SKU: A0.1171832

From the Music of Black Composers Series is this arrangement of the third movement Humor from William Grant Still's Afro-American Symphony for a brass choir of 4 B-flat trumpets, 4 horns in F, 3 trombones, euphonium and tuba. Still's Afro-American Symphony was one of the most significant classical orchestra compositions of the early 1930s to incorporate African-American folk influences. Premiered by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra at conductor Howard Hanson's notable American Music Festival, it brought the flavor of the Blues and folk music to the symphony. For Still the Blues was a distinct African-American musical contribution he incorporated into a symphonic work. As part of the early 20th Century Harlem Renaissance in New York City, the work was enthusiastically received across the USA and overseas. This brass choir arrangement of the third movement will enliven concerts with its colorful rhythms reminiscent of Gershwin and blues harmonies. Beyond brass ensemble programs feature your band or orchestra brass section on this exciting arrangement which can be paired with the additional first movement (Longing) of Still's Afro-American Symphony arranged for similar brass choir with Charles Decker Music Press.

“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. 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 Ensemble

The 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.

SKU: A0.808646

   Among the most noteworthy works by Clément Philibert Léo Delibes are two ballets, Coppélia (1870) and Sylvia (1876). Delibes based the latter on a Aminta, a play written by Torquato Tasso three centuries earlier, and it is populated by characters such as Eros, Diana, Orion, as well as Aminta and, of course, Sylvia. The third act opens in the forest with a celebration of the wine vintage, the Grand cortège de Bacchus (March and Procession of Bacchus). The March is exciting and brassy (enough so that the 1982-1986 television series, Knight Rider, used it for a musical theme!). The Procession is more song-like but ends with a big restatement of the March.
   Completed in 2012, this arrangement runs about 6 minutes, 50 seconds. The arranger, Les Smith, will be happy to provide substitute parts (for example, treble clef baritone for trombone) at no charge; contact him directly at lessmith61@bellsouth.net. For more arrangements by Les, enter Sweetwater Brass Press (without the quotation marks) in the SheetMusicPlus search box.

SKU: A0.814813

Scored for 2 Bb trumpets and 2 trombones, this sequel to the First Suite for Brass Quartet is a full grade easier and about a minute shorter, but still involves some intricate rhythmic interplay and very ambiguous tonal centers. At grade 4+, this work is within the abilities of reasonably advanced high school musicians, but would be a stretch for most middle schoolers. Duration 5:50

SKU: A0.817619

     James Alan Bland, composer of “In the Evening by the Moonlight,” was a prolific song writer.  He is said to have created the words and music for more than 600 compositions.  Born in 1854 to a free African American family in Flushing, New York, he made a name for himself as musician, composer and minstrel performer.  Among his compositions were “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers,” “In the Morning in the Bright Light” and “De Golden Wedding.”  His most famous song by far was “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,” which the State of Virginia used as its official anthem for over 50 years.

     Bland, in keeping with his persona as a minstrel, wrote the lyrics to “In the Evening by the Moonlight” in dialect.  Years passed and sensitivities changed, but the song’s poignant melody and basic sentiment survived.  Latter day recordings, such as those by Bing Crosby and the Ray Charles Singers, dropped the dialect and objectionable terms.  One of the most notable versions was by singer, pianist and civil rights activist Nina Simone, released in 1960 on the album Nina at Newport.

     This brass quintet version begins with the group instrumentally humming along under an eight-measure Horn in F introduction.   The first statement of the melody initially takes the form of a partial call-and-response between a Trombone/Horn duo and Trumpet 1, then switches to an exchange between Trumpet 1 and Tuba.  Next, the melody is repeated but in a rhythmic pattern reminiscent of the 1880 tune “Here Dem Bells”; Tuba plays counterpoint.  Third time around, the melody is presented almost exactly as Bland wrote it and as Hitchcock’s Music Store published it in 1880.  Finally, the tempo slows and the melody is presented as so many have sung it around campfires at YMCA, 4-H and other youth camps all over the country:  softly and tenderly.  The arrangement ends with a brief recapitulation of the introduction.

     There are no really difficult or tricky rhythms in this arrangement.  Trumpet 1’s highest note, which occurs in Section D, is A above its staff; Tuba’s lowest, G below the staff.  Otherwise, there are no exceptionally high or low notes.  The piece opens in the key of F major then, about halfway through, changes to G major.  Tempo opens with a suggested MM of 104, speeds up to 120, slows to 66, increases again to 122 and finally slows to 66.

     Completed in 2022, performance time runs about 4 minutes, 22 seconds. The arranger, Les Smith, will be happy to provide substitute parts (for example, treble clef baritone for trombone) at no charge.  He would also like to receive your suggestions, comments, corrections and criticisms.  Contact him directly at lessmith61@bellsouth.net.  For more arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the SheetMusicPlus or Sheet Music Direct search box.  (Also, purchase of this piece entitles you to your choice of another of his arrangements at no charge; send a copy of your purchase receipt directly to him at lessmith61@bellsouth.net.)