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 in thecourse 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.

As he did before in the often played and commonly appreciated ‘Lord Tullamore’ in which he poetically depicted the landscape and the cultural elements of a small Irish village in his composition ‘The Road to the West’ Carl Wittrock has sketched pioneer existence in America in a cinematic manner.In ‘The Road to the West’ the composer has tried to capture images of pioneer life during the period dating from 1850 to 1890 the days of the so-called Wild West.In those days the Wild West used to be the territory west of civilization the domain of cowboys trappers and other fortune hunters. In short ample ingredients for a captivating story.In the firstscene a lonely adventurer struggles against nature and the elements. After an exciting adventure he passes through ‘the Plains’ where majestic views alternated by colossal mountain ranges display an almost unimaginable beauty.After weeks of isolation civilization is reached again. ‘The Saloon’ is the perfect meeting place – here news is exchanged and hilarious scenes regularly take place.

The Yiddish word â??Klezmerâ?? has been derived from the Old Hebrew words â??Kleyâ?? (tool instrument) and â??Zemerâ?? (song singing making music).Klezmer is the traditional music of Jews from Eastern Europe.Yiddish musicians (Klezmorim) were regularly invited to come and play at Yiddish weddings as well as several other Jewish celebrations and festive occasions. Despite its close connection with traditional Eastern European folk music Klezmer music has succeeded in preserving its distinctive Jewish character. â??Klezmer Discoveryâ?? is a voyage of discovery through the richly varied music of the Jewish people from Eastern Europe.The introduction consists of anumber of motives from different traditional melodies (a Mitzve Tenzel and Lâ??cha Dodi) followed by a melody in 3/8th time (Kandelâ??s Hora). This dance melody originally came from Bessarabia (present-day Moldavia) and was taken along to America by Jewish musicians round 1900. Subsequently â??Der Terk in Amerikaâ?? a composition by famous clarinet player Naftule Brandwein can be heard. A number of fast cheerful dance melodies (bulgars) form the finale of â??Klezmer Discoveryâ?? (Lebedyk un Freylekh Lomir sich iberbetn and Sherele).

The Yiddish word ‘Klezmer’ has been derived from the Old Hebrew words ‘Kley’ (tool instrument) and ‘Zemer’ (song singing making music).Klezmer is the traditional music of Jews from Eastern Europe.Yiddish musicians (Klezmorim) were regularly invited to come and play at Yiddish weddings as well as several other Jewish celebrations and festive occasions. Despite its close connection with traditional Eastern European folk music Klezmer music has succeeded in preserving its distinctive Jewish character. ‘Klezmer Discovery’ is a voyage of discovery through the richly varied music of the Jewish people from Eastern Europe.The introduction consists of anumber of motives from different traditional melodies (a Mitzve Tenzel and L’cha Dodi) followed by a melody in 3/8th time (Kandel’s Hora). This dance melody originally came from Bessarabia (present-day Moldavia) and was taken along to America by Jewish musicians round 1900. Subsequently ‘Der Terk in Amerika’ a composition by famous clarinet player Naftule Brandwein can be heard. A number of fast cheerful dance melodies (bulgars) form the finale of ‘Klezmer Discovery’ (Lebedyk un Freylekh Lomir sich iberbetn and Sherele).

The heat of South America radiates from this delightful cha cha which incorporates the exotic sound of Latin-American percussion instruments. This light and sparkling work will be the hit at your next concert!

In the tripartite 'Cowboy Suite' Alan Laken takes us to the Wild West the domain of cowboys indians trappers and other fortune hunters. Around 1890 the west coast of America was reached which in effect meant the end of the Wild West. Its stories however survived and have been a source of inspiration for many books films and of course music. Some characters such as Jesse James Billy the Kid and Buffalo Bill are forever linked to these tales. In the 'Cowboy Suite' we first hear the 'Hoedown'. At the end of an exhausting workday the labourers used to lay down their tools among others the 'hoes' and spontaneously began to play music on the instruments which they then possessed (guitars fiddles and banjos) and to dance. After being jolted on the 'Wagon Trail' we reach the third part the 'Cowboy Roundup'. In this last part it becomes clear that as a cattle driver it is imperative to stay firmly seated in the saddle. As the cattle are rounded up i.e. driven together spectacular things happen.

During the 1980’s the English super-group Supertramp were hardly ever out of the charts. This medley by Andre Waignein includes their hits: The Logical song Breakfast in America and It’s Raining Again.

Jerry Burns, tisse cinq mélodies patriotiques dans cet arrangement stellaire. En commençant par de courtes déclarations de quatre airs, les transitions à la pièce dans une interprétation émouvante de 'America the Beautiful'. Cet arrangement est parfait pour la communauté ou civique événements, ainsi qu'une plus proche de votre spectacle de la mi-temps dynamique. / Fanfare

Par BECK BRIAN. The Cherry Tree is a beautiful and lyrical folk song dating back as early as the 15th century in the English Midlands. Having traveled all around western Europe, this folk tune eventually found its way to America, gaining popularity in the South in early 1900s and again in the 1960s. This setting, by composer Brian Beck, captures the beauty and simplicity of the original ballad while encouraging musical expression and smooth phrasing. (3:21) Correlated to Sound Innovations, Book 1, Level 5. / Date parution : 2022-10-12/ Répertoire / Concert Band

Par HANNICKEL MIKE. Fish Flew Like Birds is a great piece of entertaining band music based on Gospel and Blues music, which are two of America’s most influential contributions to the world’s musical palette. / Niveau : 2 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Centenary 2019 is a three-movement suite based on a local folksong and was commissioned by Chr. Fanfare De Lofstem, from the Dutch province of Friesland, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2019. ?Awakening Village?, the first movement, musically describes the waking up and coming to life of the village. ?Bintje Monument? was inspired by a famous sculpture that was placed to honour headmaster Kornelis Lieuwes de Vries (1854-1929) who developed the well-known potato variety called ?bintje?. The finale, ?Journey into the Unknown? refers to the band?s memorable 2011 concert trip to the United States of America, in which the composer combines elements of the folksong and fragments from ?The Star-Spangled Banner?. The piece consists of a wide range of playful and melodic sequences as well as some galvanizing rhythmical passages.

Based on the African-American spiritual ?Ev?ry Time I Feel the Spirit? Feel the Spirit captures the essence of the traditional spiritual. These songs were created by African-Americans oppressed by slavery. A deeply religious people the slaves would use singing as an expression of both their enthusiastic joy and profound sadness. Feel the Spirit enables you to play a great gospel song with your band

Par CURNOW JAMES. FANFARE PRELUDE: O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST is based on the hymn-tune “St. Anne, ” which was used by G. F. Handel in the Chandos anthem “O Praise the Lord, ” and by J. S. Bach in his triple fugue in E-flat “The St. Anne Fugue. ” James Curnow’s FANFARE PRELUDE: O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST captures the thoughts of this magnificent hymn, which speaks of our country’s reliance upon God. The unusual 4/4 meter setting with artfully crafted re-harmonizations and lush counterpoint gives each listener cause to reflect on the importance and meaning of this melody to patriotic Americans everywhere. Inspired! / Niveau : 4 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie