Full Orchestra - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.976734

Composed by Robert Myers. 20th Century,Christmas,Contemporary. Score and parts. 99 pages. WheatMyer Music #6496769. Published by WheatMyer Music (A0.976734).

CONJUNCTION interprets the convergence of Jupiter and Saturn near the end of the year 2020 as a celestial metaphor for the good news of Christ's birth in a replay of the Star of Bethlehem. Hence, its subtitle of The Christmas Star of 2020. The music, along with narration from selected Old and New Testament scriptures, delivers a message of hope amid the turmoil and chaos of current times.

It's written for smaller concert bands hungry for challenging music. Ample cues and doubling allow for flexible instrumentation while mixed meters, varying tempos and textures, and interesting solo lines provide opportunities for strong players to shine. CONJUNCTION is also available with strings for orchestra.

PROGRAM NOTES:

2020 is widely characterized for its maladies: murders, burning cities, riots, a pandemic, economic shocks, and political turmoil. For some of us, it also held personal tragedy such as my brother’s passing from COVID. But, 2020 also brought a sign of hope, namely the celestial phenomenon known as the Great Conjunction of 2020. For earth-bound observers, this was the closest approach of Jupiter and Saturn in almost 400 years as they appeared to almost touch in the early evening sky to produce the most brilliant evening star of our lifetimes. The occurrence of the event in November-December neatly coincided with the Advent season, peaking just before Christmas Day. One could hardly fail to note the parallels with the Christmas star of Matthew’s gospel which gave the conjunction its alternate name, the Christmas Star of 2020. Thus, this star spoke, to those with ears to hear, the same message the prophet Isaiah wrote about the coming Messiah, The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. This star thus served to remind us that the LORD has not rejected us; He will show His favor again; His love has not vanished; His promises have not failed; He has not forgotten to be merciful or compassionate; and we are called to remember His mighty deeds (Psalm 77). CONJUNCTION: The Christmas Star of 2020 is inspired by these particulars.

For the music, I looked to Gustav Holst’s The Planets for themes that would portray Jupiter and Saturn’s pas de deux. I selected several motives from the corresponding movements mixed and matched in sometimes easily recognized quotations and other times in heavily camouflaged derivations. An exuberant polyphonic passage recaps themes from both Jupiter and Saturn when the music resolves from uncertainty into hopefulness. While Holst’s motives provide CONJUNCTION’s foundation I also used Handel’s Messiah for transitory and climactic material. You will hear his The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light in transitions and a short trombone solo. And a re-harmonization of the opening line from For unto us a child is born brings the music to a joyous climax.

Although the music stands firmly on its own, I elected to incorporate some narrative to make the musical sentiment explicit. In a commentary on 2020’s grim events, I took adaptations of Habakkuk 1:2-4 and 2 Tim 3:1-4 and set them over Saturn’s plodding and ominous harmonies. Contrasting replies shimmer with hope as the narration melds Isaiah 9:2 and Luke 1:78-79 over another Saturn motive set against pitch sets from Jupiter’s main hymn theme. Still, it’s the music that tells the story of the Christmas Star of 2020.

Please visit my website for a complete score preview: https://wheatmyermusic.com/conjunction-the-christmas-star-of-2020

I feel somewhat guilty making claim to this music as almost all the building blocks are taken from other composers. But the end result is neither a medley, nor an arrangement, rather it is something clearly new, so I call it my own with deep respect to those giants on whose shoulders I stand.

Robert Myers
S.D.G.

Piano,Vocal,Voice - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1255098

Composed by Ross Fiddes. 21st Century,Chamber,Classical,Contemporary. Score. 25 pages. Ross Fiddes #848692. Published by Ross Fiddes (A0.1255098).

It was in the aftermath of the 2020 summer bushfires in Australia that soprano Ayse Goknur Shanala rang me from Cyprus to suggest I compose a work about climate change, a subject of concern for me.  My research for lyrics did not elicit anything I considered suitable, so I turned to Derek Dowding, a local poet, singer, actor, raconteur, and a person vitally interested in the future of humanity and of the planet.

Derek and I had worked together before – he brilliantly performed the role of Abelard in the workshopping and concert performances of my hybrid opera “Abelard and Heloise�, which, in 1997, won the supreme CONDA (City of Newcastle Drama Award)  for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Newcastle Theatre’ against some 200 other stage productions in Newcastle’s bi-centenary year.

Derek worked long and late on the lyrics for the work, producing an emotional document covering history, cause and effect.  His words produced musical responses from me which I consider react appropriately to both his words and the subject matter. I hope our listeners will agree.

For the musical treatment I had to consider that the length of the work, through-sung, 20+ minutes, required a recurrent grounding to avoid too many thematic ideas getting in the way of the words.  To that end, I created a quasi-reflective section which appears, rondo-style, quite a few times during the length of the piece.  And, for further cohesion, I built an ABA (ternary) section early to address certain word structures.  Mostly, the various sections followed the stanza structure provided by Derek, with some combinations.  My musical style is essentially melodic, but with dramatic and other episodes, be they tonal, astringent, harmonically indecisive and so on.  In building the work I was principally influenced by the impact and flow of the words.

The work is quite mammoth for both the singer and the pianist.  I was absolutely delighted that Anna Fraser again premiered a work of mine – in 2015 she marvellously premiered another major composition of mine, reviewed here:  
http://soundslikesydney.com.au/reviews/concert-review-the-man-in-the-other-roomacacia-quartetanna-fraser/19830.html

We can only hope that the new work ultimately adds to the chorus of warnings and concern about the climactic future that awaits if we continue to ignore or postpone dramatic and urgent attention to addressing the causes of climate change.

A living orb cloaked white and blue and green
Revolving and evolving, tight-hugged in orbit flight
We ride her back; dependent, fragile offspring.
Suckling all the while …but have we bonded?

A world unlike any other world we’ve seen
Gifted with Water, Air, Earth and perfect Light.
The essentials of life. Freely, these gifts she brings.
Free for all but how have we responded?

                                                                     Poem© 2020 Derek Dowding
Ross Fiddes
January 2023.

Cello,Instrumental Duet,Violin - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1305309

By Zac Efron & Zendaya. By Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Arranged by Sarah Cellobat Chaffee. Contemporary,Film/TV,Pop,Wedding. 13 pages. Sarah Cellobat Chaffee #894748. Published by Sarah Cellobat Chaffee (A0.1305309).

Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for the feature film The Greatest Showman, Rewrite The Stars is an exciting anthem in which Phillip, played by Zac Efron, works to convince his lover that they are meant to be together despite the odds against them. This catchy song was a huge hit even independently of the movie, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving a Teen Choice Award for Best Collaboration. It has also become a popular song for weddings, chosen by couples to symbolize their bright future together...so you can't go wrong having this one in your gig books! Originally written for a wedding ceremony, this Cellobat arrangement for violin and cello duet maintains the soaring melodies and exciting driving beat of the original, and it even features beautiful cello solos at the beginning and the end! Intermediate-level arrangement; this will be playable for students and sightreadable for professionals.

Sarah “Cellobat� Chaffee is an in-demand acoustic & electric cellist and string arranger. Currently, she performs with legendary rock band Aerosmith in their “Deuces Are Wild� residency show, and she is the principal cellist for the Raiders House Band, playing for a crowd of 60,000 at all of the team's home games. She also plays with many other groups including Premiere Wedding Music, Bella Electric Strings, the Femmes Of Rock, and David Perrico’s Pop Strings Orchestra. Sarah has performed and recorded with numerous other artists including Disturbed, Mötley Crüe, Celine Dion, Halsey, Michael Bublé, Sarah Brightman, and Lady A. She is the exclusive arranger for a number of award-winning wedding and event companies all across the United States, including Premiere Wedding Music, Las Vegas Music Oasis, and Impulse Strings, and she has created custom arrangements for many other ensembles all over the world. You can find her at:

http://www.cellobat.com
http://www.instagram.com/cellobat
https://www.youtube.com/@Cellobat.

Easy Piano - Level 1 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.762395

Composed by Lori Cummings. Children,Classical,Contemporary,Contest,Festival,Instructional. Score. 1 pages. Lori Cummings #6067113. Published by Lori Cummings (A0.762395).

The Swimmer is a song that is meant as an exercise to help with finger dexterity in the right hand using Middle C position.  As we exercise our fingers, feel the swimmer as she goes against the current in the stream.  Then feel the swimmer's hard work as she returns to the beginning again.  Make your strokes nice and even as you play, just like the swimmer has to swim with even strokes.  

This song has a simple bass line to add interest to the song.  It is perfect for beginner to late beginner students.  .

Brass Quintet Horn,Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1270625

Composed by Blue Apollo Music. 20th Century,21st Century,Chamber,Classical,New Age. 28 pages. George Henry Williams III #862998. Published by George Henry Williams III (A0.1270625).

The song begins with a steady rhythm, mimicking the waves of the ocean. The melody flows with the waves, mimicking the sway of the ship. The Brass Quintet creates a powerful and dramatic sound that matches the intensity of the situation. The climax of the song is marked by a triumphant horn and trumpet, signifying the ship's eventual victory over the current. Overall, the instrumental piece is a beautiful and emotional tribute to the perseverance of sailors facing difficult challenges on the open sea.

Drum Set,Drums - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1154121

By Against The Current. By Audra Mae Butts, Christina Nicola Costanza, Daniel Gow, Thomas James Schleiter, and William Ferri. Arranged by COPYDRUM. Pop. Score. 4 pages. COPYDRUM #754395. Published by COPYDRUM (A0.1154121).

Guitar,Piano,Vocal,Voice - Level 1 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.835161

Composed by Cody Weinmann. Christian,Gospel,Praise & Worship,Sacred. Score. 6 pages. Cody Weinmann #6121269. Published by Cody Weinmann (A0.835161).

About Temples of The Lord

The thought behind Temples of the Lord was to

create a song that would ultimately bring people

to the only salvation of Jesus Christ and what he did

on the cross for all of our sins, past, present, and

future.

There is a scripture in the bible talking about how

we are temples of the Lord. The song talks about

how we long to do what is in the mind of Christ, but

our flesh wars against the spirit and what we would,

we do not do (Romans 7)

There is also an aura of how much is it going to take

for us to get on our knees and get back to God. We

are all guilty of making these empty cisterns that

can hold no water, and until we are cleared and

cleaned of all of these so that God is the only being we

have left, it will be a continual fight this side of

heaven.

About the Composer:

Cody Weinmann is a composer and songwriter of many different

genres from writing lead sheets to pieces for band, choir, and 

orchestra. One cannot put him in a box. He continues to

write music especially in the Christian worship music genres to

bring the Gospel to those in the world who need it.

He is a lover of all different types of sound textures and color,

a pianist, and a writer of all things beautiful.

In the midst of the current pandemic, the lead sheet

could be really accessible for those who play piano,

guitar, or different solo instruments and sing. This way,

one could have an intimate time of worship at home.