Par CURNOW PAUL. Creative, accessible arranging makes this arrangement a perfect concert opener for your young band's winter concert. The fresh and exciting medley of popular carols will delight your audience and keep all your students engaged and on-task during rehearsal. Even if your band has less than perfect instrumentation HOLIDAY FANTASIE still works beautifully. Careful doubling, controlled…

Par BARKER WARREN. Ponder for a moment the lengths to which people have gone, the trials they have endured, and the risks they have taken while fighting to gain or preserve their freedom. After all, without freedom, what do you have?The opening of IN PRAISE OF FREEDOM introduces a sense of patriotism and independence. The Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion take turns sharing the 'spotlight' througho…

Par HIGGINS GAVIN. Der Aufstand (German for 'riot') is not a descriptive work, nor is it solely based on the riots of 2011. It does, however, draw on the idea of opposing forces and escalating anger. The work falls into two contrasting sections that are linked by a series of repeated, 'screaming' chords. A slow build drives the first section from a single pitch to a blazing orchestral tutti. The s…

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. As the title suggests, this is a fiery and energetic, dynamic overture. Jan Van der Roost was commissioned to write the piece by the Japanese ‘Band of the NEC-Tamagawa Plant’ on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. From the first measure, the brass section sets the scene with rhythmical motives. Gradually we hear melodic and playful themes, often supported by (poly)rhythmic…

Par BULLA STEPHEN. The inspiration for this piece, commissioned by the United States Army Band, came from the Gulf and its constant presentation to the world as a media event on television. The composer wanted to capture the colour and events of war as they were played out on the television screen. Composed as a single movement rhapsody, the work is framed by the riveting sounds of airborne bombin…

Par CURNOW JAMES. Explore different settings of the Medieval Latin carol 'In Dulci Jubilo' via this solid arrangement by James Curnow. Opening with an exquisite 'Brass Choir' section a la Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) and progressing through a 'Woodwind Choir' section in the later J. S. Bach style, WITH SWEET JUBILATION is wonderful 'style study' material. The grace of the early masters and the c…

Musique A Grande Vitesse (MGV ) translates as 'high speed music' and was commissioned by the Festival de Lille for the inauguration of the TGV North European Paris-Lille line in 1993.The piece runs continuously, but was conceived as an abstract, imaginary journey- or rather five inter-connected journeys, each ending with a slow, mainly stepwise melody which is only heard in its 'genuine' form when…

Par CURNOW JAMES. Subtitled 'Prelude Brillante, ' this forceful concert opener is just what you need to begin your next program! Full of strong marcato brass statements, accents and sforzandos, your students will be ablaze with energy and excitement when they play this superb piece! / Niveau : 1.5 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

The classic holiday tune scored for young band accessibility. 'Sleigh Ride' arranged by Mike Story includes written melodic solos for alto and tenor sax, easy brass ranges, simple rhythms, and all the optional parts to include flute, clarinet, and vibraphone. Ride on! (2:13) / Ensemble De Jazz

Par HANNICKEL MIKE. Now your pre-Grade 1 band can honor these African-American heroes of World War II with their performance of TUSKEGEE AIRMEN. Carefully scored with very limited brass ranges and flute parts which avoid difficult fingering combinations, it is playable by groups which have completed only a few pages of their first year method book. Your beginners will sound beyond their years as t…