Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Duration: c. 4m 00s
I was contacted by conductor and friend Desmond Graham who wanted to have a traditional concert march composed to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his band; The Third Carrickfergus Band.
Immediately my mind started wandering as I thought about all the great marches that I have enjoyed playing and listening to over the years. So when I put pen to paper I had already planned out the structure of the march and which instruments to feature.
The march itself is split into two halves, the first in a minor key the second in a major key. The opening section starting loudly in F minor features stereotypical passages one would come to recognise in a traditional concert march: a cornet solo, a melodic bridging section and a robust bass solo led by the basses and trombones.
The second half of the march changes pace and mood as it lifts into a major key giving it a more lighter feel. We hear a second cornet solo which plays the second theme of the march. After a second bridge section the theme is played by the front row cornets to allow the soprano to play an obligato melody similar to that heard in marches like “Army of the Nile” and “Stars and Stripes Forever”. It all builds to a grandioso ending where the tempo drops and the final theme is played with a quick accel to the end.
As for the title? In Carrickfergus lies an old castle that faces the town which is situated on a small plot of luscious green grass – “On The Castle Green”.
Categories: New & Recent Titles, BIGGIES - Grade 6.0 Composer: Peter Graham
Grade 6.0 Duration 20.00
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”
Letter from Isaac Newton to Robert Hooke, 5 February 1676
The art of brass playing embraces a range of diverse approaches and styles. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the musical melting pot of the USA. On the Shoulders of Giants pays tribute to this diversity and to the great American brass virtuosi whose legacy has provided the foundation for countless brass giants of today.
The opening movement, Fanfares, reflects on the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra brass section. It has been suggested that the much-admired and distinctive style of the CSO Brass was initially driven by the Germanic repertoire favoured by the early music directors. Here the opening bars from the finale of Bruckner’s 8th symphony provide the departure point for the musical journey.
The work continues (attacca) with an Elegy. America’s role as the birthplace of jazz and two of her leading brass lights are remembered here – Miles Davis (through the sound world created for him by Gil Evans) – and the father of lyrical trombone playing Tommy Dorsey. In acknowledgement that jazz owes its origins to Negro spirituals, the gospel song Steal Away underpins the movement.
The finale, a Fantasie Brillante, pays homage to the turn of the century brass virtuosi of Sousa Band fame. The centrepiece of the movement finds Herbert L. Clarke, Arthur Pryor and Simone Mantia stepping from the mists of time to deliver snippets from their greatest solos (together with passing references to Sousa’s highest paid soloist, drummer August Helmecke). Moments of individual virtuosity lead to a series of ensemble power chords - giant footsteps in musical imagery - which bring the work to a dramatic conclusion.
On the Shoulders of Giants was commissioned by The Cory Band and The National Youth Brass Band of Wales with additional funding from Ty Cerdd – Music Centre Wales. The transcription for winds was made for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Wind Orchestra, conductor Nigel Boddice, and was first performed by them at the Stevenson Hall Glasgow on October 21 2011.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Helder Bettencourt
'Milhafre' Overture
Difficulty: 4
Duration: 5m 50s
This is a work in opening fanfare style. The piece is characterized by a vision of the hawk flying. During the work we can feel the wind to rip its wings, the frenzy of the hunt, the speed of the nosedive and all the splendor and beauty of a majestic bird.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Helder Bettencourt
'Milhafre' Overture
Difficulty: 4
Duration: 5m 50s
This is a work in opening fanfare style. The piece is characterized by a vision of the hawk flying. During the work we can feel the wind to rip its wings, the frenzy of the hunt, the speed of the nosedive and all the splendor and beauty of a majestic bird.
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT - Grade 2.0, New & Recent Titles Composer: Michael Oare
Grade 2.5 Duration
In July 1969, Apollo 11 completed its mission to the moon and Neil Armstrong made his famous proclamation "That's one small step..." as he stepped out onto the lunar surface. Michael Oare's descriptive work for young bands captures the drama of that moment and offers the option of using actual audio clips from the mission for a truly magical effect.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composers: Chris Dubois, Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley Arranger: Paul Murtha
Grade 2.0
From country artist Brad Paisley, this crossover hit is tailor-made for band. Brad's original recording (as well as the clever video) features a school marching band playing the chorus. Guaranteed fun!
Categories: BIGGIES - Grade 3.5, New & Recent Titles Composer: Robert Sheldon
Grade 3.5 Duration 6.04
The hot winds blowing over the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Northern Africa are called the Sirocco. This wind emanates exotic energy, creating feelings of introspection and adventure captured in the mystical messages that seem to reside in the breeze.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Feike van Tuinen
Variations based on Matona mia Cara
Difficulty: 3
Duration: 8m 40s
In 2014, Feike van Tuinen won the third prize in a composition competition organized by the Belgian music federation VLAMO, with his work Orlando. This work is based on the love song, “Matona mia cara” by the great composer Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594). Following the introduction are four variations where the composer takes us into the “conflict between two lovers” which fortunately has a happy ending. Playfully and colourfully orchestrated, this work is a nice addition to your music library.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Feike van Tuinen
Variations based on Matona mia Cara
Difficulty: 3
Duration: 8m 40s
In 2014, Feike van Tuinen won the third prize in a composition competition organized by the Belgian music federation VLAMO, with his work Orlando. This work is based on the love song, “Matona mia cara” by the great composer Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594). Following the introduction are four variations where the composer takes us into the “conflict between two lovers” which fortunately has a happy ending. Playfully and colourfully orchestrated, this work is a nice addition to your music library.
Literally “The Birds of Brazil”, this title refers to the Brazilian people. In Part 1 Passaros coloridos (Coloured Birds) an ocarina or panflute imitates an amazon bird. Part 2 Pomba Triste (Sad Dove) is in a bossa nova style, and tells of the samba girls for whom carnival is not just fun but also a source of income. Part 3 Os Passaros no Carnaval (The Birds of the Carnival) is a typical fast samba from Rio and culminates in a spontaneous melody sung by all the carnival revellers.
Literally “The Birds of Brazil”, this title refers to the Brazilian people. In Part 1 Passaros coloridos (Coloured Birds) an ocarina or panflute imitates an amazon bird. Part 2 Pomba Triste (Sad Dove) is in a bossa nova style, and tells of the samba girls for whom carnival is not just fun but also a source of income. Part 3 Os Passaros no Carnaval (The Birds of the Carnival) is a typical fast samba from Rio and culminates in a spontaneous melody sung by all the carnival revellers.
Categories: New & Recent Titles, CHRISTMAS MUSIC - Grade 4.0 Arranger: James M. Stephenson
Grade 4 Duration 4m00s
Originally conceived as a longer orchestral medley for the Omaha Symphony, this flashy overture captures the holiday spirit and unleashes it all over again with fresh harmonies and punctuating rhythms. Whether through the contrapuntal Il est né, le divin enfant, the organic and explosive Pat-a-Pan, or the spiky Good King Wenceslas, this medley with flare is intended to fill the air with Christmas joy for players and audiences alike!
Category: New & Recent Titles Arranger: Ted Rickettts
Grade 3.0
From the instantly recognized TV theme by Vic Mizzy to the clever and catchy new songs by Andrew Lippa, the new musical production brings all the creepy and kooky (and even “ooky”) fun to the Broadway stage. This entertaining medley includes
1. The Addams Family Theme,
2. When You're an Addams,
3. Move Toward the Darkness.
Category: New & Recent Titles Arranger: Ted Ricketts
From the instantly recognized TV theme by Vic Mizzy to the clever and catchy new songs by Andrew Lippa, the new musical production brings all the creepy and kooky (and even “ooky”) fun to the Broadway stage. This entertaining medley includes The Addams Family Theme, When You're an Addams, and Move Toward the Darkness.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Samuel R. Hazo
Grade 5.00
Duration 5.45
Combining brash and aggressive rhythmic figures along with more gentle moments and inventive textures, this impressive work by Samuel Hazo is truly a standout for advanced bands. The piece is built around a four-note motif, which is developed and expanded throughout. A middle section features more of a jazzy flavor with saxes in the spotlight accompanied by finger snaps. The rhythmic intensity returns, building towards a glorious full ensemble affirmation and bringing this exciting work to a powerful conclusion.
Category: New & Recent Titles Arranger: Paul Murtha
Grade 3.0
From the iTunes hit list to the dance floor, here is a tuneful and upbeat medley of some of the hottest dance hits today. Includes: 01. Moves Like Jagger, 02. Good Time, 03. Party Rock Anthem.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer / arranger: Clark McAlister
For orchestral winds and percussion with optional saxes, this four movement symphony is a passionate, dramatic celebration of the Russian Orthodox Easter Festival on an expansive scale, employing authentic devotional material in a score of enormous sweep and power. The most important work yet by this master of wind writing.