SKU: MH.1-59913-050-5

ISBN 9781599130507.

Charles Dickens certainly would have known the three carols in A CHARLES DICKENS CHRISTMAS. They were among the best-known and best-loved carols of the Victorian Era, and were a staple of the repertoire of roving waits, or carollers, that appear in his novels. Today this music is as familiar as Santa Claus and Tiny Tim. THE FIRST NOWELL was first collected in Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern by William Sandys in 1833. It is most probably 200 years older than that. The Oxford Book of Carols contains nine verses, which makes it an ideal processional for Christmas or Epiphany (the feast commemorating the coming of the Magi). COVENTRY CAROL, or Lully, Lullay, comes from the medieval tradition of mystery and miracle plays. In 1534 the Pageant of the Shearman and Tailors Guild included a scene in which the mothers of Jewish children sang this haunting lullaby after hearing the horrifying order: Herod the king, In his raging, All young children to slay. The music is anonymous; the text believed to be by Robert Croo. ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH is probably of French origin, but the English long ago adopted it as their own. Besides the French text, Les Anges dans nos compagnes, it is known in several versions and by several titles, including Angels from the Realms of Glory, When the Crimson Sun Had Set, and Westminster Carol. It belongs to a category known as macaronic carols, which mix vernacular verses with Latin refrains - in this instance, Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Glory be to God on High). Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 8 Flute, 2 Oboe, 1 Bassoon 1, 1 Bassoon 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 1 Eb Alto Clarinet, 3 Bb Bass Clarinet & Bb Contrabass Clarinet, 2 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 2 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 1 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 1 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Trumpet 1, 3 Bb Trumpet 2, 3 Bb Trumpet 3, 2 F Horn 1, 2 F Horn 2, 2 Trombone 1, 2 Trombone 2, 2 Trombone 3, 3 Euphonium (Bass Clef), 2 Euphonium (Treble Clef), 5 Tubas, 1 Timpani, 2 Bells & Chimes, 3 Percussion 1: small triangle, suspended cymbal, crash cymbal, snare drum, bass drum, 2 Percussion 2: large triangle, finger cymbals.

SKU: CF.CPS224

ISBN 9781491152508. UPC: 680160910007.

Rainbow in the Clouds is based on an old traditional spiritual, possibly an African-American song from the 19th century, entitled God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds.  Composer Carol Brittin Chambers was inspired by poetic Maya Angelou to create of setting of this beautiful song. It is lush and beautiful throughout and will highlight the musicianship of your students.  This would serve as a welcome change of pace piece on your program for concert or contest.
Rainbow in the Clouds was commissioned by the Pflugerville Middle School Wind Ensemble in Pflugerville, Texas, directed by Shauna Satrom. The piece premiered in May 2017, in memory and celebration of Luis Ham, who was an Assistant Principal at Pflugerville Middle School.This piece is based on an old traditional spiritual, possibly an African-American song from the nineteenth century, entitled God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds. The first time I heard reference to this song was in a Maya Angelou video, in which she sings a portion of it: “When it looked like the sun wouldn’t shine anymore, Oh, God put a rainbow in the clouds.” In the video, Dr. Angelou honors those who have demonstrated kindness to her in the past, and she suggests that we all try to be a blessing to others. The Pflugerville community believed that Mr. Ham, with his positive outlook, was definitely a “rainbow in the clouds” for other people.The piece begins with a full ensemble introduction, followed by a woodwind treatment of the first verse with a fairly reserved tempo and straight eighth-note rhythm. When brass pick up the melody on the second phrase, we start to hear the song more like the original spiritual, with dotted-eighth, sixteenth rhythms. The middle section of the piece at m. 22 begins to move at a slightly quicker tempo, and the mood becomes lighter. This section becomes a call-and-response between a euphonium solo and upper woodwinds. The final section of the piece involves everyone playing together joyously and full, eventually winding down with two more solo statements in flute and euphonium.Note to the Conductor:Use this piece to introduce or reinforce the following musical concepts:Lyrical, expressive playing varied stylesSolo responsibilitiesKey changes, tempo changes.

SKU: BT.CMP-0489-01-010

Contrasting colors and varied orchestration techniques make this majestic setting of OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM come alive for Christmas. Of the three different tunes that are commonly associated with the original carol text, this arrangement uses the melody thatâ??s best known in England. ENGLISH CAROL FANTASY remains entirely accessible to bands at this level and plenty of cueing makes sure itâ??s useful for ensembles of all shapes and sizes. Feature your deserving young trumpet section leader on the easy solo, or let the entire first trumpet section play it soli. The low woodwinds and brass also get some â??well doubledâ? exposure, so playing this one will be fun for all.Try it!

Kontrastive Farben und eine abwechslungsreiche Orchestrierung machen diese prachtvolle Bearbeitung von O Little Town of Bethlehem zu einem lebhaften Weihnachtstitel. Von den drei bekannten Melodien dieses englischen Weihnachtsliedes wurde die in England bekannteste gewählt. English Carol Fantasy ist jedem Blasorchester, das den Schwierigkeitsgrad beherrscht, zugänglich - zahlreiche Stichnoten und Verdopplungen gehen auf die Bedürfnisse verschiedener Besetzungen ein. Die Trompeten dürfen mit einem leichten Solo glänzen!

SKU: FJ.B1126

UPC: 674398209866. English.

This arrangement of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen starts off in a moderate 4/4 tempo featuring a solo trumpet on the opening melody. The orchestration progressively thickens and then the piece moves into a lively 3/4 tempo, where the low brass and woodwinds are featured under an ostinato in the upper voices. Very reasonable in both rhythm and register, this is a great addition to any holiday concert. (2:10).

About FJH Young Band

Appropriate for middle school and smaller high school groups. Second clarinets usually stay below the break. Parts are written with more independence, and instrumentation increases slightly. There is still adequate doubling in the lower voices. Grades 2 - 2.5

SKU: KJ.JB118

UPC: 084027053539.

Written as a companion piece with Border Dance (JB117), Stranger At My Door is written in memory of Peg Bowden, a resident of southern Arizona, who was active in groups assisting migrants by providing food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance. Peg's book Stranger At My Door chronicles her involvements with a migrant who appeared at her doorstep one Christmas Eve in desperate need. Composer Jack Stamp opens this tone poem with a rendition of O Little Town Of Bethlehem accompanied out of time by a haunting melody in the low winds. An original melody, Peg's Theme and the hymn tune Bera (The Hymn of the Good Samaritan from 1849) are first presented plainly, then interwoven in a rhythmic fantasia of fugato fragments. Peg's Theme returns in its fully-harmonized form and the work ends in peaceful introspection. Solos for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Bass Clarinet, as well as solis for trumpets and trombones are featured. Although Stranger At My Door incorporates a well known Christmas carol, it is appropriate for all seasons due to its timeless message of selflessness in the face of danger.