The ‘New Sounds for Concert Band’ series has guaranteed success in your concert programme for many years. The latest addition to the series is a classic from the jazz orchestra repertoire. Follow the great jazz master Duke Ellington and delight your band and audience with Take The A-Train.

Par DE HAAN JACOB. The Book of Urizen is a work for concert band, solo soprano, and a male narrator in which sound collages of religious expressions are used. The piece is inspired by the compelling visionary poem of the same name (which the poet illustratedhimself) by the Englishman William Blake (1757-1827), who occupies a unique position in western literature and the visual arts. He was not just a poet and a writer, but he was also a graphic artist, a painter, an illustrator, a spiritualist, areligious visionary, and a mystic philosopher. For the performance of this work, a professional sound system, including two microphones and a CD player, is needed. The three sound collages are three separate tracks on the enclosed CD and can beplayed easily at the right moment. The Book of Urizen bears resemblance to Genesis and Exodus, of which the contents form the basis of the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faith. Blake adhered to the principle that all religions are in fact one, and that deities reside in human beings. In The Book of Urizen this is represented in “The Net of Religion, ” which is spanned over the earth by Urizen. The sound collages, compiled by Jacob de Haan in the studio, find their origin inJerusalem, the Holy City, where the afore-mentioned faiths “come together. ” In the first movement of this composition, The Vision, Urizen prepares his vision of the world, and he presents this to the “Eternals. ” His vision is rejected, and Urizen locks himself up in his own abstract world. When he does emerge again, he is confronted with rage by the gathered Eternals. Urizen flees the wrath of the Eternals, “the flames of eternal fury, ” and enwombs himself in his own world. Whenthe Eternals see Urizen in his “stony sleep, ” they wonder if this is death. The blacksmith Los is torn by grief because of the isolation of Urizen. It brings him to rouse his fires, prepare his forge, and to give Urizen’s world concrete form. In the second movement, The Creation, Urizen’s world, but also man, woman, and child are created. Los is horrified with the appearance of Urizen’s body. He mourns and pities Urizen, and from his blood a female form comes into being, with thename Enitharmon. The Eternals, fearful of the female form, decide to erect a tent to obstruct their view to eternity. Enitharmon and Los beget a son, called Orc. Los baptizes him as a child of the “fallen world. ” Orc is fed at Enitharmon’s breast, which makes a girdle of jealousy restrict Los’ chest. He takes the child to the top of the mountain and chains him down. The cries of Orc awaken Urizen, who explores his world creating instruments of scientific measurement to do so. Los encircles theface of Enitharmon from the sight of Urizen and Orc. She then populates the earth by giving birth to an enormous race. The Web, third movement of The Book of Urizen is now available: DHP 1125252 / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Typically bands that play at this level have some Clarinet players who are comfortable above the break and others who are not. By staying below the break throughout this light and spirited Clarinet section feature let’s you give the entire section a bit of the limelight. This is a perfect vehicle to help your Clarinet section learn to shape a phrase and the cheerful melody let’s you program this piece anywhere you like. It’s also a good selection to use to take the pressure off Brasses before a particularly taxing major work. Remind the critically important Clarinet section that you value their efforts as much as any other section. Breezy!

This concert march is a tribute to the ?pioneers? in the world of brass music in the Lowlands of Netherlands the original founders of the bands and the people who take the lead in organising the societies and associations in the band movement. Celebrate the joy and friendship of the brass band movement with this truly uplifting march.

Finally here is an arrangement of our national anthem specifically designed for beginning players. The clarinets take the melody in the beginning joined later by the entire band. Effective yet easy to learn. Dur: 1:15

L?Américain Duke Ellington (1889- 1974) a été pianiste chef d?orchestre compositeur et arrangeur et a connu un grand succès. Son orchestre existe depuis des dizaines d?années et a pu survivre grâce aux énormes tubes que ses collaborateurs et lui-m?me ont écrits. Bon nombre de ces titres font aujourd?hui partie du répertoire standard des jazzmen.Billy Strayhorn(1915- 1967) a rejoint l?orchestre en 1939 en qualité d?arrangeur et de compositeur et a notamment écrit Take the A- train qui dès 1941 devient la chanson favorite de l?orchestre. Il en existe d?ailleurs de nombreuses versions.Juan Tizol (1900- 1984 trombone à pistons) a joué aux côtés de Duke Ellington pendantpratiquement toute sa carrière et a composé des titres latin pour l?orchestre. Il est le co-compositeur de Caravan et Perdido.Tout comme dans les concerts originaux de Duke Ellignton le medley commence par take the A- train suivi par toute une série de classiques extraits du répertoire du légendaire orchestre. Certains titres laissent entendre des solistes avec en point d?orgue un solo de timbales sur C-Jam Blues. Ce solo peut éventuellement aussi ?tre improvisé.Quiconque travaille ce morceau se doit d?accorder une grande attention aux basses et percussions qui forment la section de rythme et poussent l?orchestre. Les autres sections doivent ?tre solides et créer un effet de swing cohérent. Le swing ne peut ?tre trop anguleux et peut varier d?un titre à l?autre. Dans ?In a sentimental mood? par exemple la mélodie peut ?tre jouée de manière quasi rectiligne (classique) tandis que la section de rythme maintient le swing.

Richard takes the listener and performer on an extended journey through various moods styles in this impressive work for mature ensembles. The stately opening strains gather momentum and intensity leading to a fast paced sectionwhich features intertwining solo and small group fragments passed throughout the texture. An overall soaring theme adds a tone of triumph and grandeur throughout and the final push to the end is both exhilarating and rhythmicallydynamic. Dur: 6:50

Wanna listen to the king you look like an Elvis-In this great Disney musical a little girl Lilo adopts what she believes is a puppy but is what turns out to be an alien that has landed on earth by mistake. Their friendship is sealed by their mutual love of the music of the king - Elvis Presley. This arrangement contains a selection of Elvis classics that were featured in the film and is sure leave your audience humming Elvis songs long after they have left the concert.

This piece was inspired by the composer watching his young son Benny playing ‘soldiers’ with his collection of teddy bears - how appropriate!But it made him think of the many character pieces which take the form of a ‘toy march’ the most notable examples being by Haydn Tchaikovsky and Leon Jessel. Parade of the Clockwork Soldiers is in the form of a ‘patrol’ (starting and ending quietly with a louder middle) and aims to represent a band marching past the listener. In fact where the hall layout permits it it could be possible to add a little choreography to the piece starting and ending with only a few instruments on stage.

German March-Heralded by a fanfare-like figure for trumpets in the first strain here is an appealing German-style march solidly scored for young players. Low brass take the lead on the second strain followed by a contrasting lyrical sectionfeaturing the woodwinds. The full ensemble brings us to a rousing finish in this terrific-sounding march. (This is a nice follow-up to Johnnie's earlier “international” marches St. Petersburg March New ForestMarch and The Crown of Castile.) Dur: 2:30

German March-Heralded by a fanfare-like figure for trumpets in the first strain here is an appealing German-style march solidly scored for young players. Low brass take the lead on the second strain followed by a contrasting lyrical section featuring the woodwinds. The full ensemble brings us to a rousing finish in this terrific-sounding march. (This is a nice follow-up to Johnnie's earlier ?international? marches St. Petersburg March New Forest March and The Crown of Castile.)

Written in a grand film scoring style Rossano Galante's Journey To The Lion's Castle takes the listener on an exciting musical excursion of various moods and styles. The impressive opening strainsfeature Woodwind flourishes and powerful Brass lines. A graceful and majestic middle section offers a change of pace before the ending segment drives to a breathtaking finish. For mature bands this could become a programminghighlight! Dur: 6:00 (Grade 5).

Written in a grand film scoring style Rossano Galante's Journey to the Lion's Castle takes the listener on an exciting musical excursion of various moods and styles. The impressive opening strainsfeature woodwind flourishes and powerful brass lines. A graceful and majestic middle section offers a change of pace before the ending segment drives to a breathtaking finish. For mature bands this could become a programminghighlight! Dur: 6:00 (Grade 5)

The composer's most ambitious symphonic work to date this adventurous and powerful composition takes the listener through a collage of moods and interwoven sound textures. The opening and closing sections are propelled withrhythmic vitality and energy while the middle slow section includes an important piano part along with unique woodwind and horn colors. The percussion writing is stunning and features expanded mallet parts and driving ostinatos.This exciting work is contemporary sounding and makes a bold statement for mature bands. (6:30)