SKU: A0.792723

Petros Shoujounian, Armenian/Canadian composer has written Twelve Duos for Tubas based on the folksong collection of the Armenian priest Komitas, known as the founder of the Armenian national school of music and one of the pioneers of ethnomusicology. Below are comments from the composer about his inspiration in writing these Twelve Duos for Tubas.

My interest in the collected works of Komitas's ethnographical songs was aroused when I was introduced to Bela Bartok's similar works followed by Alan Hovhaness's huge creative world. Bartok completed his project having at his disposal a large collection of ethnographic music, while Hovhannes studied the wealth of Komitas's music with great interest. It is difficult to say to what extent the Armenian underpinning of Hovhannes's works are nurtured by Komitas's musical world, but his classical interpretation of the Armenian ethnographical music created a huge interest in the listener. Needless to say, there is also Aram Katchaturian's legacy, which at its core has the ardent presence of the Armenian spirit, nurtured by Komitas's very existence.

Komitas has left a collection of about 3,000 cleaned versions of ethnographic song and dance pieces, of which 1,700 has reaches us, about 400 of which have been activated. I believe that in those beautiful musical fragments reside the power to be revived, once we enrich them with colorful musical instruments and unbounded polyphonic imagination.

This is the motivation behind my own work and these Twelve Duos for Tubas: to make the essence of our ethnographic music accessible through Komitas.

These Twelve Duos are appropriate for advanced performers and may be performed on C Tuba, F Tuba and the larger B-flat Bass Tubas.

SKU: A0.1489490

Three of these seven short pieces are worthy to open any brass quintet concert or recital.  Two fanfares are too short for a concert feature but work extremely well in a ceremony or celebratory setting.  The last two short pieces aptly serve contrasting special purposes, as explained below.

“Fort Pierre Fanfare” is about 40 seconds in duration, and was composed to open the feature concert at the South Dakota Bandmasters Association convention in 2022.  Offutt Brass, from the US Air Force Heartland of America Band, was invited to perform that concert.  Before the final piece of the concert, when gifts were exchanged between the sponsor and performers, beautiful presentation copies of the sheet music were presented to the sponsor.  In performance, staging directions on the music can be extremely effective or cringy, depending on how they are conveyed.  If there is any inkling that there may be a cringe factor, ignore them, and play the fanfare already on stage.

“Enduring Freedom Fanfare” is nearly a minute of music.  It was composed as a gift for the outgoing Commander of the US Air Force Heritage of America Band, Major Rafael Toro-Quiñones.  His leadership was strong and inspiring, and he held a place of high esteem among many of the fine military musicians that he led.  The Change of Command ceremony was toward the end of the Covid-19 shut-downs, so the work was not performed at the ceremony.  Chief Remley, from the command’s satellite location in Nebraska, hand-delivered some finely printed presentation copies to Major Toro-Quiñones.

“Noble Eagle Fanfare” is slightly over a minute in length, and, like “Enduring Freedom Fanfare,” was composed as a gift for another outgoing Commander of the US Air Force Heritage of America Band, Captain David Neil Regner.

“Pilgrims’ Fanfare” was composed on what many Americans acknowledge as “Pioneer Day,” 24 July 2023.  Not only honoring the thousands of pioneers that settled the western United States, but also the pilgrims that voyaged across the ocean to settle in the new continent.  It is about 15 seconds in duration and is effective for any occasion in need of a magnificent fanfare.

“Flightline Fanfare,” as its title implies, was composed for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the dedication of the newly renovated flightline at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.  Unfortunately, the ceremony itself was altered last-minute, and the 15-second fanfare was not used.  However, like “Pilgrims’ Fanfare,” it is very handy for any event demanding a splash of pomp.

“American Interlude” is a soft 75-second underscore for an MC’s moving speech or dedication.  It was originally composed as a smooth segue between two moving patriotic pieces of different keys in a concert setting, but can be used in any similar appropriate situation.

“Troop 184” is dedicated to my childhood BSA Scoutmaster, Gerry Nielson, who molded me in significant ways into the man I am decades later.  It is functional music, akin to a fight song, and can be easily marched to.  Words may be crafted as a customized hiking ditty, or it can be featured before or after ceremonies as prelude or processional music.  The duration can also be customized, as there is a written optional repeat, lengthening the tune from 45 seconds to a minute and a half.

SKU: A0.722732

Bugle Call Rag Composed by Carey Morgan and Eubie Blake
Arranged by Jari Villanueva

Score
2 Trumpets in Bb
Horn in F
Trombone
Tuba
Optional Drum Set
Eb Alto Horn Substitute part for Horn in F
Treble Clef Baritone Substitute part for Trombone

James Hubert Eubie Blake (1887-1983) Blake was born in Baltimore to former slaves, and the only child of 11 that would survive to adulthood. The young Eubie taught himself the organ after his parents put a $75 organ in their home for 25 cents per week (which would take them almost 6 years to pay off). By the age of 15 was playing piano in Baltimore's night clubs, holding a regular job at Agnes Shelton's sporting house. Blake was already an exceptional pianist by the early 1900's, and he had to simplify his music drastically to get it published. Blake was among the pioneers of ragtime, however he was often too far ahead of his time. He released two rags (Charleston Rag and his Baltimore Buzz) in the same year which Scott Joplin released his Maple Leaf Rag. Unfortunately for Blake, the competition was too strong. Part of the reason for Blake's Charleston Rag and his Baltimore Buzz not making the big time may have been due to Blake the progressive nature of his sound. People found it hard to digest his music, especially the publishers.

Bugle Call Rag was composed in 1916 with Carey Morgan. It was one of many patriotic selections written by composers during the World War I era. This delightful piece uses bugle calls and quotes There’ll Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight.

A retired member of the United States Air Force Band where he served on the Music Production staff (as well as a trumpeter and bugler) and a student of Bill Holcombe, Jari Villanueva continues writing for different ensembles. His arrangements are played by brass quintets all over the country including many military groups. Many of his arrangements can be found on Sheet Music Plus and JV MUSIC.

Jari is a 2016 Sheet Music Plus Arranging Contest winner and winner of the 2016 Holiday Arranging Contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMUSMQhI-lE

SKU: IZ.CBS164-S

9 x 12 in inches.

Picture Pennsylvania's natural beauty as it was seen by the pioneers: a misty morning, vast expanses of tree-filled
wilderness, the seemingly endless Allegheny River stretching far into the distance. A river meant water for
livestock and agriculture, and the possibility of navigating the waterway for commerce. The energetic main theme
depicts these sturdy settlers' aspirations and explorations. But the solemnity gives way to the merry fiddle tune of a
barn dance. Awistful waltz in a minor mode contrasts their hardship and loneliness. The main theme returns a new
key, signifying determination and confidence. The piece ends as it began, with a query expressed by the violins,
pondering what the future may hold.

SKU: IZ.OMS153

9 x 12 in inches.

Picture Pennsylvania's natural beauty as it was seen by the pioneers: a misty morning, vast expanses of tree-filled
wilderness, the seemingly endless Allegheny River stretching far into the distance. A river meant water for
livestock and agriculture, and the possibility of navigating the waterway for commerce. The energetic main theme
depicts these sturdy settlers' aspirations and explorations. But the solemnity gives way to the merry fiddle tune of a
barn dance. A wistful waltz in a minor mode contrasts their hardship and loneliness. The main theme returns a new
key, signifying determination and confidence. The piece ends as it began, with a query expressed by the violins,
pondering what the future may hold.

SKU: IZ.CBS164

9 x 12 in inches.

Picture Pennsylvania's natural beauty as it was seen by the pioneers: a misty morning, vast expanses of tree-filled
wilderness, the seemingly endless Allegheny River stretching far into the distance. A river meant water for
livestock and agriculture, and the possibility of navigating the waterway for commerce. The energetic main theme
depicts these sturdy settlers' aspirations and explorations. But the solemnity gives way to the merry fiddle tune of a
barn dance. Awistful waltz in a minor mode contrasts their hardship and loneliness. The main theme returns a new
key, signifying determination and confidence. The piece ends as it began, with a query expressed by the violins,
pondering what the future may hold.