SKU: A0.548649

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring from Bach's Cantata 147, arranged for flute choir: piccolo, 3 flutes, alto flute, bass flute, double contrabass flute (optional) and cello (optional). Score: 19 pg. Parts: 2 pg. Duration with optional repeat: 7:36

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Bach composed a cantata called Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben. Though it is the 32nd cantata, it is listed as BWV 147. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is the 10th movement of the cantata. It was customary to use previous melodies as a basis for a new work - a practice called Cantus prius factus. So, the chorale melody for this piece is a historic tune called Werde munter, mein Gemüthe. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is customarily performed at weddings, and during major church seasons such as Easter and Christmas.

Bach Overview

First of all, Johann Sebastian Bach is maybe the greatest composer in music history. Certainly, he was prolific. As a result, everyone has heard of his works. Furthermore, these works number well over a thousand. It seems like people are probably most familiar with the instrumental works such as the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations. But, similarly famous are such noteworthy works as the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Musical Offering, and certainly the Art of Fugue. Seems like his most famous vocal works include the most noteworthy Mass in B Minor. Also, most noteworthy, though, are the St. John Passion, and certainly the Christmas Oratorio.

 History

Bach came from a long line of musicians and above all, composers. Consequently, he, first of all, pursued a career as a church organist. So as a result, he gained employment in various Protestant churches in Germany. For a while, he worked as a court musician in Weimar and Köthen. Here he probably developed his organ style and likewise his chamber music style. Eventually, he, therefore gained an appointment as Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig. Here he worked until difficulties with his employer ultimately drove him away. The King of Poland finally appointed him as court composer.

 Style

It seems like Bach created a fascinating new international style. He synthesized elements of the most noteworthy European music ideas into his new style. Even more, this new style was probably his synthesis of European musical rhythm and form. Furthermore, in addition to his complete mastery of counterpoint and motivic development, his sense of harmonic organization probably propelled him to the top.

Revival               

Mendelssohn conducted a Bach revival in the nineteenth century. His effort probably helped to re-familiarize the public with the magnitude of Bach’s works. During this period, scholars published many noteworthy Bach biographies. Moreover, Wolfgang Schmieder published the BWV (Bach Werke Verzeichnis). As a result, this is now the official catalog of his entire artistic output. The BWV number allows us to locate a work in the catalog. Sometimes scholars will simply use an S (Schmieder) as an abbreviation for BWV.

SKU: A0.1174640

Midnight Carousel is scored for Six C Flutes. -A Flute choir comprising 4 C Flutes, Alto and Bass Flute is also available

Midnight Carousel is in the deep rich key of D minor to aid to the After Dark mood and mystery
The piece has two distinct ideas. After the introduction a Circus- type Waltz begins, when this is repeated it has a very haunting counter melody which is both lilting and lyrical. As the piece develops, an out of character playful Scherzo theme begins which adds some intensity and mystery surrounding the Midnight Carousel. Both Waltz and Scherzo themes exchange dialogue throughout this section as if wanting some sort of control, when suddenly two accents appear to signify a halt We then return to the opening theme once more to lead us to a finish. Before the conclusion however, the Scherzo theme re-instates it's ideas before the final bars!

The whole score is on the youtube link for you to assess suitability- It has been set to intermediate level as the range is around 2 octaves with some parts less than this. Mainly Quarter and Eighth notes used throughout- therefore it would be appropriate for some early-intermediate players.
It is around 3 mins 30 long and price is for full score and all parts.

Ideal for concerts, contests, productions, halloween, folklore/fantasy themes or simply something different to add to the repertoire.

SKU: A0.813987

Flute Octet - Intermediate - Digital Download. This arrangement of Silent Night, or in German, Stille Nacht, would be a wonderful addition to any music library and could be performed for Christmas concerts, recitals, and, especially, church services. It is equally suitable for junior and senior high school students and even older musicians. Depending on their ability, younger musicians would also enjoy playing this selection. Included are a score and a complete set of parts (11 pages). This selection is one of the many arrangements from The Regis Bookshar Trumpet Ensemble's extensive music library which are being made available for the first time.

Silent Night is probably the most popular Christmas carol ever written. It was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr and was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a small village in present-day Austria. A young Catholic priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had written the poem, Stille Nacht, in 1816 and had gone to Oberndorf in 1817. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. On Christmas Eve, 1818, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for that night's mass, after river flooding had possibly damaged the church organ. The church was eventually destroyed by repeated flooding and has since been replaced with the Silent-Night-Chapel.

According to Gruber, Karl Mauracher, an organ builder who serviced the instrument at the Oberndorf church, was enamored with the song, and took the composition home with him to the Ziller Valley in Tyrol, Austria. From there, two traveling families of folk singers, the Strassers and the Rainers, included the tune in their shows. The Rainers were already singing it around Christmas, 1819, and once performed it for an audience that included Franz I of Austria and Alexander I of Russia. They also gave the first performance of the song in the United States in New York City in 1839. By the 1840's, the song was well known and was reported to be a favorite of Frederick William IV of Prussia. During this period, the melody changed slightly to become the version that is commonly heard today. The version of the melody that is generally used today is a slow, meditative lullaby, or pastoral, differing slightly from Gruber's original which has a moderate tempo. The song has been translated into about 140 languages and has been recorded by many singers across many music genres. The version sung by Bing Crosby in 1935, has sold over 10 million copies as a single.

In this arrangement of Silent Night, Regis Bookshar has kept the basic form of this familiar Christmas carol, but has also included a descant during the third verse. Also, in addition to this version for a Flute Octet, there are other arrangements of Silent Night available for a variety of instrumental ensembles. There are Quintets and Octets readily available for purchase. Please take the time to look for other versions of this composition. You may find something else that might also suit your needs.

I would also encourage you to search for other arrangements by Regis Bookshar, as well, as there are numerous arrangements in a wide variety of styles, also available for purchase. You may find something else which might interest you. Please continue to check periodically because new arrangements are being added as often as possible. I'm certain that this wonderful arrangement of Silent Night will continue to entertain both performers and audiences alike for years to come.

SKU: A0.1226298

Varadero is a modern Cha-Cha. The name is a city in Cuba- the country the Cha- Cha originated.

Varadero is in concert G minor and is scored for Six C Flutes. It is essentially in ternary form, however there are two different sections in the middle before returning to the opening and coda. There is plenty of interest in all parts- the range is Low C to the the highest note being top G so not too high, and the rhythmic off-beats play the largest part in this style. Hence it has been placed at Intermediate but the full score is on the youtube link for you to assess suitability. It is 3 mins 20 in length.

I wanted to do something a little different for flute choirs so it could be useful in a variety of contexts- concert, contests, recital, productions, shows  encore piece etc.
Price is for the full score and all parts.

There is another flute choir version available which has 4 C flutes, Alto and Bass, also there is a Clarinet choir version.

SKU: A0.1242493

The Village by Wrabel, arranged for flute choir /ensemble 


arranged by me, Ray-Michael Kauffman. This beautiful and poignant song  is part of my Compositions that care series, meaning all profits from thios arrangemnt goes to a charity. This charity is for LGBTQ+.
 ( about the song meaning)
Wrabel, the composer, stated the song is about the LGBTQ+ community and all the hardships they face.
The song is directed and to encourage and give hope to a trans person who is being treated poorly and ostracized , and to let that perosn struggling know that there is absolutely Nothing wrong with you and there's soemthing wrong with the village.

Too many of the trans/LGBTQ+ comminity are struggling , especially in todays political climate. All around the world LGBTQ+ persons are being bullied, discriminated against , attacked, thrown in jail , and even killed with liitle to no laws to protect people.
in my own personal life, as a victim of a horrible hate crime where the person involved attmepted to beat me and kill me , unfortuanelty i found out very qucikly how laws even in the USA do not protect me , how many cops ignored me and/or attmepted to make the attack  my fault , and how laywers did not want to help and judges either ,and beacsue of the laws i was not protected as a minority and the crime wasn't a hate crime even though the criminals admitted this as the reason of the attack.
I was told that this was not a hate crime , unless the criminals made me a victim of S.A., used a car/vehicle , or a gun, or actually ended my life. I also wanted to add , this brutal attack ( recorded on video by the criminals )  which caused such serious bodily harm, had me in the hospital for surgeries, and required months of long and painful rehab and therapy.
As a country, as a society, as a planet ,  we all need to do better, and have to have more protections for such a discriminated group of persons.
I did want to add , all the issues happening around the world, and even here in the USA, such as the awful and fascist discrimitory laws in Florida and other states it's no wonder the statistics of LGBTQ+ that contemplate ending their person or even attempting the act .
I ask respectfully  that every one please go to law makers and demand better laws and treatments of people no matter what community there are of. All people deserve respect, proper medcial care, and to have the same rights as every other human being.  We all  can and must  be the change  you wish to see in the world. ( Ganhdi)

Thank you for checking my  special arrangement out, and please check out my other arrangements on SheetMusicPlus and my Website  @ doRaymeflute.com

 

SKU: A0.1349830

Sergei Rachmaninoff is one of my favorite composers. Vocalise is such a beautiful piece that it has been arranged for every instrument and vocal combination out there. This piece was originally written for voice and piano, without any words, but sung with just a vowel sound - most times, ah. Because there are no lyrics, Rachmaninoff left it up to the musicians and listeners to interpret it as they wished.

This arrangement is for 4 altos, bass and contrabass flutes.  There is an optional double string bass part that doubles the contrabass flute.

Duration: 6 minutes.

SKU: A0.1261527

This song by Jax has a catchy tune and fun beat.  It's a song that talks about the beauty standards that women are faced with in our everyday lives.  Having struggled with body image issues herself, Jax wrote this song that directly calls out the lingerie company, Victoria's Secret, for cashing in on body issues, selling skin and bones with big boobs. The song has been an international hit. 

This arrangement is just so that people who love the song can play it.  I will admit that it is repetitious, but it's just a catchy tune! 

Scored for low flute choir - 3 altos, bass, and contrabass flutes. There is an optional contra alto (in G) part that is a mix between the bass and contrabass flute parts. There is also an optional upright string bass part that doubles the contrabass.
  
There are 2 body percussion parts that are quite simple, but particularly important.  It's a stomp and clap (or snap).  You could also use 2 different drums, buckets, etc.  Substitute a low pitch for the stomp and a higher one for the clap. 

Duration: 3 minutes.