SKU: PR.465000130

ISBN 9781598064070. UPC: 680160600144. 9x12 inches.

Following a celebrated series of wind ensemble tone poems about national parks in the American West, Dan Welcher’s Upriver celebrates the Lewis & Clark Expedition from the Missouri River to Oregon’s Columbia Gorge, following the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Welcher’s imaginative textures and inventiveness are freshly modern, evoking our American heritage, including references to Shenandoah and other folk songs known to have been sung on the expedition. For advanced players. Duration: 14’.
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Corps of Discovery to find a water route to the Pacific and explore the uncharted West. He believed woolly mammoths, erupting volcanoes, and mountains of pure salt awaited them. What they found was no less mind-boggling: some 300 species unknown to science, nearly 50 Indian tribes, and the Rockies.Ihave been a student of the Lewis and Clark expedition, which Thomas Jefferson called the “Voyage of Discovery,” for as long as I can remember. This astonishing journey, lasting more than two-and-a-half years, began and ended in St. Louis, Missouri — and took the travelers up more than a few rivers in their quest to find the Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean. In an age without speedy communication, this was akin to space travel out of radio range in our own time: no one knew if, indeed, the party had even survived the voyage for more than a year. Most of them were soldiers. A few were French-Canadian voyageurs — hired trappers and explorers, who were fluent in French (spoken extensively in the region, due to earlier explorers from France) and in some of the Indian languages they might encounter. One of the voyageurs, a man named Pierre Cruzatte, also happened to be a better-than-average fiddle player. In many respects, the travelers were completely on their own for supplies and survival, yet, incredibly, only one of them died during the voyage. Jefferson had outfitted them with food, weapons, medicine, and clothing — and along with other trinkets, a box of 200 jaw harps to be used in trading with the Indians. Their trip was long, perilous to the point of near catastrophe, and arduous. The dream of a Northwest Passage proved ephemeral, but the northwestern quarter of the continent had finally been explored, mapped, and described to an anxious world. When the party returned to St. Louis in 1806, and with the Louisiana Purchase now part of the United States, they were greeted as national heroes.Ihave written a sizeable number of works for wind ensemble that draw their inspiration from the monumental spaces found in the American West. Four of them (Arches, The Yellowstone Fires, Glacier, and Zion) take their names, and in large part their being, from actual national parks in Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. But Upriver, although it found its voice (and its finale) in the magnificent Columbia Gorge in Oregon, is about a much larger region. This piece, like its brother works about the national parks, doesn’t try to tell a story. Instead, it captures the flavor of a certain time, and of a grand adventure. Cast in one continuous movement and lasting close to fourteen minutes, the piece falls into several subsections, each with its own heading: The Dream (in which Jefferson’s vision of a vast expanse of western land is opened); The Promise, a chorale that re-appears several times in the course of the piece and represents the seriousness of the presidential mission; The River; The Voyageurs; The River II ; Death and Disappointment; Return to the Voyage; and The River III .The music includes several quoted melodies, one of which is familiar to everyone as the ultimate “river song,” and which becomes the through-stream of the work. All of the quoted tunes were either sung by the men on the voyage, or played by Cruzatte’s fiddle. From various journals and diaries, we know the men found enjoyment and solace in music, and almost every night encampment had at least a bit of music in it. In addition to Cruzatte, there were two other members of the party who played the fiddle, and others made do with singing, or playing upon sticks, bones, the ever-present jaw harps, and boat horns. From Lewis’ journals, I found all the tunes used in Upriver: Shenandoah (still popular after more than 200 years), V’la bon vent, Soldier’s Joy, Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier, Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy (a hymn sung to the tune “Beech Spring”) and Fisher’s Hornpipe. The work follows an emotional journey: not necessarily step-by-step with the Voyage of Discovery heroes, but a kind of grand arch. Beginning in the mists of history and myth, traversing peaks and valleys both real and emotional (and a solemn funeral scene), finding help from native people, and recalling their zeal upon finding the one great river that will, in fact, take them to the Pacific. When the men finally roar through the Columbia Gorge in their boats (a feat that even the Indians had not attempted), the magnificent river combines its theme with the chorale of Jefferson’s Promise. The Dream is fulfilled: not quite the one Jefferson had imagined (there is no navigable water passage from the Missouri to the Pacific), but the dream of a continental destiny.

SKU: KJ.JB104F

UPC: 8402704771.

Written to be included as the 4th movement to the multi-composer suite honoring the retirement of composer Jack Stamp. The folk song O Waly Waly is better known by its contemporary lyric The Water Is Wide, and happens to be one of Jack Stamp's favorite songs. Composer Timothy Broege puts his own imprint on the compositional style of the dedicatee, Jack Stamp.

About Kjos Concert Band Legacy

The Neil A. Kjos Music Company's legacy of producing superb literature for concert band spans its entire 80 year history. We're proud to honor that legacy by continuing to publish compositions of the utmost quality at all grade levels in the Kjos Concert Band Legacy series. Each composition is carefully selected and edited to provide the best in wind band literature by both celebrated and rising composers of today. Skillful engraving with logical page turns, measure numbers, rehearsal marks, essential cueing, and other useful indications ensure that the rehearsal process runs smoothly, so bands can focus on making great music.

SKU: CL.012-4992-01

Canadian composer Kenley Kristofferson was commissioned to write The Meeting Place, a work depicting the connection between people and the warmth and security of a shared space â?? in this case, the band room. The music celebrates these places which can feel like home, welcome all kinds of people, make them feel like a part of something bigger than themselves, and hold special power for us to feel safe and connected. With lush harmonies and song-like melodies, this ballad gives everyone in the band a chance to shine and contribute to a shared story about, for some of them, one of their most cherished spaces. Performers and audiences alike are sure to love this piece. Moving music!

SKU: CL.012-4937-00

May The Light Forever Shine by James Swearingen - Endless energy abounds with this exciting display of musical creativity from the pen of celebrated composer James Swearingen. You can be assured that every musician will be challenged to bring out the best of what their instrument has to offer. And when the opening section is completed, you’ll discover a beautiful solo featuring the alto saxophone. This heart-warming display of artistry will certainly leave everyone wanting for more. The final recap is best described as a dramatic conclusion to a most satisfying venture for musicians and audiences alike. Highly Energetic!

SKU: CF.CFD1

ISBN 9780825840357. UPC: 798408040352.

The Carl Fischer heritage of publishing fine band music has been a fact of music publishing almost since the firm's founding in 1872. With a huge and expanding repertoire to draw on, it is a logical step for Fischer to issue a series of compact discs of band music for sale. With this release, the Carl Fischer Media Group begins what we intend to be the annual release of a recording devoted to classic band music. Bleecker Street Records is the name of the label developed for this purpose and A Perfect Union is our first commercial CD. It contains first-rate performances of classic original works for upper grade band such as Canzona by Peter Mennin, editions of celebrated transcriptions such as Procession of the Nobles in an edition by Van Ragsdale of the classic Eric Leidzen arrangement of Rimsky Korsakov's original and Robert Foster's edition of Henry Fillmore's celebrated transcription of Von Suppé's Light Cavalry Overture. Also included are terrific pieces by Daron Aric Hagen, Larry Clark, Quincy C. Hilliard and Elliot Del Borgo. The performances by the Washington and show the music and the players to best advantage. This will be a recording to own and treasure. Winds under the inspired direction of Edward Petersen, are invigorating.

SKU: CL.023-4377-01

This famous melody from the Baroque period has been skillfully arranged for young band by Todd Phillips. Known also as The Prince of Denmark’s March and composed by Jeremiah Clarke, it is the most celebrated of the Trumpet Voluntary’s and is now accessible for your beginning band. A must have for your music library!

SKU: CF.CPS210F

ISBN 9781491153048. UPC: 680160910540.

A driving composition from Sean O'loughlin,?Commence!?begins with a spirited theme that oscillates between triple and duple meter. After developing into a heartfelt lush brass chorale, the lilting theme returns again. The composition concludes with a dramatic return of the B theme and a rousing finale. A beautiful piece,?Commence!?is a?strong choice for any contest or festival.

Commence! was commissioned by the Lynden High School Class 2017-2019 and the Lynden, WA Community, and is dedicated to Steve Herrick in celebration of his retirement. Mr. Herrick and I first collaborated on a commission in 2006, and I was immediately taken by the community and the music program in Lynden. It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the country and full of musical inspiration at every turn.

This piece is a loving tribute to Mr. Herrick and his amazing contribution to the students of Lynden for over thirty years. The music begins with a spirited section oscillating between 6/8 and 2/4 time. It should maintain a pulsing feeling throughout. The main melody appears at m. 25 and has a lilting, reminiscing quality to it. After some further development, it moves to a B-section at m. 41 with some warm brass passages. The woodwinds should soar over the top with their counter line. The lower voices take over the melody at m. 59. The harmony becomes more discordant at m. 71 with passages trading between the brass and woodwinds.

This tension releases into a slow section that features a flowing, heartfelt melody. This builds to the big moment at m. 112. The timpani ushers us back to the 6/8, 2/4 section. The melody is now accompanied by some flowing counterpoint at m. 153 which leads to the B-section again at m. 169. This time the woodwinds take the lead and the brass provide the counter line. A final big moment at m. 194 is the culmination and high point of the composition. A brief fast section puts a bow on the piece for a rousing finale.

Commence! was commissioned by the Lynden High School Class 2017-2019 and the Lynden, WA Community, and is dedicated to Steve Herrick in celebration of his retirement. Mr. Herrick and I first collaborated on a commission in 2006, and I was immediately taken by the community and the music program in Lynden. It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the country and full of musical inspiration at every turn.

This piece is a loving tribute to Mr. Herrick and his amazing contribution to the students of Lynden for over thirty years. The music begins with a spirited section oscillating between 6/8 and 2/4 time. It should maintain a pulsing feeling throughout. The main melody appears at m. 25 and has a lilting, reminiscing quality to it. After some further development, it moves to a B-section at m. 41 with some warm brass passages. The woodwinds should soar over the top with their counter line. The lower voices take over the melody at m. 59. The harmony becomes more discordant at m. 71 with passages trading between the brass and woodwinds.

This tension releases into a slow section that features a flowing, heartfelt melody. This builds to the big moment at m. 112. The timpani ushers us back to the 6/8, 2/4 section. The melody is now accompanied by some flowing counterpoint at m. 153 which leads to the B-section again at m. 169. This time the woodwinds take the lead and the brass provide the counter line. A final big moment at m. 194 is the culmination and high point of the composition. A brief fast section puts a bow on the piece for a rousing finale.