With his charismatic style and polished interpretations Frank Sinatra put his unique stamp on a number of familiar standards. This effective medley for band features some of his best-known hits. Includes: Come Fly with Me Witchcraft That's Life and Fly Me to the Moon.

For over 60 years the life and music of Frank Sinatra touched millions with many of America's most popular songs forever connected with his indelible style. Here are several of his most notable hits captured brilliantly for bandby John Moss. Includes: I've Got You Under My Skin Strangers In The Night That's Life and The Lady Is A Tramp.

The world premiere of the musical Elisabeth took place in Vienna on September 3 1992. From the great acclaim with which the musical was received it became clear that the life of the Empress of Austria still appeals to the imagination. Although Elisabeth's life (1837-1898) as an Empress has a fairy-tale-like beginning it takes a gloomy turn. In this production Luigi Lucheni the man who finally takes her life tells her story. Death plays a major role throughout Elisabeth's life. In the musical an equally mysterious and attractive man portrays the phenomenon of death seducing her to the realm of death time after time. Elisabeth's life resembles a fairy tale when shemarries the Emperor Franz Joseph at the age of sixteen. Her mother-in-law Archduchess Sophie does not make it easy on Elisabeth. But it is life itself that puts the Empress to the test. First her youngest daughter dies. Then not long after her son Rudolf is born her happiness is clouded when her mother-in-law decides she must take pity on him. After her husband's unfaithfulness and Sophie's death Elisabeth is so disillusioned that she chooses a travelling existence without realizing her husband and her son Rudolf miss her. Rudolf's loneliness is one of the reasons he commits suicide. The accumulation of disappointments in Elisabeth's life almost drives her into the arms of Death. In the end however it is Lucheni who kills her.

Quelle est cette odeur agreable-‘Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?’ is the first line of an old French Christmas song that originated in the 17th century. In 1728 John Gay used this joyous and markedly festive melody that honours Jesus Christ and His miraculous birth in his Beggar’s Opera. Philip Sparke has given this melody a new lease of life with his charming and imaginative arrangement for the Christmas season.

David Well composed 'Frida's Whiskers' in commemoration of his own cat who met an untimely end. Frida (whose real name was 'Godefrida van Coopersburg thoe Nieuwenhuys') was a lively creature who led a playful and uncomplicated life. She used to sleep in her basket for hours but when she woke up she upset the entire house and its furnishing. Curtains were inspected from top to bottom and flower pots fell from window-sills just like that! Outside in the open air she was in her element. She used to frolic bouncing into the air. After such playful moods she would return to her basket tired but satisfied where being the cleanly cat that shewas she subjected her entire body whiskers included to a thorough wash.

The recent passing of pop icon David Bowie led to a wave of sadness and disbelief worldwide. Bowie's music and personality influenced the music industry internationally over several decades. His thought provoking experiments and continuous search for innovation made him a respected figure around the world. This song Life on Mars is one of the hits that made Bowie immortal.

Composer Chris Brubeck wrote Ghost Walk as part of his BandQuest residency at West Rocks Middle School in Connecticut. The piece combines Brubeck's lifelong experiences with both jazz and classical idioms creating a workthat's as fun to play as it is to hear. The title was inspired by the wedding of Brubeck's son at Gettysburg College which hosts a “ghost walk ” as well as the minor mode and haunting atmosphere of the piece. (Grade3.5) Dur: 3:10

Score-'Down the moving line suddenly came the surging chant:Chi Rho Omega Lambda Chi!We meet tonight to celebrateThe Omega Lambda Chi!'''Omega Lambda Chi' was a fictitious fraternity created by some Yale sophomores in the 1870's. Freshmen were pledged to a non-existent society so they would buy the sophomores cigars and drinks. By the 1880's the name 'Omega Lambda Chi' had become applied to a wild May night of campus festivities. Classes paraded (sometimes with a band) singing shooting firecrackers and cheering the buildings of the Old Campus. Climaxing the rough and tumble evening was the 'Pass of Thermopolae.' In this brutal affair theFreshman class ran the gauntlet through the large stone Phelps Gateway while receiving the blows of the three upper classes. March: Omega Lambda Chi was probably written during Ives' Christmas vacation in 1895 and completed upon his return to school. It bears the title 'March on the air: Omega Lambda Chi 76 South Middle Campus January 4 1896.' The Yale Daily News reports that the ceremony took place that spring (May 18 1896) and that one of Ives' best friends D. C. Twitchell (later his brother-in-law) was one of the Omega Lambda Chi marshals. By 1900 the Omega Lambda Chi had become too dangerous and was outlawed by the faculty. Another Ives composition which was inspired by a Yale festive evening is Calcium Light Night.Charles Ives was a Yale student from 1894-1898. He was a popular figure on campus and was very active in social athletic and musical life. In 1928 Ives made a list of his band music on the back of one of his insurance company calendars. At least ten original band works are thought to have existed; there are numerous others that were band inspired. Only March: Omega Lambda Chi and March: Intercollegiate have been found complete in their band form. The tune 'Omega Lambda Chi' is derived from 'Sailing sailing' found in the first strain. The second strain and trio

Based on the codices of Leonardo da Vinci-Leonardo by Otto M. Schwarz is an 11-minute work for Concert Band based on the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci.Born in Italy in 1452 da Vinci was a polymath of the Renaissance period whose interests included astronomy philosophy science and mathematics as well as the visual arts. He is considered one of the greatest painters of all time - who does not know of his famous ‘Mona Lisa’ or ‘The Last Supper’?Inspired by da Vinci's notebooks or codices this composition takes the listener on a journey through the artist's incredible career. Through his music Schwarz brings da Vinci back to life. The listener will beable to sense the passion and the urge for innovation that set da Vinci apart as one of the most remarkable thinkers of the 16th century.This set includes a score and parts.

Asteroids and comets have played an important role throughout the history of life on earth. It is quite probable that the dinosaurs have been exterminated by an asteroid's impact in the Gulf of Mexico. Huge tidal waves and fire storms wiped out all life. This is the year 2067 according to the Christian calendar. A collision has just taken place in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and caused an asteroid to enter the earth's power of gravitation. It is instoppably approaching the blue planet. As its peoples have been fighting each other continuously they missed the building of a global defence system against dangers coming from space. A scanner records the asteroid andimmediately sends a message to the President of the Anglo-American Union. The probability that the asteroid will hit the earth is judged 50% by the experts. Plans are made to shoot the celestial body with rockets live with hydrogen bombs or laser guns in order to throw it off its track but they fail. The asteroid's size seems to threaten the existence of mankind. Those in the know stare at the night sky in bewilderment. But for the time being there is still peace on earth....

In Scotland the monster of Loch Ness is a hot issue but the American state of Montana enjoys a comparable phenomenon going by the name of Montana Nessie. In the western part of this remote state lies Flathead Lake: a lake of 45 kilometres /38miles in lenght and 24 kilometres /15 miles breath. At several places its depth exeeds 100 metres.Nessies discovery takes us back to the year 1889 when captain James Kerr aboard the passengership U.S.Grant was startled by a ship unknown to himsuddenly approaching his vessel across Flathead Lake. However it turned out not to be a ship but an undefinable animal of immense size.From that moment onwards life would never be the same again in and around Flathead Lake.The composer wasinspired by the story and summarized the events into a symphonic poem but from a surprising angle:that of the monster. The exiting opening allows us to follow the monster in its natural surroundings.The fast follow-up movement depictsMontana Nessie trotting and frolicking about the Montana woods and prairies.From its abode it thorougly enjoys everything around it. This period abruptly ends in a short climax (Chimes). The solo for cor anglais marks a new period in themonsters life.The presence of people has a paralizing effect and the apprehensive atmosphere of the slow movement may be felt profoundly.The monster observes and mildly teases the ship. Abhor sounds force the ship to a withdrawal.The movingmusical continuation depicts the triumphant monster dancing an ironic waltz. The monsters fear and anger at the intrusion of his freedom run through the piece like continuous threads and develop into the works final theme.

Based on the poems by German poet Carl Hauptmann (late Romanticism) and the English poet William Wordsworth (early Romanticism). Carl Hauptmann was in poor health as a child but highly intelligent. He studied philosophy psychology and biology. In the latter he was admitted to the degree of doctor. His marriage provided financial independence so that he could focus on his studies. Hauptmann wrote various novels plays poetry and scientific works. Night Twilight floats above the valley's night mists are hanging there's a whispering brook. Now the covering veil is lifting quite: come and look! See the magicland before our gaze: tall as dreams the silver mountains stand crossed by silent silver paths shining from a secret land. Noble pure the dreaming country sleeps. By the path the shadow black and hogh of a beach. a wisp of a white smoke creeps to the dark'ning sky. Where the valley is the darkest hued countless little lights shine silently. O my soul! Drink of solitude! Carl Hauptmann Wordsworth 'introduced' a new type of poetry based on the speech of the common man. This was his answer to the poetry of the classicism which was bound by rigid rules. His definition of poetry was: the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings from emotions recollected in tranquility. My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky: So was it when my life began. So is it now I am a man. So be it when I shall grow old Or let me die! The Child is father of the Man. And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety. William Wordsworth In a truly poetic manner Harrie Janssen has transformed the contemplative thoughts of the poets into two compositions for Concert Band.

Arr. Timothy Johnson. Par MOZART WOLFGANG AMADEUS. 'Melody is the very essence of music. ' -W. A. Mozart (1786)Mozart confirmed this view on melody by writing the Ave Verum Corpus near theend of his short life. Originally written for chorus, strings, and organ, this work standsamong the most beautiful musical expressions of all time. Timothy Johnson has skillfullymade Mozart's wondrous achievement available to concert bands. It's perfect forworship services and the sostenuto style, with careful attention to dynamics, makesit a great choice for that 'middle' spot at festival or for the more serious moment atany performance. Given the opportunity, young bands LOVE to play truly greatmusic, and it just doesn't getmuch better than the mastery of Mozart. / Niveau : 2 / Répertoire / Concert Band

The Last Queen of Egypt. Queen Cleopatra ruled Egypt for over 20 years. She is one of antiquity?s best-known women, in particular because of her relationships with Julius Caesar and, above all, Mark-Anthony, but also because the cause of her death remains a mystery. The work is split into three parts and performed without breaks. The first section begins with a bright introduction representing Mark-Anthony. Dynamic in nature and reminiscent of military music, this characterises the Roman general. But soon after, another theme emerges, softer and more melodic, symbolising Cleopatra?s femininity. The two characters then combine on a faster tempo. The middle section of the work depicts the love that Mark-Anthony and Cleopatra feel for each other. This passionate relationship lasted ten years and produced three children. This is expressed by a warm and intense theme, just like the beauty of the Egyptian queen. The third and last section opens in a determined and military mood. Mark-Anthony and Cleopatra were often apart, the Roman general was often away on a campaign. They met up in Alexandria to celebrate their triumph. But, as the targets of the jealousy and ambition of Octavius, Julius Caesar?s son, the lovers are trapped and await the inevitable conquest of Egypt by the Romans. When Mark-Anthony heard the false news that Cleopatra had committed suicide, he ended his own life. The Queen of Egypt, for her part, was imprisoned shortly afterwards. The two lovers remain one of History?s most famous couples. This piece was commissioned by the Wind Orchestra of the town of Antony, near Paris, directed by Philippe Rossignol, to mark its 90th anniversary.

John Higgins brings the Big Band era to life in this imaginative medley that features Glen Miller's 'In The Mood'...Count Basie's 'Jumpin' At The Woodside'...Harry James' 'Ciribiribin'...and Bob Crosby's 'Big Noise From Winnetka'.