Hal Leonard is proud to welcome the talents of Douglas Akey with this wonderful contribution to the concert band repertoire. Commissioned by the Indiana Bandmasters Association this descriptive work is built around twocontrasting themes. The first is a haunting slow melody which reoccurs later in a more developed and expanded form. The fast section uses a strong theme with a creative harmonic structure along with occasional mixed meters. WithDoug's skillful orchestration and colorful percussion writing this piece is an excellent choice for festivals or contests.

This work was commissioned for The Berkshire Young Musicians Trust (England) who required a testing piece for the woodwind section of their concert band. The piece opens with a strong unison passage based on the interval of a fifth and develops with a passionate legato. This is followed by the main vivo section of the work based on the earlier 'fifth' figures. A bridge passage leads to a short chorale figure and a rhythmic climax which dissolves into a plaintive solo for oboe over staccato clarinets. Following a recapitulation of the main theme the oboe returns triumphantly before the opening unison passage reappears to provide a stirring coda.

This is an ancient Welsh air that was first published in Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1794. Dafydd (David) Owain was a famous Welsh bard who lived on a farm called Gareg Wen (The White Rock) in Eifionydd Carnarnvonshire North Wales. Tradition has it that on his deathbed he called for his harp and composed this lovely melody requesting that it be played at his funeral. Accordingly it was later played at the parish church of Ynys-Cynhaiarn. Lyrics were later added by Ceiriog Hughes which describe the melody's inspiration. This version for concert band retains all the beauty and simplicity of the original.

Par MOORE DAVID W.. Filled with rhythmic and harmonic interest as well as memorable melodies, MISSOURI RIVER FESTIVAL is an energetic and enjoyable piece that gives every section in the band an opportunity to shine. Moods of the river are artistically represented in the interplay between Maestoso, Allegro spiritoso and Andante mysterioso sections. Artistic exploration of thematic material is a hallmark of David W. Moore’s writing, and you’ll find plenty of it here. There is an added practical advantage, too. All brass parts are dynamic, interesting and fun to play, but there is plenty of brass “resting time” carefully interspersed throughout the piece. You can use MISSOURI RIVERFESTIVAL at virtually any time during in your program without fear of over-taxing the brasses. Outstanding! / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Shining armor and the Knights of the Round Table! Beautiful virtuous ladies and the Age of Chivalry are the images rendered in KNIGHTS AND LADIES a new Grade 1 band piece inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson’s IDYLLS OF THE KING. An excellent vehicle for cross-curricular teaching this easy piece for your first or second year band has a heroic theme and contrasting middle section in the shape of a mini-overture.It was a time of jousting and garlands; romance and intrigue; villains and valor! Experience the excitement of KNIGHTS AND LADIES with your band today!

Hudson River Run. Suggesting an exciting boat race on the majestic Hudson River, this energy-filled work features an underlying 8th note pulse and a dynamic percussion score. Even given the concise nature of the piece a variety of textures and styles are used, and the melodic elements are passed around to all sections of the band. As an added bonus, parts are included for beginning players allowing this to be used with a multi-level massed band.

For the second year in a row composer Steven Bryant took home top prize in the prestigious NBA/Revelli Composition Contest. The winner for 2008 Suite Dreams draws primarily from the inverted chaconne melody in HolstsFirst Suite inE-Flat recasting it in a dreamlike atmosphere almost as if (sometimes warped) memories of the original are drifting across the stage. Dur: 8:45 (Grade 5)

This magical piece is the quintessential setting for the Christmas holiday???s most treasured poem. The Night Before Christmas originally commissioned by the Cleveland Orchestra includes numerous soloists and sparkling orchestration in this original and cinematic score that musically stages the poem from beginning to end. The reading of the poem fits seamlessly into this remarkable composition that is certain to become a lasting audience and ensemble tradition!

Composed in 1925 by Spanish composer Jaime Texidor this attractive moderately paced march (paso doble) has a proven long-lasting appeal and musicality. Authentically adapted here by James Curnow this version for flexible instrumentation will soundgreat for virtually any occasion.

Interlude for Band a été donné en création mondiale en 1987 par l?Orchestre d?Harmonie des Jeunes de Suisse sous la direction de Félix Hauswirth. Cette composition est basée sur un motif mélodique de trois notes et développe une succession de motifs et figures rythmiques. Les bois se distinguent particulièrement par la virtuosité avec laquelle ils exposent les lignes mélodiques.

La plupart des pays ayant institué la tradition des musiques militaires ont développé un style de marche caractéristique. Ainsi il est relativement aisé de distinguer une marche américaine d?une marche militaire française ou une marche allemande d?une marche espagnole. À l?intérieur du cadre structurel rigide d?une marche on réussit à percevoir même les plus subtiles différences de rythme d?harmonie et de tempo qui caractérisent les traditions de chaque pays.Il existe un ou plus exactement deux styles de marche typiquement anglais : celui des marches militaires représenté par des compositeurs tels que Kenneth J. Alford et celui des marches cérémonielles ou de concert quiatteindra l?excellence avec les marches orchestrales d?Elgar et Walton entre autres.Royal Salute (?Salut royal?) est une marche de difficulté moyenne qui perpétue cette grande tradition. On y retrouve des éléments typiques : des mélodies et contremélodies amples et un trio nobilmente.

Klezmer music originated in the ‘shtetl’ (villages) and the ghettos of Eastern Europe where itinerant Jewish troubadours known as ‘klezmorim’ had performed at celebrations particularly weddings since the early Middle Ages. Since the 16th century lyrics had been added to klezmer music due to the ‘badkhn’ (the master of ceremony at weddings) to the ‘Purimshpil’ (the play of Esther at Purim) and to traditions of the Yiddish theatre but the term gradually became synonymous with instrumental music particularly featuring the Violin and Clarinet. In recent years it has again become very popular and in A Klezmer Karnival Philip Sparke has used threecontrasting traditional tunes to form a suite that will bring a true karnival atmosphere to any concert.

Filled with rhythmic and harmonic interest as well as memorable melodies MISSOURI RIVER FESTIVAL is an energetic and enjoyable piece that gives every section in the band an opportunity to shine. Moods of the river are artistically represented in the interplay between Maestoso Allegro spiritoso and Andante mysterioso sections. Artistic exploration of thematic material is a hallmark of David W. Moore?s writing and you?ll find plenty of it here.There is an added practical advantage too. All brass parts are dynamic interesting and fun to play but there is plenty of brass ?resting time? carefully interspersed throughout the piece. You can use MISSOURI RIVERFESTIVAL at virtually any time during in your program without fear of over-taxing the brasses.Outstanding!

Mvt. 3 of Minnesota Portraits-Enjoy a jubilant celebration of sounds and rhythms in this refreshing work that musically explores the exhilaration of snowboarding or skateboarding on the ?halfpipe.? Composer Samuel Hazo uses an energetic percussionfabric combined with twisting and turning patterns of melodies and riffs in this challenging and appealing offering for band. Dur: 3:50

We're pleased to release this vigorous and venturesome new piece from our foremost composer of mature wind band literature. After a brilliant fanfare opening the main theme is woven through variations in three large contrastingsections with the fanfare returning to culminate this impressive and substantial work. A superb new publication for serious bands.