Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: David Holsinger
Grade 3.0
About the Music...
I have wonderful memories of growing up in the fifties in rural America. Being among the first families in our farm community to own a television, our house was a center of gatherings as friends dropped in to “watch” the world in our living room. As a seven year old, I vividly remember dozens of neighbors congregating every evening during the 1951 political conventions to see Eisenhower and Stephenson accept the nominations of theft respective parties for the coming presidential elections. My Grandfather would reminisce about being at the train depot as a boy with his family, together with hundreds of townsfolk, awaiting the latest election results coming over the telegraph. My father’s friends shared recollections of election announcements in the early years of the radio.
Ah, the radio . . . With TV still in its infancy, the radio still held the reins to my imagination, for it was here that in the early fifties, I was first introduced to the great detectives like Charlie Chan, Sherlock Holmes, Boston Blackie, not to mention those masked and shadowy crimefighters who had the added attraction of a clandestine identity to hide behind! As I listened to their weekly adventures, I’m sure I dreamed the dream of all overimaginative adolescents: Mild mannered farm boy by day, super empowered mystery crimefighter by night!
Well, I still like to listen to tapes of old radio shows, read great mystery books, rent a suspenseful movie occasionally, and let my overactive imagination think about. . . being a diaphanous nocturnal crimefighter? No . . . Actually nowadays, I’m more interested in writing their background action music!
D.RH.
Categories: New & Recent Titles, MUSIC from the MOVIES - Grade 3.0 Composer: Paul McCartney Arranger: Paul Murtha
Grade: 3.0
Of all the James Bond movies through the years, Live and Let Die, recorded by Paul McCartney and Wings, provided one of the most dynamic and powerful theme songs. Mixing a variety of styles from pop ballad, reggae, to driving rock, this explosive arrangement will light up any concert stage.
Categories: New & Recent Titles, MusicWorks Grade 4, FINISHER - Grade 4.0 Composer: Robert Buckley
Grade 4.0 Duration 2:50
LOL (Laugh Out Loud) is a wacky, fast-and-furious barn-burner reminiscent of a circus march or “screamer.” It was written for the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy in celebration of their 75th anniversary andas an opportunity to display their dazzling technical facility and humor. Cartoon-like trombone glissandi, flying woodwinds, dizzying brass and laughing rhythms create a zany and thrilling off the wall highlight to any occasion.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Nigel Hess
The London Eye is an incredibly large rotating wheel situated on the South Bank of the River Thames. This movement depicts a ‘flight’ on this riverside wheel, at the top of which the panoramic view of London is breath-taking and the expanse of the music is a suitable depiction of that view. This piece is the second movement of Nigel Hess’s New London Pictures which represents elements of London in the 21st Century.
Longthorpe Tower was a medieval castle of the Thorpe family and contains some of the most well-preserved and complete medieval wall paintings in Northern Europe. This piece represents the music of this period in English history.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer / arranger: William Sweeney
For Wind Ensemble
Lost Mountain was commissioned by the Inverness Wind Ensemble together with Lochaber High School Concert Band in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden, although the work commemorates more the aftermath of that battle and its long-lasting effects on the people of the Scottish Highlands and Islands rather than any celebrations of the martial arts. The title is borrowed from the poem of the same name by Sorley MacLean, written after the second world war. In it, the poet laments the despoilation of the landscapes of his youth on the island of Raasay during that war as a potential symbol of the wider human losses of those years.
Categories: MARCHES - Grade 1.5, New & Recent Titles Composer: JaRod Hall
Grade 1.5 Duration 2.15
This unique work follows a young group of friends in search of adventure in a nearby forest late at night. Once inside, the trees around them begin to stretch and seal off the entrance. Trapped inside, they must find a way out... Incredibly colorful and engaging music that is certain to be a highlight of your program. (2:15)
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Howard Goodall Arranger: Wheeler
One of Howard Goodall’s most popular choral settings, Love Divine has been skilfully arranged for wind band by Alastair Wheeler, with the approval of the composer. This version is based on the setting with piano and strings and can be performed as a self-standing concert work or as an accompaniment for performance by a large choir.
Categories: New & Recent Titles, Solos for Alto Sax Arranger: Gilbert Tinner
Grade 3.0
"Ive been arguably credited with having written some 300 songs, 299 of which enjoyed a rather bumpy ride from relative obscurity to total oblivion. Heres the other one." These are the words of the great Jazz pianist and composer George Shearing about his hit of the century Lullaby of Birdland. The list of famous artists who performed this Jazz standard runs from From Ella Fitzgerald to Amy Winehouse. Gilbert Tinner wrote this arrangement for Concert Band preserving the distinctive George Shearing Sound.
Categories: New & Recent Titles, SLOW TUNES - Grade 2.5 Composer: Brian Balmages
Grade 2.5 Duration 5.0
Many fictional works portray the moon as a living being, alone in space looking at the Earth. This lullaby honors this "living moon," portraying various emotions including the loneliness of seeing us from space. It also includes moments of comfort as the moon proudly watches over us, much as a parent watches over a child. Simply stunning, whether you have a grade 2 or a grade 6 ensemble.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Steve Bryant
Grade 3 Duration 5:00
The Machine Awakes is the sound of something not human (but of humans hands) – something not entirely organic, but most definitely alive – waking up for the first time. From the opening swirling textures, we sense the first hesitant sparks of thought, attempting to find form and coherence. This new machine comes fully awake, possessed of emphatic self-determination and purpose. The Machine Awakes gives ensembles with a wide range of technical ability the opportunity to experience the meshed sound world of electronic sounds and acoustic instruments. The set comes with optional parts for more advanced players.
Made famous by the Muppets, but also recorded by a number of contemporary artists (including rock group Cake) this clever tune is sure to raise a smile. Arranged here in a straight 8th Latin style (rather than swing) the melody is cleverly passed from section to section. Sure to be a fun piece for your students.
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