Brass Quintet - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1489490 Composed by Dr. Daniel N. Thrower. Chamber,Classical,Historic,Patriotic. 38 pages. Https://gildedmusicpress.com/ #1066354. Published by https://gildedmusicpress.com/ (A0.1489490). Three of these seven short pieces are worthy to open any brass quintet concert or recital.  Two fanfares are too short for a concert feature but work extremely well in a ceremony or celebratory setting.  The last two short pieces aptly serve contrasting special purposes, as explained below.“Fort Pierre Fanfare” is about 40 seconds in duration, and was composed to open the feature concert at the South Dakota Bandmasters Association convention in 2022.  Offutt Brass, from the US Air Force Heartland of America Band, was invited to perform that concert.  Before the final piece of the concert, when gifts were exchanged between the sponsor and performers, beautiful presentation copies of the sheet music were presented to the sponsor.  In performance, staging directions on the music can be extremely effective or cringy, depending on how they are conveyed.  If there is any inkling that there may be a cringe factor, ignore them, and play the fanfare already on stage.“Enduring Freedom Fanfare” is nearly a minute of music.  It was composed as a gift for the outgoing Commander of the US Air Force Heritage of America Band, Major Rafael Toro-Quiñones.  His leadership was strong and inspiring, and he held a place of high esteem among many of the fine military musicians that he led.  The Change of Command ceremony was toward the end of the Covid-19 shut-downs, so the work was not performed at the ceremony.  Chief Remley, from the command’s satellite location in Nebraska, hand-delivered some finely printed presentation copies to Major Toro-Quiñones.“Noble Eagle Fanfare” is slightly over a minute in length, and, like “Enduring Freedom Fanfare,” was composed as a gift for another outgoing Commander of the US Air Force Heritage of America Band, Captain David Neil Regner.“Pilgrims’ Fanfare” was composed on what many Americans acknowledge as “Pioneer Day,” 24 July 2023.  Not only honoring the thousands of pioneers that settled the western United States, but also the pilgrims that voyaged across the ocean to settle in the new continent.  It is about 15 seconds in duration and is effective for any occasion in need of a magnificent fanfare.“Flightline Fanfare,” as its title implies, was composed for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the dedication of the newly renovated flightline at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.  Unfortunately, the ceremony itself was altered last-minute, and the 15-second fanfare was not used.  However, like “Pilgrims’ Fanfare,” it is very handy for any event demanding a splash of pomp.“American Interlude” is a soft 75-second underscore for an MC’s moving speech or dedication.  It was originally composed as a smooth segue between two moving patriotic pieces of different keys in a concert setting, but can be used in any similar appropriate situation.“Troop 184” is dedicated to my childhood BSA Scoutmaster, Gerry Nielson, who molded me in significant ways into the man I am decades later.  It is functional music, akin to a fight song, and can be easily marched to.  Words may be crafted as a customized hiking ditty, or it can be featured before or after ceremonies as prelude or processional music.  The duration can also be customized, as there is a written optional repeat, lengthening the tune from 45 seconds to a minute and a half.

Brass Quintet - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1489487 Composed by Dr. Daniel N. Thrower. 21st Century,Chamber,Classical,Historic,Multicultural,World. 28 pages. Https://gildedmusicpress.com/ #1066350. Published by https://gildedmusicpress.com/ (A0.1489487). One of my last assignments as an Air Force musician before being stationed in Japan was to perform music in support of the 50th commemoration of what has become known in America as “Vietnam Memorial Day.”  It is observed on March 29 every year, the date when the last U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam in 1973.  After the memorable ceremony in 2023, I lingered to talk with those mature veterans and to hear some of their experiences.  It was a strange feeling when I told them that my first assignment at my new duty station in Japan would be a series of cultural exchange performances in Vietnam.  What a somber generational bridge.I was only in Japan for a matter of days, including some intense rehearsals, before Pacific Brass (the brass quintet from the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific) packed up and headed to Hanoi to start our brief musical outreach in three cities.  My reflections were sobering as I contrasted my military service in Vietnam with the veterans whom I had just honored three months prior.  During some off-duty time, all five of the Pacific Brass military musicians found our way to the well-known Hòa Ló Prison, infamously known as the “Hanoi Hilton.”  Indeed, how vastly different was my brief military service in Vietnam!To the Vietnamese people, the “American War,” as they call it, is ancient history.  They are extremely forward-thinking, putting those dark years far from them, looking to the bright future that is theirs.  What an educational bridge of paradigms.  Although it was important for us as U.S. Servicemembers to witness the Hòa Ló Prison firsthand, our lot was to experience the beautiful present-day Vietnam with its rich culture of food, street shops, temples, dance, music, and other wonders that awed us all—including gongs!Our trombone player purchased a gong in a shop that sold little else besides gongs of all sizes and pitches.  That struck me as quintessentially Vietnamese, and the sights and sounds of that modest shop lingered in my imagination.  As we absorbed the extraordinary majesty of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, ideas for this musical composition started to formulate as a bridge connecting American musical culture with Vietnamese traditional gongs.  For practicality in both notation and live performance, I scored the consort of 18 glorious “gongs” in my head for orchestral tubular bells.  It is a passionate hope that someday in a video presentation, a masterful cultural bridge of the two diverse countries will be crafted.  Better yet, what an experience it would be to have a legitimate gong consort perform live with Pacific Brass!The year of our visit, as we were coached many times by the Embassy’s Attaché, was a milestone landmark between the two nations, worthy of praise and celebration: the ten-year anniversary of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, signed by Presidents Obama and Sang in July 2013.  This bilateral relationship has bridged both nations’ commitment to economic engagement, cultural exchange, tourism, education, and human rights.  This composition is in celebration of this Comprehensive Partnership and a gift to the wonderful people of Vietnam.  May this music contribute to a continuing growth of positive relations bridging the two nations.

Brass Quintet - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1489498 Composed by Dr. Daniel N. Thrower. 21st Century,Chamber,Historic,Instructional,Multicultural,World. 17 pages. Https://gildedmusicpress.com/ #1066363. Published by https://gildedmusicpress.com/ (A0.1489498). Rounding out the “American Trails” with the fifth composition in the collection, “Trail of Tears” is in reference to the heart-wrenching dark history of over 60,000 American Indians being expelled from their lands.  During the period between 1830 and 1850, natives from five tribes were forcibly displaced from their homelands in what later became known as the American Deep South.  These “Five Civilized Tribes” included the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole nations.  Under the leadership of President Andrew Jackson, Congress passed the “Indian Removal Act” in 1830 which revoked all land ownership from all Native Americans in the Southeast.  Although Jackson was not the originator of the movement to remove the Indians, it was his top legislative priority upon taking office.  In his mind, they were a primary obstacle for the fulfillment of the Manifest Destiny and American national success.  There were many opponents to the violent legislation, such as David Crockett of Tennessee and Catherine Beecher.The most brutal year of the Trail of Tears occurred in 1838 among the Cherokee who had resisted the Treaty of New Echota of 1836 through petitions and pleas to the US government.  Despite their efforts, the expulsive treaty was ratified and the resistant Cherokee were compelled by militia to vacate all lands east of the Mississippi River.  The heaviest death tolls occurred in the summer and winter months of 1838 after the deadline to depart had passed in May.  Disease, exposure, starvation, and harassment by frontiersman compounded the physical exertion of the “death marches” that killed many.This composition extensively borrows the four-note motif from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.  That symphony was composed in the early 1800s in Europe at the same time as the growth of the anti-Indian sentiment across the American frontier.  Rather than primary thematic material, “Trail of Tears” uses the motif as a morose, plodding accompanimental pattern that adds depth of sorrow to the musical homage.

Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1419806 By Fiona Alice Hickie. By Fiona Alice Hickie. Arranged by Fiona Alice Hickie. 21st Century,Chamber,Classical,Latin. 17 pages. Fiona Alice Hickie #1001228. Published by Fiona Alice Hickie (A0.1419806). A piece for brass quintet based on the poem by the same name. It is a slow piece is a South American style.Based on the poem: Lyrics: 1. My roots once clung to the earth, The wind is calm the river still. As if nothing else survives. My world is empty, am I alive? From my limbs a fruit was plucked, Within its sheath my heart was tucked. Its seeds contained my unknown future, Inside a flesh so sweet and pure. 2. Would my seeds find a place to fall? Nice fertile ground so they'd grow tall. Or would they find some barren ground. Where no love or nurture can be found? Without the fruit my limbs were bare. An old tree nearby just stood and stared. Why should it stop and help the tree Who let its fruit be taken from thee. 3. About the charmer who took the fruit? Should he help to make them grow? Instead he walked right off the land. With barely a wave of his hand. He bit the apple as he walked away. Enjoying its flesh but did not stay. No care at all for the damage he’d done He took the heart from his loved one. 4. So grow another fruit you say. And yes that would be the logical way. But some trees grow abundant fruit. Small and nice without dispute. Others instead grow one to perfection. Round and sweet, on close inspection. But once it’s gone then that is all. Then no more shall ever fall. 5. I sit here on the barren hill, The wind is calm the river still. As if nothing else survives. The world is empty no soul survives. Dedicated to Ben van den Akker.

Brass Quintet Euphonium,Flugelhorn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1047456 Composed by R. Nathaniel Dett. Arranged by Charles Decker. 20th Century,Contest,Festival,Jazz,Pop,Ragtime. 24 pages. Charles Decker Music Press #652018. Published by Charles Decker Music Press (A0.1047456). This entertaining and playful cakewalk, forerunner of ragtime style, is by the prominent Canadian-American Black composer Nathaniel Dett who studied with notable teachers such as composer Arthur Foote at Harvard, was the first African-American to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Oberlin Conservatory in composition and piano in 1908 and received an Honorary Masters Degree in 1932 from the Eastman School of Music. Scored for two trumpets in B-flat (with alternate C trumpet parts), horn (with flugelhorn substitute), trombone (with treble clef euphonium substitute) and tuba, the arrangement has wide audience appeal and is very accessible for less experienced players. The recoding is of the entire edition.“The Music of Black Composers Series is a welcome and timely addition to the brass repertoire. Interesting music, expertly arranged, fun to perform, and well received by audiences. These pieces are now permanently in my quintet book and I will be using them with my student groups as well. Highly recommended!�   Wesley Nance, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Eastman School of Music“I was so pleased to see the great works arranged for brass ensemble by Charles Decker Music Press especially the Music of Black Composers’ Series. It was especially rewarding to perform several of these with Summit Brass and with the students attending the Rafael Mendez Brass institute. Please keep these wonderful settings coming. You have provided the brass world with some real gems.�  Joseph Parisi, Director Summit Brass, Fountain City Brass Band, University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory Wind EnsembleThe Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Denver have purchased the Music of Black Composer Series with Charles Decker Music Press and the summer Rafael Mendez Brass Institute and Eastman School of Music uses the series arrangements in their chamber and brass ensembles music programs. See 50+ homogeneous brass editions for trumpet, horn and trombone ensembles and 75+ mixed brass ensemble publications with Charles Decker Music Press at Sheet Music Plus for inexperienced to advanced musicians with music ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary new works for trios, quartets, quintets, brass choir and brass band. Many of the mixed brass ensemble editions include alternate and substitute parts being alternate C trumpet parts for B-flat trumpet parts, flugelhorn/trumpet substitute for horn, horn substitute for trombone and treble clef euphonium substitute for trombone. To see our Music of Black Composers Series enter “Black Composers Series� in the search box at Charles Decker Music Press for 25 arrangements for mixed brass ensembles ranging from early jazz to symphonic works with composers Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, R. Nathaniel Dett, William Grant Still, Will Marion Cook, James Reese Europe, James Johnson and others..For more brass quintet editions by Charles Decker use these links to Kendor Music  and Cherry Classics Music for listings of my arrangements of music by J.S. Bach, H.L. Clarke, Debussy, Dukas, Elgar, Falla, Holst, Ives, Nestico, Rachmaninoff, Satie, and Tchaikovsky.

Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1209169 By Andrew Lamb. By Henry Smith (1813-1879). Arranged by Andrew Lamb. Christian,Classical,Religious. 19 pages. Andrew Lamb #807281. Published by Andrew Lamb (A0.1209169). Title: The Vesper BellComposer: Henry Smith (1813-1879)Arranger: Andrew LambDescription: This is my transcription of the prelude The Vesper by composer Henry Smith (1813-1879).Henry Smith was an American composer and organist born in Salem, Massachusetts, on September 27, 1813. At a young age, he showed musical talent and became a pupil of Lowell Mason, an influential educator and composer who was instrumental in developing music education in the United States. Smith was also a prolific composer and wrote over 500 works, including hymns, songs, anthems, and instrumental music. Many of his hymns are still sung today in churches across the country, including Rejoice in the Lord Always, and Sabbath Bells are Ringing. In addition to his work as a composer, Smith was also an accomplished organist and held positions at several churches throughout his career, including in Boston and New York City.Smith was a supporter of music education and was influential in developing the music program at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he taught for several years. He was also a member of the Boston Academy of Music and served as its president from 1852 to 1856.Henry Smith died on October 2, 1879, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 66. His contributions to American music, particularly within the realm of religious music, were significant and helped shape the development of American classical music.

Brass Ensemble - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.917402 Composed by Gregory Fritze. 20th Century,Concert,Contemporary,Standards. Score and parts. 96 pages. Musica Nova USA #4895219. Published by Musica Nova USA (A0.917402). Petite Suite for Brass Quintet is a light-hearted piece for brass quintet in four movements with a duration of fourteen minutes. The four movements follow the basic Classical symphonic form - Allegro, Adagio, Scherzo (Presto) and Finale (Presto). The first movement Strombor has a fanfare at the beginning with a melodic 2nd theme in the French Horn. The second movement is based on a slow cantabile theme. The 3rd movement Attack of the Killer Bees includes a bit of theatre. Throughout the movement there is a buzzing of bees, which are killed at the end when all the players stomp on them. The 4th movement Finale has a feeling of cartoon music, ending with a big finish. Throughout the Suite each of the five instrumentalists is featured. The grade of this piece is level 5 (intermediate) for all instruments.Petite Suite for Brass Quintet was composed in 2000 on a commission by the Strombor Brass Quintet of Valencia, Spain. It was recorded by that group on Allegro Records V-3076-2002.  It was also recorded by the Hoodlebug Brass Quintet on Albany Records Troy 1175. It can be heard on youtube at: http://youtu.be/RZFf3W_yZLo.  Several ensembles around the world have played it, receiving over 100 performances in recent years. Petite Suite for Brass Quintet was submitted to the American Prize Composition Competition in the chamber music division in 2016. It was the highest awarded brass quintet composition that year, awarded Finalist.  Gregory Fritze is a prize-winning composer and Fulbright Scholar, as well as an active performer and conductor. He recently retired from Berklee College of Music where he was Professor and Chair of Composition, serving on the faculty from 1979 to 2016. He has written over ninety compositions for orchestra, band, chamber ensembles and soloists. He has won over fifty composition awards both nationally and internationally, including First Prize in the 1st WASBE (World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles) International Composition Contest 2017, First Prize Winner of Reneé Fisher Composition Prize, First Prize Winner in Concurso Bienal de Composición de Musica para Banda, Ciudad de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain), Menzione d’Onore (highest award given) of the Mario Bernardo Angelo-Comneno International Music Competition by the Accademia Angelica Costantiniana Arti E Scienze (Italy), First Prize in 1991 TUBA International Etude Composition Competition, the IBLA Grand Prize (Italy), several awards from The American Prize, Composition Awards from Standard Awards Panel of American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers and many others. His compositions include works published by several publishers in the United States, South America and Europe and have been performed extensively throughout the world. He has been a frequent traveler to Spain since 1993 and has promoted compositions by Spanish composers around the world. He is the only composer who has been commissioned six times by Spanish bands for Certamen competitions, with each band winning first prize. He has thirty-three compositions commercially recorded on Albany Records, MSR Classics, Crystal Records, Mark Records and others. He has been a guest lecturer, conductor and performer at many colleges, universities and music festivals in the United States, Canada, Japan, South America and Europe. He was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1954 and has Composition degrees from the Boston Conservatory and Indiana University. He now resides in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida.

Brass Ensemble,Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1201800 Composed by Spiritual. Arranged by Alex Nunes Rodrigues. Spiritual,Traditional. Score and parts. 7 pages. Alex Rodrigues #800417. Published by Alex Rodrigues (A0.1201800). This is the perfect opportunity for musicians who wish to expand their repertoire with a classic of American folklore. Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us is a masterpiece that will enchant any audience.

Brass Ensemble,Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1201798 Composed by Spiritual. Arranged by Alex Nunes Rodrigues. Spiritual,Traditional. Score and parts. 7 pages. Alex Rodrigues #800415. Published by Alex Rodrigues (A0.1201798). This is the perfect opportunity for musicians who wish to expand their repertoire with a classic of American folklore. Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us is a masterpiece that will enchant any audience.

Brass Ensemble,Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1201801 Composed by Spiritual. Arranged by Alex Nunes Rodrigues. Spiritual,Traditional. Score and parts. 7 pages. Alex Rodrigues #800418. Published by Alex Rodrigues (A0.1201801). This is the perfect opportunity for musicians who wish to expand their repertoire with a classic of American folklore. Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us is a masterpiece that will enchant any audience.

Brass Ensemble,Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1201799 Composed by Spiritual. Arranged by Alex Nunes Rodrigues. Spiritual,Traditional. Score and parts. 7 pages. Alex Rodrigues #800416. Published by Alex Rodrigues (A0.1201799). This is the perfect opportunity for musicians who wish to expand their repertoire with a classic of American folklore. Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us is a masterpiece that will enchant any audience.

Brass Quintet - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1489511 Composed by Dr. Daniel N. Thrower. 21st Century,Chamber,Historic,Patriotic,Pop. 38 pages. Https://gildedmusicpress.com/ #1066374. Published by https://gildedmusicpress.com/ (A0.1489511). In 2022 the United States Air Force celebrated 75 years of air and space dominance since its creation in 1947.  The festivities and ceremonies surfaced throughout the nation all year.  This composition was crafted as one of those celebratory creations.  “Legacy of Valor” was originally composed for brass quintet and rock band, with two vocalists singing a stirring account of legacy handed down from one generation to another.  The lyrics are here:In my youth, I knew a manWho loved to talk about his history;Unfolded his mystery!He made me laugh about some things,And we cried about some others,And we prayed as we talked about his fallen brothers.As I grew, I though a lotAbout that man who told me stories—His woes and his glories.Something firm about his voiceInspired my skill to make a choice,To recall our defenders’ valiant sacrifice.As I wanted to be like this man,As I pondered and dreamedOf becoming what I can,I hoped to see the day, without delay,To defend, like my friend!When I took the oath,I remembered that man!How proud he would beOf his brand new Airman!I answered the call.I’ll give it my all!I will not falter!  I will not fail!I’m a guardian of the tradition of honor!Fly, fight, and win!When I hold my little boy,And think of freedoms he’ll enjoy,I ponder his destiny.Yes, it’s hard when I deploy!But distance cannot destroyWhat I love; what I fight so very hard to save!Generations come and go.I wish they all could knowHow it feels to serve America.The piece was difficult for the singers, but they practiced hard, and the USAF Heartland of America Band premiered it during an Independence Day concert tour in June and July 2022, including the grand patriotic concert at Mount Rushmore.A casual comment from one of the singers lingered: “You write for singers like they’re horns!”  It is true that most of my compositional experience is with brass instruments.  This double brass quintet instrumental rendition of “Legacy of Valor” is indeed a much more musically gratifying composition.  It is the way it was supposed to be all along!Released in 2023 for the 76th birthday of the Air Force, this work and its message are appropriate for any patriotic event, including joint performances between any two brass quintets, civilian or military, American or global.  Many stirring meanings can be communicated and celebrated through “Legacy of Valor”!

Brass Ensemble - Level 5 - Digital Download SKU: A0.945051 Composed by Anonymous. Arranged by Kent S. Burchill. Contemporary,Contest,Festival,Folk,Holiday,Patriotic. Score and parts. 28 pages. WINDCREST #5361571. Published by WINDCREST (A0.945051). This is one of the most well-known folk songs from the 19th Century. The performance duration of this selection is about five minutes at the suggested tempo. This selection will find welcome performance opportunities whenever a lighter-themed selection of Americana music is desired. While light-themed in nature, this arrangement places musical challenges upon the performers, all of whom should be medium advanced in their performance skills. This arrangement is written alla breve and begins in the key of F Major (concert), but modulates to G Major (concert) and eventually concludes in Ab Major (concert). The Trumpet I part ascends scale-wise to written Eb above high C at the end of a run at one point. The French Horn has a couple of instances of a written high G, A, and Bb above the staff. Otherwise, ranges are reasonable.The arrangement has multiple musical references to the American West. To this arranger the melody suggested a reference to fiddle tunes and barn dances, an important social and cultural past-time of the era. It seemed like a logical direction to steer this arrangement.

Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 5 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1228477 Composed by Charles Ives. Arranged by Charles Decker. 20th Century. 27 pages. Gordon Cherry #824554. Published by Gordon Cherry (A0.1228477). Charles Ives Variations on America has been artfully arranged by Charles Decker for Brass Quintet of virtuoso performers. This work of about 8 minutes in length was composed and published in 1891 for Concert Organ at the time it was the de facto national anthem of the U.S.A.The work is based upon and inspired by America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee) an American patriotic song that uses the same melody as the national anthem of the United Kingdom God Save the Queen. Variations on America has 5 variations including a number of humorous sections with some definite tongue-in-cheek happening. Ives, who performed it first on a concert grand Organ for a Fourth of July celebration in 1892 was quoted as saying that it was, almost as fun as playing baseball.Instrumentation is for 2 Trumpets (Trumpet 1 in E-flat and C, Trumpet 2 in B-flat), Horn in F, Trombone and Tuba).

Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1158678 Composed by Dr. Daniel N. Thrower. 20th Century,Chamber,Classical,Historic. 30 pages. Https://gildedmusicpress.com/ #758696. Published by https://gildedmusicpress.com/ (A0.1158678). The opening of this 4-minute piece is dance-like, intimating a celebratory mood up front—alone at first, but shared with the ensemble throughout the piece. After much celebration, the piece ends solemnly, as if giving each other final hugs and good-byes. Every Airman has a story to tell. “Farewell Celebration� is part of my story as an Airman musician. It is a fitting farewell to the Heartland of America Band stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, and to the entire American Midwest, as my family and I finalized our plans to uproot for an extraordinary three-year adventure in Asia. Work on this composition began toward the end of July and beginning of August 2021 as a melody with instructions to be the opening of a brass quintet piece, beginning with trumpet alone. It remained in that state until January 2022 when I entered this sketch into the computer to be worked on sporadically along with several other works in progress. When I contracted Covid-19 in July 2022, all of these works and other incipient pieces received attention, but this one more than most others. In the fall, I felt an urgency to complete it as a sentimental gesture of enthusiastic good-byes due to many life changes taking place. In particular, my fourth son, Paul, was departing for two years for Brazil. I was compelled to complete this work before he left on October 17, 2022, which I accomplished the day prior to his departure. In addition to Paul’s farewell, two co-workers with whom I had worked closely in the Air Force brass quintet called “Offutt Brass,� were also moving on with new exciting chapters in their lives. MSgt Ben Kadow, our fantastic trombonist, had received an assignment to move to Germany, leaving us on November 8. And MSgt Ryan Heseltine, our unparalleled French horn player, retired at the end of the year. On top of all that, in September I was given an assignment to move to Japan the following summer. Some farewells are more difficult to endure than others, though all seem to have varied brands of profound emotion. In contrast to saying good-bye to a loved one who passes away, all of these farewells were joyful, albeit poignant. “Farewell Celebration� is dedicated to my son Paul, to my outstanding professional colleagues, Ben Kadow and Ryan Heseltine, and to all our friends and family members who we left behind as we moved to Japan.