SKU: A0.723171

In 1817, James Hewitt set Francis Scott Key's poem The Defence of Fort M'Henry (which we now better know as The Star Spangled Banner).  Hewitt's original song gained some local popularity; however, throughout most of the country, people began singing the poet's words to a popular drinking song then known to many Americans, English composer John Stafford Smith's To Anacreon in Heaven (originally written for a popular gentleman's club of amateur musicians in London, the Anacreontic Society).  Whereas John Stafford Smith's music was borrowed for the poem, Hewitt's music was especially composed for the poem.  I was asked by Mitch Sturman, the band director of the Wilson Junior High School Warrior Band in El Centro, California, to arrange the original piano music for his band to play at his annual spring Concert of Premieres where he presented new works he had commissioned for his band from well-known band composers, and arrangements of neglected works he felt were worthy of performance.  This was one of those neglected worthy pieces by an American composer for an American poem.  It is orchestrated for flute, oboe, clarinets 1-3, bass clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, bassoon, French horn, trumpets 1-2, baritone horn, trombone, tuba, timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, and glockenspiel. .

SKU: A0.1286833

Turn back the clock to the heyday of European disco with this fantastic megamix of songs from German sensations, Boney M, which reached the top ten in many countries in 1992. Featuring the massive hits Rivers of Babylon, Sunny, Daddy Cool, Rasputin and Ma Baker, this chart is sure to conjure up lots of memories and maybe even get your audience up dancing!

SKU: A0.1030888

Written by internationally renowned, Chicago-based composer, James M. Stephenson stephensonmusic.com Jim@Stephensonmusic.com Product info: http://stephensonmusic.com/product/rhythms-of-the-spirit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.stephenson.946 Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComposerJim YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JimmyThird/featured Duration: 9' Commissioned by and dedicated to the Grand Symphonc Winds; Matthew George, Music Director. Premiered May 2, 2013. Notes about the Music: In the spring of 2012, I was in Minnesota attending some performances, and had the fortunate opportunity of catching up with Matthew George, conductor of the Grand Symphonic Winds. Matt had given the world premiere performance of my Concerto for Brass Quintet (Dodecafecta), and has always had a major presence in the formation of new works for winds, so I was very delighted when he brought up the idea of a new work for his group. The Grand Symphonic Winds, in honor of their 25th anniversary, were looking to celebrate the influx of many international cultures which had become a significant part of the landscape in Minnesota. This immediately called out to me in musical terms, namely in the forms of rhythms and spirituality (hence the title!) The piece opens and closes with heroic and beautiful music, signifying (to me) what most cultures seem to all be saying, but in different languages: we all just want peace, harmony and love. The entire middle section is very rhythmic, using many percussion instruments found in different cultures, also represented in Minnesota: Latin America (claves, bongos), Africa (Djembe) and if possible, Southeast Asia (Dholak). And just for fun, I even spelled out Minnesota in Morse code, but this was merely for my own enjoyment! I wish to thank Matt George, for all he has done for the field of music in Wind Ensembles, and specifically to him and the Grand Symphonic Winds for entrusting to me the responsibility of composing this new work, which I truly hope finds its home in the literature. Jim Stephenson March, 2013 Instrumentation: Wind Ensemble – one per part, except: 2 tubas recommended, French Horns doubled Recommended: Rhythm percussion sit in the middle of the ensemble, or immediately in front of the conductor, where visible to audience. Percussion instruments needed: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymb. a2 Claves, Djembe, Marimba, Triangle, Vibes, Bongos (or Dholak) Xylophone, Glock., Tambourine, Sus. Cymb. (if desired, the Dholak could replace the Bongos, using high/low sounds).

SKU: A0.995513

Movin’ Thru is a fun, jazzy, bluessy shuffle tune; which is based on the 12 bar B-flat blues form. Movin' Thru could be a fun concert opener or closer! Depending on how many solos are taken the duration of this piece will vary. This piece is enjoyable for beginners as well as experience musicians. Beginners are encourage to just improvise off of the melody as well as the concert B-flat scale.
This piece focuses on unison playing and a bit of rhythmic independence. At the beginning, player II – does not need to play the rhythm exactly, but should focus on creating a round and strong sound! The director may choose to add piano tremolo’s, cymbal rolls or anything else during the �rst measure! Bars 12 and 13 need to be rhythmically accurate, chiefly for part I and part II. If part II are trumpet players they need to make sure that they take-out their harmon mute for those bars as it will give an extra punch! Feel free to watch a video of the music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K9TgeUrJjU&t=2s