SKU: CF.YPS200F

ISBN 9781491152881. UPC: 680160910380.

Step right up, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, step right up! See the exotic, the strange, and the magical at the Cirque de L’étrange, or “Circus of the Strange.” This piece evokes a bygone era when circuses and carnivals provided people from all walks of life a chance to see human and animal oddities. Cirque de L'étrange is an original concert march written in standard march form, but its sound is anything but standard. This piece is playable by younger groups and is a great way to expose students to the march form and style without sounding like your typical march.
Step right up ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, step right up! See the exotic, the strange, and the magical at the Cirque de L’étrange. Welcome to the Cirque de L’étrange, known in English as the “Circus of the Strange.” This piece evokes a time of a bygone era, a time when circuses and carnivals provided people from all walks of life a chance to see human and animal oddities that were sources of both delight and horror. While many of these sideshow attractions were deemed fraudulent, it did not deter the crowds from flocking to be shocked and awed. I have always held a special place in my heart for the showmanship of carnivals, because my grandfather dearly loved them. For much of his life, he worked at fairs and carnivals selling cotton candy and candy apples. A large portion of my days when growing up were spent running around fairgrounds and helping my grandfather with his stand. He imparted in me a love for the cunning, magic, and sheer joy that only carnivals and circuses can bring. In Cirque de L’étrange, I sought to capture the the mirthful, yet uncanny mood of the carnivals that I grew up exploring, thus transporting you to a different time.Cirque de L'étrange is an original concert march written in standard march form, but its sound is anything but standard. This piece is playable by younger groups, as it is a great way to expose students to the march form and style while not sounding like your typical march.Opening in D minor, the piece combines the playful feel of a march and a macabre tango. The second time through the First Strain (mm. 5-23), the upper woodwinds and bells add a second counter melody based in D harmonic minor, which heightens the peculiar nature of the piece. The Second Strain (mm. 24-43) by contrast, is a little more upbeat, thus evoking the magical ebullience of a circus, which is further highlighted by the xylophone part. The Second Strain ends in the key of F major and sets up the transition to the Trio in the key of G minor. The Trio (m. 44) begins with the G harmonic minor melody in the clarinets and a counter melody in the bassoon and tenor saxophone. The rest of the woodwinds and bells join in at m. 60 while the percussion adds a Gypsy-like feel with tambourine and triangle. At m. 76 the full band joins in the macabre parade with the trombones and baritones harmonizing the counter melody. The conclusion of the march has the upper woodwinds, adding a second counter melody complete with trills to bring the march to an exciting and dramatic finish.As the World’s Greatest Showman, P.T. Barnum, a man my grandfather greatly admired, once said “The noblest art is that of making others happy.” It is my hope that through this piece you will experience the thrill, delight, and fright that only carnivals can bring as you visit the Circus of the Strange!

SKU: AP.49978S

ISBN 9781470658656. UPC: 038081576213. English.

Appreciating the beauty in nature always brings us joy. My Heart with Pleasure Fills, by Vince Gassi, was inspired by one of William Wordsworth's most popular lyrical poems, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud. Through lyrical melodies and sonorous harmonies, this lyrical work provides opportunities for young musicians to develop expressive playing. (2:35).

SKU: CF.CPS267

ISBN 9781491161517. UPC: 680160920143.

I love to look up at the sky. When I see contrails, I wonder where they are going, and it reminds me of my hometown. Because of the pandemic, many people are still unable to visit their loved ones, and I thought they would want to fly away as soon as possible. This is the concept of this piece. You may be thinking about the places you want to go to or the family and friends you want to see, and you may feel excited, or you may feel lonely. At such times, the sky is always watching over us with its great receptive power. The sky gives us energy and courage. When I'm in a cheerful mood, I just want to flap my wings like a bird to the sky and fly away!.
I love to look up at the sky. When I see contrails, I wonder where they are going, and it reminds me of my hometown. Because of the pandemic, many people are still unable to visit their loved ones, and I thought they would want to fly away as soon as possible. This is the concept of this piece. You may be thinking about the places you want to go to or the family and friends you want to see, and you may feel excited, or you may feel lonely. At such times, the sky is always watching over us with its great receptive power. The sky gives us energy and courage. When I'm in a cheerful mood, I just want to flap my wings like a bird to the sky and fly away!

SKU: CF.CPS220F

ISBN 9781491153147. UPC: 680160910649.

An exciting new original march in classic American march form and style.  Composer John Paternak has captured the essence of the great marches of Sousa and Fillmore in a new tuneful and fresh sound traditional march.  The trio melody is essential catchy and the march is worthy of use as a solid warm-up march for festival by advancing level concert bands.
I wrote this piece for my friend Ralph Meyer and the members of the Western Reserve Community Band, who are always there for me when I need a group to read or record one of my compositions. I would also like to thank Larry Clark for helping this march come to life.There are a lot of sudden dynamic changes in this piece. It is crucial that there is dynamic contrast, so the piece can be performed effectively. There are also several instances with contrast in articulation styles. Make sure your group is playing short notes different from the legato passages. At m. 87 during the second time through, I have made the tempo jump to 152. Feel free to take it faster if your group is capable of it.