SKU: A0.1432026

Orchestraining is a cycle of orchestral studies, each focusing on different aspects of performance. These studies are specifically designed for non-professional orchestras, although any orchestra will improve by playing some of these pieces during rehearsals. It is always necessary to pay attention to intonation and many other aspects of orchestral performance.

In addition, these studies are also useful for orchestral conducting students. For example, it is essential to know how to conduct a simultaneous attack of a chord that does not begin on the first beat, but a eighth note after the third beat.

I began writing these studies around 2013, when I took over the direction of the Bremer Orchestergemeinschaft and noticed the complete absence of repertoire of this kind. As a pianist, I am accustomed to studies by Carl Czerny or playing scales. Each individual instrumentalist knows studies of technique for their instrument. However, there are no, or at least I am not aware of, similar studies for orchestral performance technique and the specific difficulties of ensemble playing that it requires. The cycle Orchestraining aims to fill this gap.

The fourth etude focuses on dynamics: crescendi and diminuendi, exploring the extremes forte vs piano and gradually changing from one to the other one.

SKU: S9.Q54875

English.

A special method for beginners. First published by Schott in German in 1990. The translation and adaption into English has been made by Peter Bowman. three Volumes for the descant recorder which advance in small steps and include many playful elements suitable for both group and individual lessons. • Discover the adventure of learning the recorder • Make real progress through games: breathing • A mixture of lively new and traditional tunes • Three supplementery tune books each with a sheet of stickers • Teacher's commentary • Join Dotty-do-a-lot and her friends in the exciting orld of music Fun and Games with the Recorder is a comprehensive recorder tutor covering all stages from the first notes of the beginner up to the point of preofessional instruction for budding performers. Although the recorder is often the instrument with wich children will make their first musical discoveries, it is also an instrument of the highest artistic merit. This series of books tries to link these two extremes, providing a carefully planned pathway between first, playful contact with the instrument and professional recorder playing. The three Tutor Books are suitable for use both with small groups and for individual tuition. Progress is methodical and is made in small steps placing great value on consistent work with breathing, sound production and the development of rhythmic security. In the Tutor books we speak directly to the child and provide carefully planned, precisely formulated exercises. We recognise that some children learning the recorder will not yet be able to read, but hope that this will provide an opportunity for a parent or teacher to become involved in the learning process. Each step in this process should be fun and accessable to both the parent/teacher and the child. Tutor Book 1 is intended for children from about six years of age. Previous musical experience is not essential but undoubtedly would prove useful. It concentrates on the notes B, A, g, E1, C2 and D2, leaving sufficient time and space for the development of articulation, rhythmic security and breathing techniques. Tutor Book 2 adds the notes C1, D2, F2, E2, F2 and B flat, whilst Tutor Book 3 completes the range up to C3 - at which point the treble recorder can be introduced. Tutor Books 1, 2 and 3 are complemented by Tune Books 1, 2 and 3. The tune Books are matched to the stages of learning process of the Tutor Books and provide additional practice pieces and exercises, sometimes with accompainment. In the Teacher's Commentary we explain the teaching methodology behind the tutor and provide stimulation for ideas for lessons. It will be helpful if the child has a manuscript book of her or his own, or some manuscript book. Dotty's Note Book (ED 12641) is specially designed for the purpose, with large staves suitable for children as well as plain pages for words and pictures. We wish users of this tutor every success and happiness with their recorder playing.

SKU: A0.755023

Legacy is a three movement composition that makes social commentary on the issue of global warming. It was commission and premiered by the Washington Sinfonietta, Rufus Jones, conductor, and later transcribed by the composer for quartet for the chamber music group, enhaké. I. Conflicts - This movement begins with a cry from native cultures admonishing our neglect of the environment. The cry is interspersed with debate regarding the seriousness of global warming. The debate grows stronger as the cries grow weaker. The debate is quieted by a measure of repeated chords that could be the words, stop it! stop it now!. A weak cry in the clarinet brings the introduction to a close. An Allegro section follows with a rhythmic and primitive sounding section representing the underdeveloped nations that are destroying the rain forests for economic gain. This material evolves into a more harmonic and contrapuntal section representing industrialized nations reluctant to change, also for economic reasons. Things quiet down as the music takes the listener to another part of the globe, East Asia. Conflict is again present in this section. The music returns to a varied restatement of the industrialized nations music before traveling to India for a section influenced by Raga. This section builds in dissonance until we hear the repeated stop it now chords from the introduction. A brief reprise of the cries bring the movement to a close. II. Consequences - This movement evokes a somber mood that is reflective of living in a climate of extremes. The movement is in arch form as it begins and ends with open harmony reflective of barren lands that once were fertile. The middle section serves as a climax expressive the harshness of the climate. Colleen McCollough’s book, A Creed for the Third Millennium was a source of inspiration for this movement. III. Sacrifice and Compromise - The movement begins with a strong section that suggests progress. It is followed by a quieter and intense section that alternates lyrical lines over a staccato ostinato that creates a sense of urgency. The opening section returns and is followed by a development of the ostinato section. This section is symbolic of how ideas need to be adapted in order for progress to be made. The opening section returns once more before leading into the concluding section where there is coming together of the instruments on a long lyrical line representing more and more people working together for change. The movement ends with a sense of triumph over adversity. Legacy has been recorded by enhaké on the Emeritus Recordings CD Legacy.

SKU: C6.636022305

This thoughtful song, set in a minor key, has a hauntingly beautiful sound, especially when performed with the optional 2nd part. An important truth, especially for children, the message of the song is carried along in middle range singing without wide extremes.

SKU: A0.1039200

This piece is the mindset of an individual who, after being sheltered amidst the justified fears of a global pandemic, begins to feel the effects of not being able to actively work or be around others. This causes the individual to hallucinate extremes of the new “normal� that comes after. The tempo of the piece is ranged because the most optimal effect is a bending of tempos (in an agreed upon setting of individual ensembles and their leaders), which also is reflected in dramatic trombone bends. The melody jumps in segments, with each part becoming one of the many voices haunting the crazed individual. The middle of this piece moves into D major, where the individual starts to make sense of the voices and begins escaping the reality they are in. Of course, euphoria comes in waves, so the individual is pulled back into their shelter and has to accept this reality yet another day. Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat......

SKU: A0.784652

Regnum Pacis... The Reign of Peace
A choral setting of the Isaiah 11 text: There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots... Then shall the lion dwell with the lamb, then the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the wolf and the lion cub together, with a little child to lead them...
Contemplative, with rich harmonies, quiet, but ultimately hopeful, as the season of Advent itself. You will find this this piece fits perfectly in worship services of lessons and carols, as well as Advent, and Christmas season services and concerts. Accessible to a good high school, college/university, or church mixed choir. The piano part is challenging, but not difficult.
Soprano splits occasionally, otherwise, solid four part writing; lyrical melodies, lush harmonies, but no extremes in range. 
Please check for more piano music, sacred and secular choral and vocal selections at pftmusic.com.

SKU: IZ.CBW236

9 x 12 inches.

Manifesto is my first major work for the wind band medium. The Webster's Dictionary defines a manifesto as, “a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer. With that being acknowledged, Manifesto was intended to be my way of making a statement as to how I would like to express myself through the wind band medium–with great extremes of emotions.

The first section of this piece opens with a contra-alto clarinet solo which makes its opening statement that is rephrased all throughout the piece with each new development. The percussion in this piece also takes inspiration from complex rhythmic layers and polyrhythms. It is acknowledged that this piece will be especially difficult for the percussion section attempting to play these polyrhythms in context; however, twice in the opening section, all the percussion hit together finishing a phrase on beat one making the confusion clear (essentially enforcing the fact that all the “noise was intentional).