‘Panem et Circenses’ Bread and Games were essential for keeping the citizens of ancient Rome in check. While the bread was meant for the poorest among the Romans the Games were Popular Pastime Number One for everybody.There were different kinds of games such as chariot races (especially popular with female spectators) or wild-beast fights where lions tigers bulls or bears were set on one another or even on human beings. Most popular however were the Gladiator fights. In ‘Bread and Games’ William Vean depicts one of the many fights in the antique Colosseum. 1. Entrance of the Gladiators: By powerful bugle-calls the attention of the peoplewas asked for after which the Gladiators entered the Arena at the sound of heroic marching-music.2.Swordfight: We can hear that the fights were not mere child’s play in this part.On the contrary they were a matter of life and death and were fought accordingly.3.Mercy of the Emperor: Sometimes a wounded gladiator could be fortunate depending on the mercy of the audience. Waving one’s handkerchief meant mercy a turned-down thumb meant no pardon. The Emperor had the right to take the final decision but he usually complied with the wish of the majority of the public. 4.Lap of Honour: Gladiators were mainly selected among slaves convicted criminals or prisoners of war. Consequently winning was very important as it would mean fame honour and sometimes even wealth. A lap of honour therefore was the winner’s due reward.

Many people when asked the question 'Do you have any hobbies?' will answer 'Shopping' (even though the female part of the population may be more interested in this than the male one). Of course it is great fun to walk about in a Shopping Mall browsing in various small shops looking for things you have always wanted to possess. This was what William Vean was doing one day when he came across the idea to write a composition in which several shops could try to sell their wares (and this idea didn't cost him a penny). First the audience are taken to a 'Jeans store' then a 'Phone shop' is visited after which a visit is made to a 'Perfumery'. Thefourth part depicts a profession which is practised in several premises namely that of shoplifter. In the fifth part there is room for a bite to eat at a Chinese restaurant and finally after a visit to the hairdresser's it's time to go home.

Celebrate the spirit of youth! TAKE CENTER STAGE is a fresh exciting new offering from Curnow Music Press. The energetic opening and first theme supported by an invigorating rhythmic undercurrent perfectly balance the 'cantabile' middle section. They lead relentlessly to the exhilarating conclusion. As always Douglas Court's music includes enjoyable parts for every player in the band and this one is right on target for the skills of Grade 3 groups. A delightful opening piece for concert or festival you may even consider using it with a 'mass band' or at an All-District concert. Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation annual festival includedabout 800 younginstrumentalists!

Written in a grand film scoring style Rossano Galante's Journey To The Lion's Castle takes the listener on an exciting musical excursion of various moods and styles. The impressive opening strainsfeature Woodwind flourishes and powerful Brass lines. A graceful and majestic middle section offers a change of pace before the ending segment drives to a breathtaking finish. For mature bands this could become a programminghighlight! Dur: 6:00 (Grade 5).

Letter from Sado is an exciting new piece for young band based on a Japanese haiku of the same name. Sado refers to Sado Island in Japan in which various artists religious and military leaders were sent in exile many years ago. The island has historically had a strong community of taiko drummers and as such the piece incorporates optional homemade taiko drums. Blackshaw writes: To capture the idea of interpretation and the concept of reading between the lines the students are invited to become decision makers about particular sections in the music. For example the opening and closing sections of the piece use the same material which is a selection of repeated melodic figures.The students themselves decide how to play these figures as individuals in small teams and then as a whole band. Their decisions include ideas regarding tempo (how fast?) dynamics (how loud?) and articulation (smooth short or hard?). To inspire them we use the haiku poem; i.e. the opening section invites the students to play the material as if it were a 'stormy wild sea' and the closing section invites the students to play the same melodic figures but this time draw their inspiration from 'Heaven's River ' or as we know it the Milky Way. In-between there is an elaborate heavily textured section that becomes increasingly powerful. The music doesn't rest harmonically until the whole band plays in unison. These multiple layers of sound represent the many thoughts and ideas that would have surrounded those individuals sent to Sado Island in exile the final unison is representative of their own breakthrough experience sending them on a pathway to inner peace and acceptance. Embrace your players' creativity offer them your trust and see how far Letter from Sado can take your band!

(An ancient magical spell) Overture for Band-Move over Harry! Your band members are the sorcerers this time as they take the audience to mystical realms. A captivating spell is cast as the music conjures up the drama and mystery of ancient magic. The foreboding opening will appeal to the young musician’s sense of adventure and as the piece progresses every listener will be mesmerised by the unfolding prestidigitation. The runes are cast! There is no escape! If you don’t choose this piece for your concert beware - you may turn into a frog!

The tradition of the Christmas tree in Western Europe dates back to a time long before any Christianization had taken place. During the severely cold winter nights so it was believed evil spirits tried to 'kill' nature. Needle-leaved trees were the only ones which kept their green colour throughout the year and therefore became symbols of immortality. These 'living' trees said to be the work of benign spirits were brought into people's houses to ward off evil life-threatening powers. In the 14th century people first started to decorate Christmas trees. It was a pagan custom originated by the inhabitants of Alsace. This custom was taken over by the Church inthe course of the 15th and 16th century. At first the decoration consisted mainly of edibles such as apples and wafers but later small presents were added. Legend has it that the reformer Martin Luther was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree with candles. The flickering candle flames were meant to create the image of a starry sky in which Christ's apparition could be recognized. The German organ-player Ernst Anschütz from Leipzig was the first person to notate the song 'O Tannenbaum' the melody being a well-known folk song. Next to 'Stille Nacht' 'O Tannenbaum' is the most famous German Christmas song now known throughout the world. In the United States of America the melody of 'O Tannenbaum' has even been used in four States (among which the State of Maryland) for their State song. In David Well's arrangement the song is first heard as many of us know it. After this introduction however it is transformed into a solid rock version and the beat has been changed. In the second part the familiar three-four time is back but here the rhythm is different from the original. After the richly ornamented rock beat the basic theme can be heard once again and the composition is concluded in a festive manner.

Composer Timothy Johnson spent many years as a school band director. His teaching experience qualifies him to approach the development of this new entry into the CMP Essentials of Musicianship Series with reality-based confidence. Ever so gradually this product takes the band from the simplest forms of syncopation to more and more complex notation. Your students can build their reading skills at a pace they can handle. The astute teacher will also notice that there is plenty of concept reinforcement as the group steps from easy to more challenging rhythms.A great teaching tool!

This harrowing work depicts a horde of scowling bewitched gargoyles as they break free from their stone perches and fly about under cover of darkness. After a vengeful introduction the aggressive theme takes off supported by bombastic percussion. Each section gets its say with the melody and your clarinetists will love playing the bloodcurdling screams (played by removing the mouthpiece and barrel). A bold and dramatic work for concert or contest! (2:20)

In the year 1368 a rapacious character takes up residence in the castle of Rijnesteyn at Cothen. He is Johan bastard son of the Bishop of Utrecht.Round this now so peaceful castle eventful matters are enacted. In part one Johan and Willem Gulik of Guelders set out to do battle against King Charles of France. On their return in part two Johan captures two French goldsmiths in Hainault and incarcerates them at Castle Rijnesteyn. Part three is a musical representation of a courtly ballet in medieval style. The final part relates how Jan van Rijnesteyn goes to war against Hendrik van Vianen and Lord of 'Goy Viscount of Utrecht.Jan loots hispossessions and threathens to conquer all. In het jaar 1368 betrekt een roofzuchtig heerschap het kasteel Reijnestein te Cothen.Het is Johan de bastaardzoon van de Utrechtse bisschop. Rond dit nu zo vredig gelegen ridderslot hebben zich toen geruchtmakende taferelen afgespeeld. In het eerste deel trekt Johan met Willem Gullik de hertog van Gelre ten strijde tegen koning Karel van Frankrijk. De terugreis speelt zich af in het tweede deel. Tijdens deze reis neemt Johan in Henegouwen twee Franse goudsmeden gevangen en sluit ze op in de kerker van slot Rijnesteyn. Deel 3 is de muzikale weergave van een hoofs ballet in middeleeuwse stijl. In het laatste deel wordt verteld hoe Jan van Rijnesteyn in 1396 ten strijde trekt tegen Hendrik van Vianen en de heer van't Goy burggraaf van Utrecht. Jan plundert diens goederen en dreigt diens bezittingen te veroveren.

Par JOHNSON TIMOTHY. Troika Rushing is one of many popular traditional folk songs that exist in Russia. Though not all Russian folk songs are in the minor key, man of them are, including this one. All of the wind instruments take their turn in playing the melody making it enjoyable for all to play. / Niveau : 1.5 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

The result of a collaborative commission by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band the U.S. Coast Guard Band the U.S. Military Academy Band and the U.S. Naval Academy Band this major work for band takes its title from a quoteattributed to Thomas Jefferson “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty ” and a variation of the West Point motto “The Long Gray Line.” Opening with a tribute to those who have gone before in service toour country a solemn noble theme is presented that reappears near the end of the composition. The main body of the work is a series of march-like themes and idiomatic fragments culminating in a glorious full-band fanfare.Following a restatement of the “noble” theme a stirring coda brings the music to a climactic close. Dur: 8:30 (Grade 5) (E.B. Marks)

The image of a path not taken may evoke a sense of mystery and excitement at the unknown, as well as the satisfaction of following our own individual path in life - a unique journey different from all others. This engaging work for band follows an arc of emotions ranging from the eager anticipation at the start of a journey; frustration and doubt as the path becomes more difficult and perilous; then elation and joy as the goal is reached and our dreams are realized.

Troika Rushing is one of many popular traditional folk songs that exist in Russia. Though not all Russian folk songs are in the minor key man of them are including this one. All of the wind instruments take their turn in playing the melody making it enjoyable for all to play.