Brass Quintet - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1489523

Composed by Dr. Daniel N. Thrower. 21st Century,Chamber,Classical,Film/TV. 31 pages. Https://gildedmusicpress.com/ #1066386. Published by https://gildedmusicpress.com/ (A0.1489523).

Dimension Traveler, Op. 150, for brass quintet was completed 26 Mar 2024.  When I wrote the first few distinctive notes into the computer, my ten-year-old son said that it sounded “futuristic.”  Somehow that sparked memories of a novel I had started years ago, titled “Dimension Traveler,” based on dimensional theories I had developed.  With that fresh inspiration in mind, the piece wrote itself with opening movie credits in mind.

The form is thematically palindromic, the center point being m. 77.  The beginning to rehearsal letter A mirrors K to the end; A to B is parallel to J-K; B-C = I-J; C-D = H-I; D-E = G-H; and the central thematic sections E-F = F-G.  Concerning that central turning point, the thematic material shifts from the trumpets’ first statement at letter E to low brass with the trumpets taking on the pointillistic accompaniment at letter F.  Of interest is the parallel of C-D and H-I wherein the motivic material, including dynamics, is quite literally reversed note for note to a climax.

For aural aesthetics in performance, there is an optional cut from letter K to m. 142.  Thematically, the structure remains chiastic, but taking the cut simply truncates the end for a motivic flavor rather than repeating the entire opening entrée.  There is nothing wrong with purists performing the work in its entirety—it is simply a matter of taste among the performing ensemble members.

Stylistically, this piece strays far from my typical compositions.  Besides the pervasive echoing eighth-note motifs, the key never changes, and there is no chromaticism.  Inspired in that regard by the masterpiece “Quintet” by Michael Kamen, the diatonicism often flows in planed clusters mildly influenced by the choral works of Eric Whitacre.  Another deviation from my well-established compositional habits is the instrumentation including bass trombone instead of tuba.  Of course the part can be played by a tubist, though the bass trombone meshes more seamlessly with the timbres of the other instruments in passing along the pervasively echoing eighth-notes.

The individual brass parts appear deceptively simple, and indeed, they are not technically demanding besides a couple high notes in the trumpets.  However, putting this piece together in an ensemble setting is rhythmically treacherous!

The four-minute final product indeed sounds like it could be the opening to an epic movie of the same title, based on the novel-in-progress.

Brass Quintet - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1438147

By Kenneth Abeling. By Claudio S. Grafulla. Arranged by Kenneth Abeling. March. 18 pages. LINCOLN MUSIC PUBLICATIONS #1018224. Published by LINCOLN MUSIC PUBLICATIONS (A0.1438147).

Washington Grays or Washington Greys written by Claudio S. Grafulla transcribed here for Brass Quintet. This is an advanced transcription of Grafulla’s march written for the 8th Regiment during the American Civil War. The Playing time is approximately 4:30 with the repeats and 2:15 without. To view and listen to this piece in its entirety as well hundreds of other arrangements and transcriptions by Kenneth Abeling at the lowest prices available please visit: https://lincolnmusicpublications.com/.

Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1158388

Composed by Dr. Daniel N. Thrower. 20th Century,Chamber,Classical,Comedy. 22 pages. Https://gildedmusicpress.com/ #758669. Published by https://gildedmusicpress.com/ (A0.1158388).

My wife’s from-scratch cinnamon rolls are famous throughout our community—especially among our children’s circle of friends. While enjoying a socially-distanced church service at home on Easter Sunday, there was a batch of those butterfly-inducing cinnamon rolls baking in the new oven. They filled the home with an exquisite aromatic delight. Then the magic motif chimed: “The food is done!� I happened to have my composition notebook with me, and the little four-note tune inspired this composition. It just naturally took me in some happy musical directions, and within a minute or two, the melodic content, replete with fun-filled, muted second-trumpet echoes, was scrawled down. The next day, the music was entered into the computer. It is interesting that I gave the horn the cliché off-beats that all hornists know and love so well. Funny, I usually pride myself on writing for horn as an equal musical instrument; however, this fun, happy melody just demanded an “um-pah� accompaniment. Hopefully there is enough variety to keep the part fun to play. It helps that the piece is only two minutes and something long. The transition into the B section almost wrote itself, modulating to the relative minor. There I paused briefly, wondering how to treat a minor section in such an exuberant piece. Oh, but inspiration continued to flow, and I resumed writing in earnest with a mischievous smile! This section beautifully portrays a naughty, sneaky kid tiptoeing into the kitchen for another cinnamon roll—forbidden until after dinner! The listener can hear the kid’s nervous fluttering heart, and moments of pulling his hand back in startled impishness, and even shuddering as he looks fearfully over his shoulder. At the end of the B section, he gets caught! Witnessing that low-hanging head and puppy dog eyes, mommy finds that she can’t scold the lad too severely. “After dinner, little one…� she reprimands with an understanding grin. The jubilant melody returns to round out the work’s ternary ABA form, though this time with a very sticky Ives-esque climax, reminiscent of a gooey cinnamon roll mess. Too enjoyable to be bothered by prospects of cleaning up, the music shrugs it off with flippant ragtime syncopations, and ends with the “hic-burp� of a very satisfied tummy.

Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1158382

Composed by Dr. Daniel N. Thrower. 20th Century,Chamber,Classical. 49 pages. Https://gildedmusicpress.com/ #758665. Published by https://gildedmusicpress.com/ (A0.1158382).

Brass quintet in six short movements. Duration, approx. 8 minutes. Movement I: “Family Vacations.� Fond memories of childhood vacations as well as leading out on road trips as a father, are reflected by the excitement of this movement. Feel free to reminisce on your own family trips as you listen to or perform this movement. Movement II: “Jovial Banter.� I was going to call this movement “Roughhousing,� but that is only part of what this playful piece conjures. Besides wrestling my five boys (with my one girl amusedly watching off to the side), friendly joking with friends about rival universities, and playing harmless pranks on friends and family, all seem to be rolled up into this truly jovial movement. It has its own tricks and surprises to one who has never heard it before. Movement III: “Holiday Foods.� This waltz displays more elegance and structure than most of the other movements. It primarily elicits memories of the distinctive Thrower Christmas feasts, for which we created a unique tradition. Our yuletide banquets hail from a different country every year. Through the decades, we have discovered and adopted many international favorites that we continue to enjoy! Note the middle section of the waltz gets a bit spicy… Movement IV: “Pets.� Though as an adult I have not had the pleasure of enjoying personal pets, my youngest son developed an affinity for YouTube videos about funny cats and dogs. Nevertheless, my favorite childhood pet was “Blackie,� the splendid satin feline featured on the cover of this work. Pets are often quirky and extremely fun, as is this music. If it doesn’t put a smile on the listener’s face, someone in the line of musical communication may have failed. Movement V: “Sharing God’s Wonders.� Slow and wondrous, the music in this movement yearns to be shared. The theme, though only somewhat related to the other variations, strays to its own content after the first motivic notes. The melody is borrowed from a 2010 band composition of mine titled “Tribute to Joel Robison,� an ancestor, and a Texas hero. One passion I have enjoyed through the years is family history, truly a God-given legacy from which I draw much inspiration. Movement VI: “Personal Triumphs.� Indeed a subject to celebrate, triumphs of self-mastery, conquests over difficult tasks, and achievements of monumental goals all prompt me to break out in triumphant fanfares!