the Entire Year, and incorporate antiphonal choral effects that lend themselves particularly well to instrumental settings. John Moss uses richly contrasting tone colors and textures as well as characteristic modal tonalities in this wonderful setting for band. Dur: 3:30 (Includes Full Performance CD)
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| List | $65.00 |
Written entirely in 5/4, this captivating and rhythmically dynamic work explores a variety of moods and styles within this single meter. After the initial fanfare, the piece winds through creative textures and hypnotic patterns until reaching a glorious full ensemble climatic section. Providing interesting and important roles for every section (particularly percussion) this will be a joy to prepare and perform. Dur: 3:05 (Includes audio of full performance)
Audio is accessed online using the unique code inside the book and can be streamed or downloaded. The audio files include PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.
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| List | $75.00 |
Feature your entire trumpet section or just a quartet on this entertaining and well-crafted composition. Written in a spirited and joyous style with just a hint of jazz colorations, this change of pace number is sure to be a crowd pleaser and perfect for lighter occasions. Dur: 3:00
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| List | $75.00 |
This lively 6/8 march from John Philip Sousa remains one of his best-known and most performed marches. While keeping the essence of the original intact, Jay Bocook does a masterful job of adjusting the instrumentation and ranges to be playable by just about any young band. An American classic that's perfect for any program! Dur: 2:30 (Grade 3)
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| List | $70.00 |
Shaped note singing is an early American tradition handed down from colonial times, and still thrives today thanks in part to the well-known book The Sacred Harp. (Songs from this book were featured in the 2003 motion picture Cold Mountain.) In creating this distinctive and attractive setting for band, Johnnie Vinson uses the following traditional shaped note songs: The Morning Trumpet, Hallelujah, I'm Going Home, and Warrenton. Dur: 8:15
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| List | $85.00 |
The Marbled Midnight Mile is a companion to Bryant's earlier works Dusk and First Light – the three of them together forming a loosely-related “night cycle.” The title evokes an extended journey through the myriad wandering thoughts that occur in the solitude of night. The music makes only modest technical demands of the ensemble, but is a perfect vehicle to expand the band's musical maturity and sensitivity. Dur: 8:00 (Grade 4)
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| List | $25.00 |
The annual Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race between the Alaskan cities of Anchorage and Nome covers 1,049 challenging miles of jagged mountain ranges, dense forests and windswept coastlines. This amazing feat of endurance was the inspiration for Iditarod. In cinematic fashion, the point of view cuts from long-shots to close-ups (from the dog's view to the eagle's), constantly moving forward with a relentless pulse. With a brief respite, a majestic, sweeping theme is introduced and develops. And then - back to the race! With renewed energy, the dogs race the final stretch; the music building and intensifying to the very end. Iditarod was commissioned by the West Vancouver Youth Band to commemorate the band's 80th anniversary. Take your audience on this exhilarating ride! Dur: 5:35
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| List | $75.00 |