Wald for Ensemble was composed by Hans Abrahamsen in 2008-09. Co-commission by the Schönberg Ensemble and BBC for Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.Programme NoteWald is in a way a series of variations from the beginning of my woodwind quintet Walden (1978). This thematical idea is very simple - a rising call of a fourth and the response in other voices. This idea is repeated several times but because the call has a slower pulse than the responses the process leads to them changing order.In Walden I borrowed the title from the Americanphilosopher Henry David Thoreau who in the middle of the eighteenth century in a little wooden hermit house at the bank of the lake Walden pond wrote the book Walden of his life and time in the forests. Here he experimented living for two years in order to come closer to nature and to see if it was possible to live simply without all the unnecessary needs created by society. The book is filled with poetry but is also cutting and critical of society. In my piece Walden I tried to search for the same simplicity handling the most simple material but at the same time trying not to lose the poetry.Wald is a twin piece to Walden but also to my former piece Schnee.Robert Schumann wrote in 1848-49 a wonderful piano piece Waldszenen. He wrote this collection of short pieces with beautiful titles like Einsame Blumen Vogel als Prophet and also Jäger auf der Lauer just a few years before Thoreau wrote his book Walden. For them the forest is the magical romantic place that gives a spiritual insight to man but also from where we get our food through hunting. For me the forest still has this magical quality and Wald has scenes with a hunting horn that calls (I many years ago played the magical 'Waldhorn' and remember playing in the forest near my home) flocks of birds that when agitated take

A unique type of swing chart that will surely intrigue you and your ensemble! Opening with a mysterious whole-tone riff with growling trumpets this chart instantly makes a lasting impression. As the title implies the piece shifts moods several times though it stays in a fast swing throughout. A sax section feature plays with straight-eighth figures to further shift the mood. No solos — just pure ensemble writing that is sure to be a favorite! (3:50)

Premiered at the 2005 Michigan Music Educaotrs Conference Escapades was commissioned by the Grand Valley State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the baton of Barry D. Martin with Arthur Campbell as clarinet soloist. Since the premiere it has been scheduled for additional performances in the United States and abroad. The piece gets its inspiration from the title which can be defined as 'a usually adventurous action that runs counter to approved or conventional conduct.' This piece is a series of changing 'escapades' (or variations) which develop and explore different aspects of the opening thematic material. The entire work builds into a free improvisational section beforeall elements of are united in the final presto of the composition (10:00)

This swinging four-beat version of the old Von Tilzer baseball classic really cooks on all cylinders. Features lots of great ensemble writing including a little 3/4 tongue-in-cheek bridge right before the final chorus. An excellent chart to entertain and bring back the nostalgic swing era.

This latin jazz piece in Bb starts with unison sax and bone licks and quickly opens up to the full ensemble. The head features alto tenor and trumpet who also share the changes in the solo section. Optional timbale shaker and cowbell parts are included.

Flexible 4-Part Concert Pieces-Arranged for beginners these well-known and original pieces will successfully launch instrumentalists into the exciting and rewarding world of ensemble playing. The parts are of equal importance and are written within comfortable ranges for each instrument. An optional supporting piano part is provided to reinforce the ensemble if necessary.Instrumentation is flexible and any number of players can join each part.FREE BRASS ENSEMBLE OPTION These pieces in Vol. 2 are also suitable for brass ensemble and further parts for trumpet trombone and tuba are FREELY AVAILABLE from the Universal Edition website.PART 1 in C Bb or Eb: Flute Oboe Violin Clarinet or AltoSaxophone; PART 2 in C Bb or Eb: Flute Oboe Violin Clarinet or Alto Saxophone; PART 3 in C Bb or F: Violin Viola Clarinet Tenor Sax. or French Horn; PART 4 in C Bb: Cello Double BassTraditional: O du lieber AugustinVerdi Giuseppe: The force of Destiny (theme)Traditional: Loch LomondRae James: Premiership Blues

Soundless Coast-Costa Muda (Soundless Coast) was commissioned by the Casa da Música Foundation. First performed on the 26th February 2013 at the Sala Suggia/CdM by the Matosinhos Jazz Orchestra conducted by Pedro Guedes to accompany the projection of the film ?O Naufrágio do Veronese? (Invicta Filme Portugal January 1913.5'30'; for ensemble2 Alto Sax (1st = Soprano Sax; 2nd = Flute) 2 Tenor Saxophones (1st = Bass Clar) 1 Baritone Sax (= Bass Clar)4 Trumpets in Bb (1st = Flugelhorn) 3 Trombones 1 Bass Trombone Guitar Piano Double Bass Drums

Check out this tasty setting of an old standard. It features an alto solo on the intro then settles into a nice bossa groove. The solo section is double time for an added kick with the bones playing the familiar melody in the background. Great writing!

What a great chart! The Sermon seamlessly integrates gospel rock jazz and Dixieland. The sax section is featured prominently throughout and the rest of the ensemble gets plenty of exciting material as well. The melody is a strong hook and is naturally developed throughout the chart including a short Dixieland section that includes an optional clarinet for a really authentic sound. This one is destined to become a bestseller!

Your trombone section will love this cleverly titled swingin’ feature by Erik Morales. Its light and carefree swing style lends itself well to the trombone section while also holding the interest of the rest of the ensemble. A written solo section passes the solo around the trombone section — perfect for featuring each member without requiring any improvisation skills. A real winner! (3:10)

Alice In Wonderland is a score in three main sections inspired by a short film of the same name from 1903 by Hepworth and Stow. For Flute Clarinet Violin Cello and Piano. Composed and published 2015. Duration: 9' Written for The New Music Players and Orchestra of Sound and Light for concerts in London and Sussex with funding support from The RVW Trust and Arts Council England. Premiere: Rowland Sutherland (Flute) Fiona Cross (Clarinet) Katie Stillman (Violin) Michael Atkinson (Cello) Richard Casey (Piano) University of Sussex 24th September 2015.

This slow ballad will bring back memories of the great Neal Hefti classic Li'l Darlin. Destined to become a mainstay in your jazz library for students to play every year. Great ensemble writing plus all the piano fills are written out.

Here's an easy swinger in B written to showcase each section. All solos are written out with changes provided as well. The rhythm section writing is complete and will lay down easy with inexperienced players. This chart is fun to play and should please most any crowd or adjudication panel.

This extremely interesting original is based on a modified New Orleans-style street beat. A 'gritty' bass part really helps add to the style and there are plenty of opportunities for your pianist to add fills throughout. A tenor solo leads into some creative ensemble writing and a driving shout chorus. Very unique and destined to be one of the bestsellers this year!

Straight ahead Bb blues scored for big band with the brass section playing the head against a sax tutti. Solo changes are written in the tenor trumpet and trombone parts with room for additional solos.