Rob Goorhuis wrote his Variations on a Pentatonic Theme (1987) for the Royal Wind band of Thorn conductor Jan Cober. The work consists of five character variations on a pentatonic (five-tone) theme. The basic elements of the theme are the descending minor third and the descending major second which in the course of the composition build up to a broad melody unfolding itself in the final variation. The first variation resembles minimal music in its repetitive rhythmic motives. The second variation is explosive in character: rapid broken chords provide a background for soft solo motifs. The third variation is a quiet intermezzo on a slow chorale theme creatingtwo contrasting moods. The fourth variation is a light-hearted scherzo. The final variation is a brilliant finale with all the necessary ingredients or in the composer's words 'the works' Testpiece WMC 2005 Concert Division.

This masterful work by Jay Bocook was composed for fellow South Carolinian and highly regarded educator Scott Rush known for his accomplishments with the nationally acclaimed Wando High School band program. Employing a minimalistic approach this dynamic piece uses layers of constantly evolving textures and rhythmic devices while propelled throughout by an energetic underlying pulse. Sprinkled with surprises and dramatic effects and culminating with the full force of the entire ensemble Head Rush is a dramatic and unique addition to the repertoire for mature ensembles. Dur: 5:00

Though somewhat dark and dramatic in character A Million Suns at Midnight is ultimately a hopeful optimistic work evoking the struggles of humanity to grow achieve and evolve finally overcoming our fear (and its mostcommon manifestation: violence) to transcend our physical and mental boundaries. Individuals now possess an unprecedented technological capability for both creation and destruction and we must ensure that the million suns atmidnight are not those of fiery destruction but of bright hope.A Million Suns at Midnight is an appropriate and dramatic concert closer and is constructed so as to require minimal rehearsal time with the fullensemble allowing each section to work on their parts separately and assemble the whole quickly and confidently.NOTE: This work is available as a rental item directly from the composer. For details e-mailrental@stevenbryant.com. The score is also available separately for purchase from Hal Leonard.

For Concert Wind band and Pre-recorded-Alex Shapiro first brought electroacoustic music-- paired with using an everyday object as an instrument-- to middle school bands with her 2010 piece PAPER CUT. Now comes ROCK MUSIC possibly the very first geo-electroacoustic minimalist band piece largely devoid of melody and of rhythm. Conceptual and atmospheric the music features compelling textures from instruments voices and rocks that weave a wind band into a piece of sonic fabric stretched across linear time. As the notes slowlycrawl melt and scrape over a sonic landscape in random irregular ways were connected to the ancient glaciers which carved the world we know and which we strive to protect. Like PAPER CUT ROCK MUSIC can be equally appreciated by mature bandsand their audiences as well. To perform ROCK MUSIC youll need an audio system capable of playing the prerecorded audio tracks from a laptop computer via a small digital audio interface connected to an audio mixer. Download information is providedin the printed piece. Dur: 4:15

Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Concert Band-The Pilgrim Concerto written for the 2012 World Music Contest Kerkrade is a highly demanding yet rewarding work for alto saxophone and wind band. It is one of a series of spiritual works by the composer which also includes Symphony inGreen. Sometimes minimalistic and at other times romantic it describes a pilgrim who is at times calmy meditative but also full of anxious impatience to reach his goal.

Homecoming is a distinctly American piece of music which ventures emotionally from doubt to hope and finally to celebration. The most simple wind instrument of all the human voice echoes meaningful homecomings wherever home may be and from whatever circumstance one returns. Written for the soldiers of the U.S. Army TRADOC Band Homecoming seamlessly flows between traditional styles that originated in the U.S. from post-minimalist concert music to jazz. As the music grows into a waltz rhythm welcoming smiles dance with it to the end as loved ones are reunited.

A fantastic result achieved with minimal effort that is the secret formula of Star Lake. This upbeat march written by the doyen of English wind and brass instrument music. Eric Ball will become the favourite of your band and your audience after only a few practices.

An Astrological Composition. Astrology is based on the principle that each sort of time has its own quality. In order to determine the quality of a particular moment an astrologer looks at the position of the planets in the solar sustemat that moment. Each planet has specific types of energies and its location provides unique information for a certain moment on Earth. Thus: its position in the sky tells something about what happens on Earth. In this composition the typesof energies of four planets are musically translated. The four planet were not randomly chosen. There are two pairs whose influence and energy are opposite. Venus and Mars. Venus represents the feminine principle: harmony beauty art and the ability to make relationships and to keep the peace. Venus connects and communicates in order to maintain the balance. Mars represent the masculine principle: winning impulsiveness enthusiasm and sexual energy for procreation.He creates war enabling the strongest to triumph. Mars is musically depicted in a stirring march in which enthusiasm characterises the masculine character. Saturn and Jupiter. Saturn represents concentration and withdrawal: the strongnotion of responsibility seriousness self-discipline and melancholy. Saturn is the hermit who will conquer his fears and worries in minimal conditions and by self-chastisement. This contemplative character is depicted in the music as if it isalmost standing still which also reflects the given character of this planet. Jupiter represents growth and expansion: the positive self-confidence the good Samaritan the healer. Jupiter is the philosopher who will make the world a betterplace sees future possibilities and searches for eternal values. He is the prophet who sometimes rants and raves his doctrine and proclamations resulting musically in a whirling and upbeat finale. not looking back at what has been but searchingfor new challenges. 'Heaven and Earth' was commisioned by the Music Lending and Information Centre (MUI) a department of the library for the province of Gelderland in Arnhem The Netherlands.Een astrologische compositie. Astrologie is gebaseerd op het principe dat elke tijd zijn eigen kwaliteit heeft. ''Tijd voor koffie'' of ''het was je tijd nog niet'' als bijvoorbeeld een baan aan je neus voorbij is gegaan. Om de kwaliteit van een moment te lezen kijkt deastroloog naar de stand van de planeten in ons zonnestelsel op dat tijdstip. Elke planeet heeft specifieke energieën en de plaats aan de hemel geeft unieke informatie over een bepaald moment op aarde. Oftewel: de stand aan de hemel (Ouranos) verteltiets over wat er op aarde (Gaia) gebeurt. In deze compositie worden de energieën van vier planeten muzikaal vertaald. De vier planeten zijn niet lukraak gekozen. Het zijn twee paren die qua invloed en energie tegenovergesteldzijn. Venus en Mars.

Bossa de Brasil. In late 1950s Brazil, a new music style influenced by jazz arose out of the samba: the bossa nova. This composition by Peter Kleine Schaars sounds just like a bossa nova should sound: catchy, warm, relaxed and with a touch of sensuality. Starting with a small group of players with only one soloist and minimal accompaniment, this bossa nova leads to a style-conscious grand orchestration for the whole ensemble, in which all voices participate equally. In addition to the rhythmic cells 2 and 4 of the Brazilian 2-3 clave, the cells 7 and 10 in particular are featured.

Premiered at Carnegie Hall this minimalistic fanfare celebrates SpaceShipOne the first privately manned spacecraft to exceed an altitude of 62 miles twice within two weeks. The three sections explore the launch to space reaching the apogee (weightlessness) and the return to the atmosphere. Punctuated by incredible brass fanfares and woodwind flourishes the entire work is a bundle of energy from start to finish and is the perfect opener for any concert. Monumental! (4:21)

Originally commissioned for the celebration of Tennessee's “Homecoming '86 ” Jug Blues & Fat Pickin' is inspired by recordings of the Memphis Jug Band the most recorded and perhaps most popular of the jug bandsto spring up on Memphis' Beale Street in the late 1920's and also bluegrass banjo pickin'. Freund's composition is a unique musical offering that melds “blues elements” with minimalist technique. (Grade 5) Dur: 8:00