Powerful harmonies and strong rhythms dominate this new easy work from Michael Sweeney. Written in a simple rondo form statements of the main theme are interspersed with a legato section featuring woodwinds and later questionand answer phrases between percussion and the low voices. A sparkling new addition for the easy level.

Here's a marvelous arrangement featuring the engaging sounds of folk music from Sweden. It opens with a brief fanfare followed by In The Summer The Sun Shines So Clearly. After the lovely 3/4 melody Flowers Of Joy Eric alternateswoodwind and brass choirs on the dignified O Varmland. The lively song My Love Like A Dainty Shepherdess is written in 3/4 for ease of reading and the medley concludes with a majestic setting of The King. Well scored with plentyof variety.

Many directors express the need for more involved literature that is appropriate for holiday concerts. This excellent arrangement provides a wealth of teaching potential while staying well within the technical abilities of young musicians. A heroic fanfare subsides into a beautiful treatment of the melody that continues to evolve through several settings. A powerful conclusion makes this a must for your next program. Be sure to listen to this one!

The word ‘tsunami’ is of Japanese origin. When you look it up in a dictionary you will find that it means ‘a great sea wave produced by submarine earth movement or volcanic eruption’. A megatsunami is the superlative of this awesome expression of power that nature can create and has catastrophic consequences. When Carl Wittrock completed this composition not many such big earth movements had occurred but since then we have become all too familiar with the disastrous consequences which a tsunami may have. On the 26th of December 2004 a heavy seaquake took place near the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Tidal waves 10 meters in height ravaged the coastal regions ofmany countries for miles around. The tsunami took the lives of thousands of people and destroyed many villages and towns. There are more areas which run the risk of being struck by a tsunami such as the island of La Palma one of the Canary Islands. This island is based on oceanic crust at a fracture zone and as such is one of nature’s time bombs. The consequences of a natural calamity like a megatsunami are immense. In the case of La Palma the tidal wave will move in the direction of South America where it may reach 50 km inland destroying everything on its way. In his composition Wittrock describes an ordinary day which will have an unexpected ending. Right from the beginning there seems to be something in the air the music creating an oppressive atmosphere of impending disaster. Themes are interrupted broken off suddenly followed by silence suggesting the calm before the storm. Suddenly a short climax (glissandi in the trombone part) indicates the seaquake and the megatsunami is a fact. Hereafter follows a turbulent passage symbolising the huge rolling waves. After nature’s force has spent itself resignation sets in and the composition ends with a majestic ode to nature.

For thousands of years amid turmoil and grandeur the Nile River has remained a stable and life-giving presence in the land of Egypt. Michael Sweeney hints at sounds from these ancient times as he depicts dances of celebration awe-inspiring pyramids invasions and conquest over foreign armies. Brief solos with delicate accompaniments counterbalance bold themes and powerful percussion statements in this substantial work for young bands. An element ofrhythmic vitality is pervasive throughout representing the steady and constant flow of this mighty river of life.

The weather inspired Albert Dam to compose Weather Report. The three parts Windy (rock) Misty (ballad) and Sunny (calypso) want to make us believe that the weather will be changeable. Stable or not the music is solid as a rock. Het weer inspireerde Albert Dam tot het schrijven van Weather Report. De drie delen Windy (rock) Misty (ballad) en Sunny (calypso) willen ons doen geloven dat het weer afwisselend zal zijn. Stabiel of niet de muziek staat als een huis! Dit werk is opgenomen in het Klein repertorium harmonie - 5e divisie

from West Side Story-From one of the greatest musicals of all time here is Bernstein's ever-popular Mambo in a carefully adapted and edited version that reduces some of the extreme technical demands of the original. This arrangement is notated in cut time for ease of reading and is scored a third lower. However none of the authenticity or energy has been altered resulting in a stunning showcase for concert or festival or even an encore.

Here is the moving anthem from the movie We Were Soldiers as performed during Ronald Reagan's funeral service. Combine this with choir and strings for a truly impressive and powerful production.

David Well composed 'Frida's Whiskers' in commemoration of his own cat who met an untimely end. Frida (whose real name was 'Godefrida van Coopersburg thoe Nieuwenhuys') was a lively creature who led a playful and uncomplicated life. She used to sleep in her basket for hours but when she woke up she upset the entire house and its furnishing. Curtains were inspected from top to bottom and flower pots fell from window-sills just like that! Outside in the open air she was in her element. She used to frolic bouncing into the air. After such playful moods she would return to her basket tired but satisfied where being the cleanly cat that shewas she subjected her entire body whiskers included to a thorough wash.

(Concert Opener)-We Meet Again is a regal overture for developing bands that evolves from a powerful fanfare into a fugue-like allegro section building to a glorious ending. This concise concert opener will excite young musicians the firsttime through the piece and keep them intrigued with each repetition. Commissioned by the Waller (TX) Jr. High Band and premiered at the 2009 National Concert Band Festival. Dur: 1:50 (Grade 2.5)

Combine an aggressive percussion undercurrent along with powerful riffs clapping stomping and other noisy effects and you have a marvelous extravaganza sure to be enjoyed by players and listeners alike! A slower yet emotionally-charged middle section provides contrast before a Celtic-influenced final segment drives to a rhythmic and dynamic finish.

Written for the 1973 movie of the same name starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford this iconic ballad went on to win an Oscar for Best Original Song and to become a popular standard recorded by countless artists. Nicelyarranged for the concert stage. Dur: 2:40

In Theme Park Fun! your orchestra pays a visit to an amusement park. During your visit you will experience some spectacular rides and attractions this theme park offers. The uniqueness of Theme Park Fun! is the interplay between music and(moving) images. Animations and illustrations support the visual composition.Part 1: The Entrance & Parade [with animation]The opening of the park is a fact. A day full of fun and pleasure awaits! You and the other visitors willbe confronted with all the rides attractions and adventures the theme park has to offer. Which ride shall we do first?! There is so much to do and experience on this day in the park! A parade of colorful floats and park figures is passing by.Letthe fun begin!Part 2: The Haunted House [with animation]The only ride in the park that is not related to fun is the Haunted House. Here visitors will be challenged to visit a house full of ghosts creepy figures and otherominous things. The clock strikes twelve there is no turning back. Ghosts are whispering yelling screaming... Fortunately it is almost one oclock so we can leave this creepy place quickly.Part 3: The Swinging Galleon [withillustrations]What a huge pirate ship! Each time you swing back and forth you will feel that weird feeling in your stomach. When you are thrown completely into the top you will have a fantastic view over the park but you can not enjoy itfor long. Before you know the ship swings back the other way.Part 4: The Fairy Tale Ride [with illustrations]After all those exciting and spectacular rides and attractions it is time for a peaceful tour in The Fairy Tale Ride.Surrounded by a fairytale setting you will discover fable figures talking animals and colorful designs. Such a beauty and tranquility. Having had this experience we are ready again for the big rides in the park!Part 5: The Bumper Cars[with illustrations]Now its time to crawl behind the wheel of the Bumper Cars! Shall we all chase the conductor?! Before you know you are hit by another visitor or you will bump against someone else. In this tough ride you can prove yourselfas a real driver or perhaps as a really bad one.Part 6: The Roller Coaster [with illustrations]The largest fastest and scariest ride in the park ... we should definitely do the Roller Coaster! All together in the train theover-the-shoulder restraints are lowering... be ready to ride. The train leaves the station and is heading for the big lift hill. It will be very scary when the train reaches the top and the train will be plunged down the first drop! Loops corkscrews and other spectacular coaster elements will follow... Before you know it the ride of your life is over. Shall we ride it again?!Part 7: Leaving the Park [with animation]Unfortunately everything comes to an end. Thisday in the theme park is over but we have a lot new ex

Commissioned for the Wisconsin Lutheran High School's centennial year this expansive work incorporates the Welsh folk song ?The Ash Grove? in a lush and varied treatment. The main melody played first by horns andbaritone returns near the end in a glorious fully orchestrated chorale. In between is a beautiful secondary theme played by oboe and flute soloists followed by a dramatic fugal section. A musically rewarding and effective piece.(6:00)