SKU: IS.PCE6858EM

ISBN 9790365068586.

Since 2010 Sam is full time drummer in the Royal Band of the Belgian Navy. As a freelance musician he played with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, the National Orchestra of Belgium, Symphonic Factory and many more. In these orchestras some famous conductors crossed his path: f.i. Takuo Yuasa (Jap), Jaap Van Zweden (Ned) and Pincchas Steinberg (Ger). In many performances at the Night of the Proms with Il Novecento, he accompanied world famous artists like Donna Summer, Mike Oldfield, Ike Turner and Macy Gray. As freelance drummer/percussion player he worked on several musical shows as Evita, Elisabeth, Joseph and the amazing tecnicolour dreamcoat, Oliver!, Fiddler on the roof, Cinderella, Wizard of Oz,... Performing all these plays and concerts, he came across the whole wide world. Sam teaches percussion and ensemble at the Conservatory of Mechelen, Belgium. He is founder of the trio Percussive, which is now one the leading percussion groups, touring in the Belgian theatres. Sam made a serie of short percussion videos which were broadcasted many times on national television, and which are still popular on social media. For one of these movies he was granted with 2 awards at the Corporate Video Festival. As a composer Sam wrote many educational pieces, a lot of songs for Percussive, some large compositions for percussion ensemble and 6 musicals/mass productions as King Albert 1, Marie-Antoinette, Gheelamania 2010 and 2015 and Mol-in-scene. These mass productions were visited by more then 90000 people. Sam's piece Frozen planet was the mandatory work voor the ONSK percussion ensemble contest 2016, in the highest level.

SKU: IS.PCE6938EM

ISBN 9790365069385.

Since 2010 Sam is full time drummer in the Royal Band of the Belgian Navy. As a freelance musician he played with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, the National Orchestra of Belgium, Symphonic Factory and many more. In these orchestras some famous conductors crossed his path: f.i. Takuo Yuasa (Jap), Jaap Van Zweden (Ned) and Pincchas Steinberg (Ger). In many performances at the Night of the Proms with Il Novecento, he accompanied world famous artists like Donna Summer, Mike Oldfield, Ike Turner and Macy Gray. As freelance drummer/percussion player he worked on several musical shows as Evita, Elisabeth, Joseph and the amazing tecnicolour dreamcoat, Oliver!, Fiddler on the roof, Cinderella, Wizard of Oz,... Performing all these plays and concerts, he came across the whole wide world. Sam teaches percussion and ensemble at the Conservatory of Mechelen, Belgium. He is founder of the trio Percussive, which is now one the leading percussion groups, touring in the Belgian theatres. Sam made a serie of short percussion videos which were broadcasted many times on national television, and which are still popular on social media. For one of these movies he was granted with 2 awards at the Corporate Video Festival. As a composer Sam wrote many educational pieces, a lot of songs for Percussive, some large compositions for percussion ensemble and 6 musicals/mass productions as King Albert 1, Marie-Antoinette, Gheelamania 2010 & 2015 and Mol-in-scene. These mass productions were visited by more then 90000 people. Sam's piece Frozen planet was the mandatory work voor the ONSK percussion ensemble contest 2016, in the highest level.

SKU: MH.1-59913-072-6

ISBN 9781599130729.

Program Notes: It was a happy coincidence that the commission for SINFONIA XVI: TRANSCENDENTAL VIENNA came from the Henry David Thoreau School located in Vienna, Virginia. Thoreau is one of the magic names in American culture: Henry David Thoreau, one of the leading figures of the Transcendentalist movement, centered in 19th-century New England, left us a body of unique philosophical and poetical writings. To utter the words, Walden Pond, is to invoke an America long past in physical actuality, but still present in the minds and hearts of many American citizens. The name, Vienna, of course, summons thoughts of the Old World: culture, fine food, wine, civilized cities. While contemplating the form that SINFONIA XVI should take, I found myself thinking of two pillars of Viennese culture: expressionism and the waltz. Musically speaking, expressionism reached a zenith in the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg. It was Berg, in particular, that I wanted to invoke in the outer movements of my composition. I knew I would also have to include a waltz, and an invocation of the mysterious forces that are contained in both expressionism and transcendentalism. Thus was the structure of the work generated. The outer movements with their vision of the night sky and the stars, Aldebaran and Sirius, frame the central movements, which are essentially two versions of the same material, and are quieter and less dramatic. The outer movements are symmetrical, and share both pitch and rhythmic materials. Accordingly, I see the work as a ternary form, with the central movements forming a unit within the outer frame: A (Movement 1) B (Movements 2 & 3) A' (Movement 4). Harmonically, the work can be summarized by the two pitch-series which occur in the opening bars of Movement 1: the initial 12-note row, with a tonal center on F-sharp (measures 1-6), and the subsequent D-minor Dorian 7-note row (beginning in measure 14). Aspects of these materials occur in all four movements, but they are most strongly present in Movements 1 and 4. Note that the 12-note row is not subjected to the usual serial procedures, but instead is treated as a signifier and is left unchanged. Since the fourth movement takes up where the first movement leaves off, I can conceive of one interpretation of SINFONIA XVI as an evocation of Thoreau himself contemplating two of the brightest stars on a clear, cold night. Aldebaran is an orange, first-magnitude star, located in the constellation Taurus; Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the sky, and is located in the constellation Canis Major. Thoreau interrupts his star-gazing to entertain some inward thoughts, waking dreams, as it were, then returns his gaze to the splendid night sky and all its treasures. Although many other interpretations of the material are possible, it is important to remember that the abstract materials of the piece -- pitch, rhythm, structure -- are what count the most. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 4 Flute 1, 4 Flute 2, 3 Oboe, 1 Eb Clarinet (opt.), 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 3 Bass Clarinet, 3 Bassoon, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 2 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Trumpet 1, 3 Bb Trumpet 2, 3 Bb Trumpet 3, 2 Horn 1, 2 Horn 2, 3 Trombone 1, 3 Trombone 2, 3 Euphonium B.C., 2 Euphonium T.C., 5 Tuba, 2 Timpani, 3 Percussion 1, 3 Percussion 2, 3 Percussion 3, 3 Percussion 4.

SKU: HL.268960

UPC: 888680737153. 8.5x11.0x0.271 inches.

This 5-movement, multi-media choral drama honors one of the great heroes of the emancipation era. The journey of those who sacrificed becomes a story we can relive and honor. Dr. Kean's goal was to compose and arrange original music and traditional spirituals in a style that is evocative of the enslaved Africans' frame of mind. The spirituals are accompanied with kalimba (thumb piano) to honor the sub-Saharan African musical tradition of connecting with ancestors and with the marimba to sound like the west African balafon. This is a work that will move an audience to tears. Medium to difficult. The Journey of Harriet Tubman has generated a much needed discussion of African American enslavement and and cultural appropriation. The composer has dedicated half of his royalties from this work to â??The Equal Justice Initiative,â? a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. Please visit https://eji.org/about for more info.

SKU: HL.4006635

UPC: 840126925371. 9.0x12.0x0.063 inches.

The poignant lament “Mo Chile Mear” (My Gallant Hero) was authored after the defeat of the Scots and their Celtic allies at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, ending dreams of independence from English rule. Michael's emotional setting opens with a flute solo then builds gradually as layers of instrumental groups are added. The piece shifts to a lilting 6/8 style, propelled by the percussion section, and culminates in a majestic statement by the entire ensemble.

SKU: CF.CPS250

ISBN 9781491159576. UPC: 680160918164.

Kaleidoscope Sky is inspired by the breathtaking pastime of hot-air ballooning and the glorious festivals around the world that honor the practice. A sky full of colorful spheres elegantly floating at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Mondial Air Ballons and more draw thousands of people to witness awe-inspiring scenes full of passionate balloonists. Traditional hot-air balloons mix with creatively designed balloons to thrill the tens of thousands of spectators below. While I personally am not a person who dreams of taking my own flight--heights are not my thing--I have to marvel at how gently and easily these vessels float among the clouds. It truly is an image of exquisite freedom. This piece reflects the view and experience of the onlooker taking in an elegantly shifting scene reminiscent of kaleidoscope patterns. Spectators like me can appreciate the beauty and vibrancy associated with a horizon full of adventurous balloonists and their wondrous aircrafts. Kaleidoscope Sky starts in a triumphant and celebratory fashion and continues to conjure images reminiscent of the wide variety of soaring colors on display at a hot-air balloon event. Ultimately, the piece appropriately concludes with a suspenseful, yet graceful, run to the finish line. Melodic lines should soar with attention being paid to phrase markings and assigned articulations. Encourage musicians to allow room for the melodic material to be heard in thicker textures where supporting harmonies are often rhythmic in nature. These harmonies should support, and not cloud the melodies. The meter changes should sound effortless, and the continuous figures in the percussion will help to achieve this effect. The snare drum, in particular, should bring accented notes to the foreground while maintaining a steady textural effect with non-accented notes as a rhythmic background. This will go a long way in finding a cohesive subdivision and ensemble pulse.
Kaleidoscope Sky is inspired by the breathtaking pastime of hot-air ballooning and the glorious festivals around the world that honor the practice. A sky full of colorful spheres elegantly floating at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Mondial Air Ballons and more draw thousands of people to witness awe-inspiring scenes full of passionate balloonists. Traditional hot-air balloons mix with creatively designed balloons to thrill the tens of thousands of spectators below. While I personally am not a person who dreams of taking my own flight—heights are not my thing—I have to marvel at how gently and easily these vessels float among the clouds. It truly is an image of exquisite freedom. This piece reflects the view and experience of the onlooker taking in an elegantly shifting scene reminiscent of kaleidoscope patterns. Spectators like me can appreciate the beauty and vibrancy associated with a horizon full of adventurous balloonists and their wondrous aircrafts. Kaleidoscope Sky starts in a triumphant and celebratory fashion and continues to conjure images reminiscent of the wide variety of soaring colors on display at a hot-air balloon event. Ultimately, the piece appropriately concludes with a suspenseful, yet graceful, run to the finish line.Melodic lines should “soar” with attention being paid to phrase markings and assigned articulations. Encourage musicians to allow room for the melodic material to be heard in thicker textures where supporting harmonies are often rhythmic in nature. These harmonies should support, and not “cloud” the melodies. The meter changes should sound effortless, and the continuous figures in the percussion will help to achieve this effect. The snare drum, in particular, should bring accented notes to the foreground while maintaining a steady textural effect with non-accented notes as a rhythmic background. This will go a long way in finding a cohesive subdivision and ensemble pulse.