SKU: MH.1-59913-064-5

ISBN 9781599130644.

I wrote Galloping Ghosts (A Ragtime March) to conclude a concert of my chamber music in New York City on October 28, 1986. It is the final part of a work called Rags for Divers Players. This work was written to show the variety possible within the standard rag form. I used all the players available for the finale -- two violins, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, and piano. Since this is a rather unusual instrumental combination and not easy to reassemble, I decided to rescore the work for concert band. Galloping Ghosts is written in a standard march form but incorporates many of the syncopations found in ragtime. The uniquely American music called ragtime traces its history to African rhythms brought over by slaves. Over the years this music became welded to European musical forms such as the quadrille and the march. Drums and banjos and the minstrel tradition lent a special flavor, and from all these elements ragtime slowly evolved within the largely unknown black subculture of the late 19th century. In the late 1890's it emerged as a fully developed form in the classic piano solos of Scott Joplin (1869-1917). Joplin's 1899 hit, Maple Leaf Rag, was an overnight sensation and brought ragtime worldwide fame. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 8 Flute 1 and 2, 2 Oboe, 1 Eb Clarinet, 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 2 Eb Alto Clarinet, 3 Bb Bass and Bb Contrabass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon 1 and 2, 2 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 2 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 1 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Cornet 1, 3 Bb Cornet 2, 3 Bb Cornet 3, 2 Horn 1 and 2 in F, 2 Horn 3 and 4 in F, 4 Trombone 1 and 2, 4 Bass Trombone, 2 Baritone (B.C.), 2 Baritone (T.C.), 4 Tuba, 1 String Bass, 1 Timpani, 1 Xylophone, 3 Percussion 1, 3 Percussion 2.

SKU: CL.012-4612-01

During the Jazz age of the 1920's, the cat's pajamas referred to anything special, unique or cool. Musically speaking, the image of a cat in pajamas might suggest combining low clarinets (reminiscent of Prokofiev's use of a clarinet to describe the cat in Peter And The Wolf) with a jaunty little tune in ragtime style, adding a few instrumental meows, and you have (what else?): The Cat’s Pajamas: A Felicitous Feline Ragtime Novelty! Audiences and performers will love it from head to tail!

SKU: MH.1-59913-082-3

ISBN 9781599130828.

Fantasia Nova is a suite comprising two concert marches and a slow, middle movement that derives its themes from both marches. Ragtime (composed in early September, 1978) is a new from old sort of piece. Although its tunefulness and harmonies have an old-fashioned character, its structure, development, and orchestration are unusual for a march. In the chorale section (measures 111 - 148) the band director must be very careful in balancing, for each of the elements must come through. More important is that the audience be brought up by this section -- filled with a joyous exaltation; great attention must be paid to sonority and the band must play earnestly. Ragtime stands on its own and may be performed separately. Dreams (composed in late September, 1978) is the traditional march of the two. It is very closely modeled (in structure only) to Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever. It even includes a tricky piccolo solo, although the accompaniment has a chorale texture, almost like a school alma mater. This march has a patriotic, inspirational sound, because it was composed for the town of Irondequoit, New York -- for a Town March contest held by the town's community concert band. It did not, so far as I know, become the town's march; one can hear the name, Irondequoit, throughout the Trio, for every turn of the melody (in fact, each group of four notes) fits the accent pattern (Ih-RON-dih-kwoit) of the town's name. Parade stands on its own as a complete work and may be performed separately. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 6 Flutes, 2 1st & 2nd Oboes, 1 English Horn, 1 Eb Clarinet, 3 1st Bb Clarinet, 3 2nd Bb Clarinet, 3 3rd Bb Clarinet, 1 Eb Alto Clarinet, 2 Bb Bass Clarinet, 1 Eb Contrabass Clarinet (optional), 2 1st & 2nd Bassoons, 1 Contrabassoon (optional), 1 1st Eb Alto Saxophone, 1 2nd Eb Alto Saxophone, 1 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 1 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 1st Bb Cornets, 3 2nd Bb Cornets, 3 3rd Bb Cornets, 1 1st Horn in F, 1 2nd Horn in F, 2 3rd and 4th Horns in F, 2 1st Trombones, 2 2nd Trombones, 2 3rd Trombones, 1 Euphonium (Treble Clef), 2 Euphonium (Bass Clef), 4 Tuba, 1 String Bass, 1 Timpani (Triangle), 5 Percussion.

SKU: HL.4005510

UPC: 888680745936. 9.0x12.0x0.07 inches.

This composition reflects a colorful time in American history and is an opportunity for your band to discover ragtime rhythms. Folk hero Billy Miner (the Grey Fox) was the last of the old-time bandits. He was noted for his unusual politeness and is believed to be the originator of the phrase, Hands up! This composition is like a mini movie score and starts with the Billy Miner ragtime theme, followed by a train robbery, his capture, and final release. The artful interplay between sections gives this piece the sophisticated sound and intensity of a much more advanced work. Dur: 3:35.

SKU: CL.012-4559-01

Mark Twain’s colorful characters come to musical life in A Tom Sawyer Portrait! The journey begins in St. Petersburg, Missouri, with a jaunty musical portrayal of Tom and Huck and a ragtime sequence which depicts the sleepy river town. An Americana-style ballad follows that is tender, lyrical and poignant. This segues into a no holds barred blues section representing the mighty Mississippi. The Portrait concludes with our heroes’ return, featuring a recap of the opening theme augmented in the brass and accompanied by woodwind runs and exciting percussion. This is a great selection for the concert band that demands solid musicianship but will reward students for their efforts!

SKU: AP.36-50105080

ISBN 9781621561057. UPC: 659359749827. English.

Karl King wrote more than marches. He embraced the music of his day and incorporated it into his own writing. This delightful rag is dedicated to his friend Charles Rozell, ragtime drummer.

These products are currently being prepared by a new publisher. While many items are ready and will ship on time, some others may see delays of several months.

SKU: KJ.WB310

UPC: 8402701405.

Turn-of-the-(20th)-century music is featured in Concert in the Park. This pot-pourri of styles features waltzes, gallops, ragtime, and marches-types of music usually performed at an outdoor concert. Trumpet and clarinet solos are interspersed to pay tribute to the fine soloists of the time, such as Herbert L. Clark. An allusion to The Stars and Stripes Forever closes the work.