Duke Ellington's Take The 'A' Train for Wind Band. This piece is in the key of Ab.

L?AmĆ©ricain Duke Ellington (1889- 1974) a Ć©tĆ© pianiste chef d?orchestre compositeur et arrangeur et a connu un grand succĆØs. Son orchestre existe depuis des dizaines d?annĆ©es et a pu survivre grĆ¢ce aux Ć©normes tubes que ses collaborateurs et lui-m?me ont Ć©crits. Bon nombre de ces titres font aujourd?hui partie du rĆ©pertoire standard des jazzmen.Billy Strayhorn(1915- 1967) a rejoint l?orchestre en 1939 en qualitĆ© d?arrangeur et de compositeur et a notamment Ć©crit Take the A- train qui dĆØs 1941 devient la chanson favorite de l?orchestre. Il en existe d?ailleurs de nombreuses versions.Juan Tizol (1900- 1984 trombone Ć  pistons) a jouĆ© aux cĆ“tĆ©s de Duke Ellington pendantpratiquement toute sa carriĆØre et a composĆ© 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 sĆ©rie de classiques extraits du rĆ©pertoire du lĆ©gendaire orchestre. Certains titres laissent entendre des solistes avec en point d?orgue un solo de timbales sur C-Jam Blues. Ce solo peut Ć©ventuellement aussi ?tre improvisĆ©.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 crĆ©er un effet de swing cohĆ©rent. Le swing ne peut ?tre trop anguleux et peut varier d?un titre Ć  l?autre. Dans ?In a sentimental mood? par exemple la mĆ©lodie peut ?tre jouĆ©e de maniĆØre quasi rectiligne (classique) tandis que la section de rythme maintient le swing.

Composed by John Powell the exciting and emotionally powerful music from the DreamWorks film How to Train Your Dragon has taken on a life of its own. Here is an adaptation for younger bands by Johnnie Vinson that includesthe tender lyricism as well as dramatic heroic moments of the original.

Exploring a variety of treatments of the folk song The Minstrel Boy this concert march opens with the clarinets playing the main theme. After a brief interlude and key change the trumpets take the melody accompanied by abeautiful woodwind counterline which is followed by a strong final strain with the full band.

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

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

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)

A great new march in cut time from Robert Longfield one of America's brightest concert composers. The march begins in B and moves up to E at the trio strain. Modest ranges throughout. In your quest for that winning contest opener take a look at this excellent selection!

Composed for second year players Paul Murtha masterfully adapts the traditional military march form for young players. The first strain is carried by trumpets and upper woodwinds while the low brass take the lead on the second strain. After a brief percussion break the legato trio melody features the woodwind section. A call and response breakstrain is followed by the full band on the rousing finish. Keep the march alive with this marvelous piece! Dur: 2:50

Pacific Dreams describes the experience of Miguel a traveling composer from Spain who feeling somewhat alienated from his homeland is wandering through an area of Sydney known as The Rocks. At a small outdoor market in a typical street of this oldcolonial neighbourhood he discovers a print of William DeShazos painting 'Pacific Dreams' Portrayed in the painting is the surf of one of the exotic islands in the Pacific. Next with the impressive Sydney Harbour Bridge looming over the narrowstreets of The Rocks he envisions sultry Pacific beaches. Suddenly a theme he once composed about the lakes in Japan comes to him. Is it the Asian influences present in cosmopolitan Sydney that bring this theme to mind? Or perhaps the waters aroundSydney over which he could sail to Tahiti? He is uncertain. Could this same theme be used to create a new composition about his feelings for the metropolis Sydney? How then to work his Pacific Dreams into the mix? Miguel is certainly no fan ofHawaiian music. Mayby he could use the vocabularies of islands like Hawaii and Tahiti their beautiful vowel combinations being sung ad libitum by a mixed choir.With these ideas and his newly purchased print of 'Pacific Dreams' he boards the Metroat Circular Quay. He has a final glimpse of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House as the train races into the ground. On to the hotel! To work! He must compose!Maestoso : Miguel is impressed as he gazes upon the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And yet hewants to go away from this city. Away to an exotic island in the Pacific.Steady Rock : In the Rocks musicians are playing at a square. Miguel basks in the atmosphere but at the same time he is fantasizing about Hawaii and Tahiti.Andante Lamentoso :In his hotel room Miguel is feeling sad and lonely in this big city. He takes comfort in his 'Pacific Dreams'.Allegro : Miguel boards the boat that takes him from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay. In his mind he is traveling on to Hawaii. Or is ithome where the bolero is playing? He is pulled back to reality by the skyline of Sydney.

Comprehensive Band Method-The enhanced version of the world's leading instrumental method book Standard Of Excellence. This is a comprehensive band method in 3 parts which combines a strong performance-centred approach with music theory musichistory ear training listening composition improvisation and interdisciplinary and multicultural studies. With full colour drawings and colour-coding of important text the series helps to motivate and inform across the fullrange of band instruments. Enhanced CD features include 2 CDs of audio accompaniment recordings for all band exercises Interactive iPAS software for Windows or Mac takes students through the entire book andprovides numeric performance scores. Tuner and Metronome included with iPAS.

Comprehensive Band Method-The enhanced version of the world's leading instrumental method book Standard Of Excellence. This is a comprehensive band method in 3 parts which combines a strong performance-centred approach with music theory musichistory ear training listening composition improvisation and interdisciplinary and multicultural studies. With full colour drawings and colour-coding of important text the series helps to motivate and inform across the fullrange of band instruments. Enhanced CD features include 2 CDs of audio accompaniment recordings for all band exercises Interactive iPAS software for Windows or Mac takes students through the entire book andprovides numeric performance scores. Tuner and Metronome included with iPAS.

Comprehensive Band Method-The enhanced version of the world's leading instrumental method book Standard Of Excellence. This is a comprehensive band method in 3 parts which combines a strong performance-centred approach with music theory musichistory ear training listening composition improvisation and interdisciplinary and multicultural studies. With full colour drawings and colour-coding of important text the series helps to motivate and inform across the fullrange of band instruments. Enhanced CD features include 2 CDs of audio accompaniment recordings for all band exercises Interactive iPAS software for Windows or Mac takes students through the entire book andprovides numeric performance scores. Tuner and Metronome included with iPAS.

Comprehensive Band Method-The enhanced version of the world's leading instrumental method book Standard Of Excellence. This is a comprehensive band method in 3 parts which combines a strong performance-centred approach with music theory musichistory ear training listening composition improvisation and interdisciplinary and multicultural studies. With full colour drawings and colour-coding of important text the series helps to motivate and inform across the fullrange of band instruments. Enhanced CD features include 2 CDs of audio accompaniment recordings for all band exercises Interactive iPAS software for Windows or Mac takes students through the entire book andprovides numeric performance scores. Tuner and Metronome included with iPAS.