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: CN.R10220

Wit, warmth, charm, beautiful melody, vivacity; all of these, and more are abundantly evident. No wonder Jeuz d'enfants has been rated as a little masterpiece. Each of the three included movements is complete within itself and playable separately; together the contrasting styles and moods create an attractive Concert Suite.

Jeuz d'enfants was originally written in 1871 as a Suite of twelve pieces for piano duet. Two years later, Bizet scored five of the pieces for orchestra to create a Petite Suite. Each movement shows Bizet's enormous skill as a miniaturist, the music exuding a concentration of power and atmosphere. Wit, warmth, charm, beautiful melody, vivacity; all of these, and more are abundantly evident. No wonder Jeuz d'enfants has been rated as a little masterpiece. Three of the movements are included in this arrangement. Each is complete within itself and playable separately; together the contrasting styles and moods create an attractive Concert Suite. 1) Marche - Trompette and Tambour (Trumpet and Drum) 2) Duo - Petit Mari, Petite Femme (Little Husband, Little Wife) 3) Galop - Le Bal (The Ball).

SKU: CN.R10229

Written in the Italian style - with a pinch of Sousa, Marcia a Montecelio was composed on pure inspiration in just two days. This concert march will excite your audience and challenge your ensemble.

Monticello is the name of a little place northeast of Rome where my wife and I have rented a simple home for more than 20 years. We participated intensively in the cultural life of the community where there was also a little band, the Banda Municipale Cornicolana, which consisted of about 55 wind players, mostly youngsters. One day, the Il Direttore came to me and asked if I would like to write a march for them, which I naturally did. It became the Marcia a Montecelio. After 14 rehearsals, with everyone tired, perspiring and red in the face, we were forced to give up. The march was too difficult for them. I then wrote another, easier march for them to perform at the forthcoming feast of San Michaeli. The Montecelio march was composed on pure inspiration in just two days. It is written in the Italian style - with a pinch of Sousa.

SKU: CF.SPS82F

ISBN 9781491153277. UPC: 680160910779.

Resignation was composed in memory of one of Ed Kiefer's best friends. Evoking the struggle of coming to grips with the loss of a dear friend, the piece is based on the hymn, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need. It is dramatic, heartfelt, and overwhelmingly beautiful. As Hans Christian Andersen once said, When words fail, music speaks..
Dr. David S. Kirby Commission Consortium Phillip Riggs, Commission CoordinatorNorthwest District Bandmasters AssociationRodney Workman, Past-Chair Andrew Jimeson, ChairWestern North Carolina Bandmasters AssociationAllen Klaes, ChairNorth Carolina School of Science and MathPhillip Riggs, DirectorA.C. Reynolds High School BandSean Smith, DirectorSouth Caldwell High School BandJason Childers, DirectorJay M. Robinson Symphonic BandAndrew Carter, DirectorApex High School BandDaniel Jarvis, DirectorPanther Creek High School BandDavid Robinson, DirectorEastern Randolph High School BandCarolina Perez, DirectorStanley County Concert Band/Pfeiffer University Concert BandCarmella Hedrick, Tim Hedrick and Frank Poolos, DirectorsLenoir Rhyne University Wind SymphonyDr. Daniel Kiser, ConductorDr. Christopher NegrelliNumerous colleagues, fellow teachers, and former studentsProgram NotesThere is no possible way I could compose a piece of music worthy of the memory of my close friend, Dr. David Kirby, who died very suddenly at an early age. Neither could I write a piece that could come close to reflecting his kind spirit, wit, personality or talent. In fact, it was almost impossible for me to write anything at all. My own grief and the stages of my grief kept getting in the way. I ended up with a setting of the hymn-tune, Resignation. Resigned.  To the fact that he is no longer with us. I know he is in a better place, but we are not. We miss him very much. And so, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need seems to speak to those of us he left behind. I apologize if this piece does not reflect your special feelings for him or help you celebrate his moving on. Unfortunately, I could only put down what I have come to accept and hope in some way it may speak to any of you that knew him or to others of you who have also lost a close friend. My Shepherd Will Supply My Need. That is my hope and my hope for you.Although technically very easy, this composition requires a maturity of musicianship to be performed properly. The Bb contrabass clarinet part is integral to the composition, but there are cues in the tuba part if you need them.  Make sure you bring horns to the fore at m. 53 and the low brass at m. 59 so the melody can be heard without effort. Exaggerate dynamics to bring more emotion to the piece. Be careful not to diminuendo too soon near the end or it will be difficult to diminish even further at the very end, where the lone clarinetist holds over a couple of measures, fading into nothing. I hope your students will enjoy this piece and take from it a greater appreciation for the way making music can express feelings.

SKU: PR.14540022F

ISBN 9781491131572. UPC: 680160031832.

American Hymn was commissioned by the American Bandmasters Association and the United States Air Force Band. It received its premiere on March 5th, 1980 as part of the 40th anniversary of the American Bandmasters Association in Washington, DC. It is based on an earlier choral work which Schuman contributed to a comprehensive survey entitled American Hymns Old and New, published by Columbia University Press. The Langston Hughes text that inspired the original human is simple and straightforward, which is reflected in the melodic setting (quasi hymn-spiritual).

SKU: CF.SPS30F

ISBN 9780825864889. UPC: 798408064884. 9 X 12 inches.

Using the musical styles and forms of the Medieval and Renaissance periods, Mike Forbes has written a striking and powerful three movement suite that is a major addition to serious band literature. The music is entirely original, but the style and approach is similar to such pieces as the Courtly Dances from Gloriana by Benjamin Britten, and makes effective use of the coloristic possibilities of the modern concert band.

SKU: CN.S11243

This 3-movement tribute to H.G. Wells perfectly captures the imagination and wonderment found in the author's collection of works. The first movement is a march that could easily be extracted and performed on its own as a nice alternative to Sousa.

The Time Traveller: A tribute to H.G. Wells is cast in three movements: March: Anticipation, Mankind in the Making, and A Modern Utopia. Commissioned by the Bromley Youth Concert Band and first performed under the Director: Peter Mawson, on Sunday, March 3, 2002, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, London.

SKU: CN.S11229

Written in the Italian style - with a pinch of Sousa, Marcia a Montecelio was composed on pure inspiration in just two days. This concert march will excite your audience and challenge your ensemble.

Monticello is the name of a little place northeast of Rome where my wife and I have rented a simple home for more than 20 years. We participated intensively in the cultural life of the community where there was also a little band, the Banda Municipale Cornicolana, which consisted of about 55 wind players, mostly youngsters. One day, the Il Direttore came to me and asked if I would like to write a march for them, which I naturally did. It became the Marcia a Montecelio. After 14 rehearsals, with everyone tired, perspiring and red in the face, we were forced to give up. The march was too difficult for them. I then wrote another, easier march for them to perform at the forthcoming feast of San Michaeli. The Montecelio march was composed on pure inspiration in just two days. It is written in the Italian style - with a pinch of Sousa.

SKU: CN.R10255

The quirky and cute theme song to the cartoon 64 Zoo Lane has been arranged for concert band by the composer himself.

The Zoo Lane childrens' TV programme has been a huge success. This theme tune has been arranged by the composer himself!

SKU: CN.S11067

This overture is yet more proof of Philip Sparke's ability to contribute serious band literature which also has definite audience appeal. A fanfare opening followed by the sonorous full band leads to a lively tuneful allegro. This is developed - with the occasional change of meter to refresh the ear - before the fanfare returns, cleverly counterpointed against the music from the quicker section.

A fanfare opening followed by the sonorous full band leads to a lively tuneful allegro. This is developed - with the occasional change of meter to refresh the ear - before the fanfare returns, cleverly counterpointed against the music from the quicker section. This overture is yet more proof of Philip Sparke's ability to contribute serious band literature which also has definite audience appeal.

SKU: CN.S11036

Bring the sounds of the islands to the concert stage. Your students will enjoy this homage to the musical styles of the Caribbean.

SKU: BT.DHP-1084489-140

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

Il Signore Fagotto begint met een briljante orkestrale introductie. Dan introduceert de fagot het hoofdthema van het werk. De uitgebreide toepassing van een onregelmatige maatsoort (7/8) geeft de fagot de mogelijkheid om zijncharmante en schalkse kenmerken te onderstrepen. Dit spreekt tot onze verbeelding: we stellen ons voor hoe het beschreven karakter (Il Signore Fagotto) ondeugende streken levert. Kortom: een bijzonder boeiende compositie voor harmonieorkest,met als basis een prachtige hoofdrol voor de fagot!

Die Vielseitigkeit des Fagotts erkannten schon viele große Komponisten, wie z.B. Vivaldi oder Rimski-Korsakow. Es kann von melancholisch, klagend bis hin zu komisch und grotesk klingen. Letztere Eigenschaft war der Grund, warum in der commedia dell’arte im Italien der 1550er Jahre eine Figur namens Signor Fagotto, die das Fagott verkörperte, eine der wichtigsten komischen Rollen spielte. Maxime Aulio benannte nach ihm dieses Werk, in dem das Fagott seine schalkhafte, charmante Seite voll ausleben und auch das übrige Blasorchester brillieren kann.

Nicola Rimski-Korsakov disait du basson qu’il était « sénile et fourbe en Majeur, souffrant et triste en mineur ». Dans le grave et en staccato, il est indéniablement comique, grotesque et bouffon. Cette diversité de caractère avait déj inspiré la Commedia dell’arte qui confia Signor Fagotto l’un des rôles comiques essentiels. Au XVIIIe siècle, selon l’usage de l’opéra-comique italien (opera buffa), la voix était doublée par un instrument vent. De Signor Fagotto au basson, l’instrument qui allait le seconder, il n’y avait qu’un pas. C’est aussi cette époque que le basson devient un instrument soliste part entière. Vivaldi lui consacrera près de40 concertos. Sans doute a-t-il été conquis par sa personnalité généreuse, comme bien d’autres compositeurs dont Maxime Aulio. Il Signore Fagotto débute avec une introduction orchestrale brillante. Le soliste expose ensuite le thème premier de l’œuvre. L’utilisation presque constante d’un chiffrage de mesure irrégulier (7/8) permet au basson d’accentuer son caractère espiègle et charmant, tout en laissant l’auditeur un espace de liberté suffisant pour imaginer les facéties du personnage. Il Signore Fagotto est une œuvre captivante pour l’accompagnement orchestral et qui offre au basson une superbe partie soliste.Il Signore Fagotto a été donné en création mondiale le 24 avril 2002 par Laurent Le Chenadec (basson) accompagné de l’Orchestre d’Harmonie du Conservatoire National de Région de Toulouse.