SKU: CF.BPS122F

ISBN 9781491152768. UPC: 680160910267.

As the title implies, this piece is written in a contemplative manner for beginning students.  It is a good piece to demonstrate basic compositional techniques that the students will be able identify easily in the piece. It begins with a lush opening section with an elegant melody to work on musicianship. This is contrasted by the uptempo section of the piece based on the same basic musical material, but in a varied style and frolicking feel. A very satisfying piece for beginning wind players.
Contemplation: the action to look thoughtfully at something for a long time.When composing music that will be used with younger students, I want to stimulate thoughtfulness in them. In this particular piece I want the students to be able to stretch their musicianship beyond their experience on their instruments to play in a contemplative manner. To me, this is the essence of musical playing in an emotional and thoughtful way. It is something that cannot be stressed enough, even in students that have just begun to play. As soon as possible, they should be asked to put themselves into the music and make it more than the notes and rhythms on the page.This piece is my attempt to provide very young students, who are just beginning their musical journey, with something they can reach technically, but have to stretch for musically. The amount of notes and rhythms is limited, but students should strive for beauty of tone, good phrasing and emotional involvement.After a short introduction, the heartfelt main theme begins at a lyrical and slow tempo. This is developed with the addition of a secondary theme, featuring the lower voices, before the piece leads to an Allegro section that is based on the same musical material with a difference in tempo and a variation in rhythm patterns. The piece can serve to show students that the same basic music can have an entirely different emotional connection with differences in tempo, rhythm and style, with the first section of the piece being sentimental and the faster section being more joyous in nature.  As with all of my pieces for younger students, it is completely acceptable to me for you to adjust the tempo to fit the educational needs of your students.It has been my pleasure to have the opportunity to write this piece. I hope you and your students enjoy it and find it useful for your program.—Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2018.

SKU: CF.PPS51

ISBN 9781491151952. UPC: 680160909452.

The march style is important to the heritage of the modern concert band. Why not get beginners off to a great start by teaching them this essential band style as early as possible? Achieve uses only the first six notes of the Bb-major scale and utilizes two repeated eighth notes as the most difficult rhythm. It is written in traditional march form and style, but without modulation in the trio.
The march style is important to the heritage of the modern concert band, and it is my opinion that even the youngest of students should be taught the march style and form as early as possible. This march sets out to give these students that opportunity. It uses only the first six notes of the Bb-major scale, and the most difficult rhythm is two repeated eighth notes. Yet it has all of the traditional march form and style. The form of this easy march is the traditional intro, first strain, second strain and trio. The only difference from more challenge marches is that the key does not change to the subdominant at the trio. Most everything else is the same as you would find in the American marches of Sousa, Fillmore or King.The march begins forte with a quote from the end of the second strain, something that is common in many marches. This is followed by the first strain at a softer dynamic level. Additional voices are added on the repeat for variety. The second strain has tradition changes in dynamics, first starting out loud, then getting soft with crescendos to the end of the strain. The trio following again in typical fashion with the first time being very soft and legato. There are some suggestions for changing the orchestration, but you can use your creativity to tailor the instrumentation to your musical taste. The repeat of the trio should then be back to a more marcato march style. This should start with the last note of the first ending in m. 70. The march then ends with the traditional stinger.It is my opinion that in marches with this form that the repeats should not be eliminated. By doing so, it changes the form and makes the march lopsided, with the first half of the marching being too short compared to the trio section.It has been my pleasure to have the opportunity to write this piece. I hope you and your students enjoy it and find it useful for your program.—Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2018.

SKU: FJ.B1234S

English.

You'll be surprised to know that this great sounding work uses only six notes in all instruments, with the exception of the clarinets, which also use a low written B to involve the right hand. The piece has a Renaissance quality to it and includes a middle processional theme (at the same tempo) to work on legato playing. Optional parts are included for clarinet 2 and trumpet 2. There is something for everyone in this dynamic addition to the repertoire!

About FJH Beginning Band

Appropriate within the first year of instruction and beginning of the second year. Clarinets do not go above the break, and there is limited use of accidentals. Plenty of doublings in the lower voices. Grade 1.

SKU: XC.HCB2307FS

If you are looking for something different in your march selection this year, look no further than William Owens’ new work New Era March. It is more of a regal march than the standard American march form. Built on a well-crafted theme, this march will make a lasting impression at festival or in concert performances.

SKU: AP.47375S

ISBN 9781470653156. UPC: 038081541860. English.

A flash point is described as a point at which someone or something bursts suddenly into action or being. Introducing accented, staccato, and legato articulations, all instruments get an opportunity to play one of the contrasting themes. With a variety of teaching opportunities, this exciting and punctuated composition is a welcome addition to any program. (1:45).

SKU: XC.HCB1907FS

UPC: 812598031324. 9 x 12 inches.

Robert Thurston’s Tower of Inspiration has something of interest for every young performer in your ensemble. A stately fanfare sets up a noble ceremonial march theme, and softer interludes provide dynamic and textural contrast. Throughout, the players will find the inner lines to be as engaging as the melodies they’re supporting. Tower of Inspiration can open or close your beginning band program, or fill any slot in between!

SKU: XC.DCB2407

9 x 12 inches.

This new ballad from composer Larry Clark is written perfectly for the beginning concert band. Engaging parts and lines across the ensemble will make this one they ask to play over and over. Whether for contest/festival or regular performance, Emerald Sky has something for everyone.

SKU: AP.41928S

UPC: 038081482521. English.

A bold concert or graduation march! Minimal eighth notes, careful doubling, and only six pitches help beginners and ensembles with incomplete instrumentation sound their best. Give your aspiring musicians something exciting to achieve! (2:35) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

SKU: AP.44978S

ISBN 9781470663377. UPC: 038081517667. English.

Predators of the Deep depicts one's primal inner fears of entering deep water and the awareness that there just may be something lurking below the surface seeking out its next prey. This exciting and programmatic work will captivate the imagination of your audience and students and will make a great starter or finishing piece for your next concert. (2:05).

SKU: CL.RWS-2327-00

Get your band ready to rock and roll with Ostirock! Within the limited ranges that suit very beginning players, every instrument in the band has something fun and stimulating to play. Suitable for a first concert, Ostirock will have the audience bobbing heads, tapping feet, and raising a light!