SKU: GI.G-9915

ISBN 9781622774371.

In the world of music conducting there exist fundamental practices shared by all conductors regardless of the type of ensemble they conduct. Foundations of Conducting Technique is a comprehensive beginning conducting text—complete with pictures, online videos, and supplemental conducting etudes—to facilitate the development of a clear and expressive conducting technique. In this volume, author Frank Eychaner addresses three major areas for beginning conductors: gestural technique, score study, and leadership. For gestural technique, the text details a number of technical skills, including the appropriate use of the body, the roles of the right and left hand, basic conducting patterns and their derivatives, an application of Laban movement analysis, the importance of the conducting planes, and conducting with varied articulations (staccato, legato, and marcato), among others. Using direct language, Eychaner details clear cause and effect relationships between gesture and sound. In addressing score study, Eychaner states that all conducting gestures must be guided by an accurate and artistic aural image of a musical work. Rather than advocating for one particular approach, this volume presents a number of possible score study methods for the student to explore. The author also includes a convenient and complete score study checklist. Finally, the text addresses how to be an effective and ethical leader from the podium. Eychaner presents the transformational leadership model—a holistic and dynamic approach to leadership—as a positive pathway for improving the conductor’s effectiveness on and off the podium. Supplementing the text are music etudes to help students develop the technical skills of the conductor. The exercises are intentionally simple, consisting mostly of rhythmic materials and folk-like melodies, so that conductors can focus on mastery of gestural skills. Foundations of Conducting Technique is a major contribution to conducting pedagogy and an extraordinary resource that distills the essence of effective conducting gesture. An ideal text for undergraduate conducting courses, it is also a practical reference for anyone employed in the field, including music educators, church musicians, leaders of community ensembles, and professional conductors of all ensembles. Frank Eychaner, an international leader in conducting pedagogy, has been an educator and conductor for twenty-five years, working in public schools as well as with professional, collegiate, community, and church ensembles. He is currently Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, where he teaches conducting, choral methods, and choral pedagogy, and conducts the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Men’s and Women’s Choirs. Figure 29.5. Duruflé Requiem. Figure 29.6. Handel's Messiah. Of the Father's Love Begotten Give Thanks Appendix A: Conducting Evaluation Form Extended Bibliography.

SKU: CL.012-4645-00

What starts out as a fanfare quickly becomes variations on the opening themes. As the title suggests, those themes are musical foreshadowing for the Changes Ahead. With effective use of mixed meters, changing keys and rhythms there is an excitement that builds off of otherwise simple melodies. In the middle section comes a lyrical contrast with a sense of anticipation that the changed themes are coming back to a powerful ending, where all the themes combine. Changes Ahead showcases each section of the band, but more importantly it will challenge them to listen to other themes and compliment them. With lots of percussion, dramatic brass, flowing winds this piece creates a bold musical experience for the band and the audience.

SKU: BA.BA11068

ISBN 9790006561988. 35.5 x 25 cm inches.

“... she stood leering hideously, and much dust sodden with tears lay upon her shoulders.”

“These snippets from Johann Heinrich Voss's translation of Hesiod's Shield of Hercules, where the din of battle is brought to a standstill for the wink of an eye, made me think of music that describes the 'inwardness' of a particular feeling, close to the much-cited metaphor of an entire life flitting past the inner eye in the space of a second, when, as in Hesiod, Atropos severs the thread of life. Viola and piano join forces on an equal basis to inscribe ever more lines and shapes which, however, relate in their inmost essence to intertwining circles laden with melancholy.”
(Philipp Maintz)

SKU: BP.HB776

UPC: 748769307762. 8.5 x 11 inches.

This spirited 3-5 octave handbell arrangement combines Deck the Hall and Gentle Mary Laid Her Child for a joyful celebration of the holiday season. The familiar melodies are given a lively treatment culminating in a thrilling climax, where both tunes are blended together seamlessly.