SKU: A0.784343

1 Octave Scale Studies in 15+ keys for 4-part ensembles of like or mixed instruments

If this is your first exposure to these scale studies, you are in for a treat! Donuts, if you make a mistake!

The initial incarnation of these studies were written for trombone quartet and we would play them in the Tennessee Tech Trombone Choir with the challenge that whomever made the first mistake had to buy donuts for the rest of the ensemble. Since then I have brought that version to several clinics and warm up sessions. One time before I got to explain the title, a fellow trombone professor said, Oh, I get it! Don’t step in the holes!

I only wish I had thought of that myself... Since we have one of the best donut shops in TN here in Cookeville, treating the studio to sugar coated goodies was always my intent.

As with those initial exercises, you can vary these as much as you’d like.

·     Choose a tempo.

·     Choose a dynamic.

·     Choose an articulation/style.

One way I like to play these is to have one person be the model, playing the entire scale over and over while everyone else plays the fragmented versions. That helps everyone to keep on track and stay in time. Double or triple up the parts for ensemble cohesion with a larger group.

Practice one key, gradually speeding it up to improve fluidity, or choose a variation and take it through all keys, playing version A, B, C, or D then skipping to play the same set in a new key.

If you want an additional challenge, play them in different octaves or change the key. Play the F Major set in f minor (all forms), different modes, etc. Players really have to be on their toes to remember if they are playing melodic minor in the ascending or descending form! For jazz players, try swinging them in dorian or mixolydian modes.

The variations are endless!

If you are using these with transposing instruments, 1) is F Major in Concert Pitch, 2) is Bb Major in Concert pitch, and so on. When you reach a scale that is enharmonic for another key (Db/C#, Gb/F#, or Cb/B), they are presented in both keys for each instrument so Trumpets can play in Eb while the Flutes are playing in C# with similar examples for all keys.

All Donut Etudes with the same volume number are compatible so you can play them in mixed quartets or large ensembles with one or more instruments/people on part 1 and a different instrument on part 2, etc. Since the quartets are all identical, conductors/coaches can use any of the scores to tell which part should be playing at what time. Once you have played a scale with one set of parts, everyone can rotate to a different part and play the same scales again!

Enjoy!

SKU: A0.504055

The famous Christmas carol comes along as an easy and relaxed swinging song. It is the best choice for your upcoming Christmas concerts! Your musicians and your audience will love it! Enjoy! Instrumentation: Part I Trumpet in Bb Part II Horn in F Part II Horn in Eb Part II Trombone Part II Euphonium Part III Trombone/Tuba Part III Euphonium Part III Bass in Eb Part III Bass in Bb Listen to the video recording - a challenge for your ensemble. Please don't forget to review your purchase - you will help other musicians to choose the perfect arrangement for their ensemble. Thank you very much! Important note: All our arrangements, esp. Big Band and Concert Band arrangements are played and prooved with our own ensembles with great fun and success. Please let us know if you have any request, question or if you need transposed parts. Any individual arrangement and substitute parts are available on request. Call +49 (0) 172 2515987 - E-Mail: info@the-hit-factory.com. - www.the-hit-factory.com - facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hitfactorymusic.

SKU: A0.719580

September 11, 2001 has had a profound affect on many people, not the least of which is the composer of this work. Written the month following the tragic events of 9/11, it is a reflection of the chaotic times in which we live. Originally written for SATB chorus and strings, Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) is a prayer for peace to the loving God of all people, that out of our current discord peace and harmony may come to all humanity. In this setting a woodwind quartet plays what was originally the choral part. The work is in three sections (ABA) with a coda. Throughout these sections the melody wanders in search of a harmonious resting point. In the B section the quartet and strings part ways and resonate increased dissonance. The second A section exactly duplicates the first. The work concludes with an ever-increasing sense of harmonious repose. The listener may hear occasional reflections of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings or Pavane for a Dead Princess by Maurice Ravel. Dona Nobis Pacem was premiered as a choral work in May 2003 by the combined choirs of the John Duss Music Conservatory, Duluth MN, and Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Superior WI, under the direction of the composer. It is purely coincidental that there are 191 measures in the work......the numbers in the date of 9/11. Contains full score and parts.