SKU: MH.1-59913-054-8

ISBN 9781599130545.

Royal Coronation Dances is the first sequel to the Fanfare Ode & Festival, both being settings of dance music originally arranged by Gervaise in the mid 16th-century (the next sequel is The Renaissance Fair, which uses music of Susato and Praetorius). Fanfare Ode & Festival has been performed by many tens of thousands of students, both in high school and junior high school. I have heard that some of them are amazed that the music they are playing was first played and danced to over 400 years ago. Some students tend to think that music started with Handel and his Messiah to be followed by Beethoven and his Fifth Symphony, with naught in between or before of consequence. Although Royal Coronation Dances is derived from the same source as Fanfare Ode & Festival, they are treated in different ways. I envisioned this new suite programmatically -- hence the descriptive movement titles, which I imagined to be various dances actually used at some long-ago coronation. The first movement depicts the guests, both noble and common, flanked by flag and banner bearers, arriving at the palace to view the majestic event. They are festive, their flags swirling the air, their cloaks brightly colored. In the second movement, the queen in stately measure moves to take her place on the throne as leader and protector of the realm. In the third movement, the jesters of the court entertain the guests with wild games of sport. Musically, there are interesting sonorities to recreate. Very special attention should be given to the tambourine/tenor drum part in the first movement. Their lively rhythms give the movement its power. Therefore they should be played as distinctly and brilliantly as possible. The xylophone and glockenspiel add clarity, but must not be allowed to dominate. Observe especially the differing dynamics; the intent is to allow much buzzing bass to penetrate. The small drum (starting at meas. 29) should be played expressively, with attention to the notated articulations, with the brass light and detached, especially in a lively auditorium. It is of some further interest that the first dance is extremely modal. The original is clearly in G mixolydian mode (scale: G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G). However, other editors might put in F-sharps in many places (changing the piece almost to G major), in the belief that such ficta would have been automatically put in by the 16th-century performers as they played. I doubt it. I have not only eschewed these within the work, but even at the cadences. So this arrangement is most distinctly modal (listen to the F-naturals in meas. 22 and 23, for instance), with all the part-writing as Gervaise wrote it. In the second movement, be careful that things do not become too glued together. In the 16th century this music might have been played by a consort of recorders, instruments very light of touch and sensitive to articulation. Concert band can easily sound heavy, and although this movement has been scored for tutti band, it must not sound it. It is essential, therefore, that you hear all the instruments, with none predominating. Only when each timbre can be heard separately and simultaneously will the best blend occur, and consequently the greatest transparency. So aim for a transparent, spacious tutti sound in this movement. Especially have the flutes, who do this so well, articulate rather sharply, so as to produce a chiffing sound, and do not allow the quarter-notes to become too tied together in the entire band. The entrance of the drums (first tenor, then bass) are events and as such should be audible. Incidentally, this movement begins in F Major and ends in D Minor: They really didn't care so much about those things then. The third movement (one friend has remarked that it is the most Margolisian of the bunch, but actually I am just getting subtler, I hope) again relies upon the percussion (and the scoring) to make its points. Xylophone in this movement is meant to be distinctly audible. Therefore, be especially sure that the xylophone player is secure in the part, and also that the tambourine and toms sound good. This movement must fly or it will sink, so rev up the band and conduct it in 1 for this mixolydian jesting. I suppose the wildly unrelated keys (clarinets and then brass at the end) would be a good 16th-century joke, but to us, our put-up-the-chorus-a-half-step ears readily accept such shenanigans. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Full Score, 1 Piccolo, 4 Flute 1, 4 Flute 2 & 3, 2 Oboe 1 & 2, 2 Bassoon 1 & 2, 1 Eb Clarinet, 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 2 Eb Alto Clarinet, 1 Eb Contra Alto Clarinet, 3 Bb Bass & Bb Contrabass Clarinet, 2 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 2 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 2 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Trumpet 1, 3 Bb Trumpet 2, 3 Bb Trumpet 3, 4 Horn in F 1 & 2, 2 Trombone 1, 4 Trombone 2 & 3, 3 Euphonium (B.C.), 2 Euphonium (T.C.), 4 Tuba, 1 String Bass, 1 Timpani (optional), 2 Xylophone & Glockenspiel, 5 Percussion.

SKU: HL.50601575

ISBN 9781540040084. UPC: 888680896676. 9.0x12.0x0.059 inches.

According to legend, Tolenas Springs, in Solano County, CA was once known as The Land of the Healing Waters due to the restorative powers of the water. This beautiful descriptive work begins with a slow, lyrical melody reminiscent of the flowing water, followed with the music evolving into a faster, heroic theme stated by the brass. The piece culminates in a riveting conclusion suggesting the healing waters washing over us. (Grade 4) Dur: 4:30.

SKU: CL.CTS-8059-01

The original of this arrangement continues to be one of Claude T. Smith’s most performed works. The opening theme sparkles with rhythmic energy and harmonic structure that never grow old. The Andante section is a beautiful contrast to the main theme occurring in neighboring sections. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as thirteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CL.CTS-8029-01

God of Our Fathers is based on the hymn with the same name and is one of the most iconic American Christian hymns dating back to the 19th-century. Claude T. Smith’s concert band arrangement of this hymn has become a staple of band literature. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as fourteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: HL.44007325

UPC: 884088245221. 9.0x12.0x0.173 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

Colorado Springs was commissioned by the United States Air Force Academy Band, Lieutenant Steve Grimo, Commmander/Conductor. Colorado Springs, home of the USAF Academy, is set in spectacular landscape towards the southern end of the Rocky Mountains and is a popular tourist resort for skiing and hiking. The Academy plays an important part in the life of the area and serves as a base for the USAFA Band, one of the professional bands forming part of the musical life of the U.S. Air Force. The suite is in three movements: 1. The Springs (fanfare) - The Springs is the local residents' name for the town, and this first movement starts with a stirring fanfare for brass and percussion, opening with bold unison horns. The rest of the brass join in and woodwind add decorative figures. After a short change of style, the opening material reappears to close the movement. 2. Seven Falls - Seven Falls is a spectacular waterfall near to the town which cascades 181 feet in seven distinct steps down a solid cliff of pikes peak granite. In this movement, high woodwinds describe the sparkling water as it descends to a popular lookout post near the bottom of the falls. 3. Pikes Peak - To the north-west of the town and reaching an altitude 14,110 feet, Pikes Peak is the farthest east of the big peaks in the Rocky Mountain chain, which contributed to its early fame among explorers and pioneers, and made it the symbol of the 1859 Gold Rush to Colorado with the slogan, Pikes Peak or Bust. It is the second-most visited mountain in the world behind Japan's Mount Fuji. This atmospheric movement describes the majesty of the mountain and is based around the fanfare from the first movement. Opening on a solitary bassoon, it is not long before the main theme appears under bubbling woodwinds. The music reaches a passionate climax at which point the opening fanfare reappears to bring the whole work to a close.

SKU: CF.CPS226F

ISBN 9781491153208. UPC: 680160910700.

Inspired by the memory of an influential music educator, Carol Brittin Chambers has woven a multitude of grooves, colors, and uplifting themes into To Create a Voice. Chambers has attempted to convey distinct moods and emotions that this educator tried to instill in his students. In honor of this dynamic teacher, you will hear Hot Cross Buns cleverly placed throughout the composition.
To Create a Voice was commissioned by the Valley Concert Band in Stockton, California. The piece premiered in October 2017, in memory and celebration of Chris Anderson, a local musician and educator.When writing this piece, I tried to convey certain moods and emotions throughout: soulful at the beginning with calm woodwind chords and solo trombone; increased energy throughout the various sections of the piece; exploration of different grooves and colors; an uplifting, emotional ending that leaves the listener with a sense of how positive and loving Chris was.This piece is largely inspired by a specific quote from Chris:Most people would consider the sounds students first make on their instruments to be cringe-worthy, but to me that’s music to my ears, because that’s the first time students put a voice to their instrument. Over time those voices become stronger; they become clear, more confident, and get to a point where they use those voices to communicate with each other, and to their audiences.To relate to the first notes on the instrument idea, I used motifs based on the first notes most beginners ever play, do-re-mi, which are introduced at the beginning of the piece with the trombone solo, Chris’ instrument. During the section at m. 15, the brass introduce a chorale that I named Chris’ Theme while the woodwinds keep reminding us of do-re-mi. Later in the piece (mm. 71 and 79), I use these notes again, but in reverse, which becomes a reference to the first song most beginners learn, Hot Cross Buns. This section is also meant to portray Chris’ quirky and joking side. In mm. 75 and 83, Chris’ Theme presents itself again a couple of times in response to Hot Cross Buns.Toward the end, at the uplifting moment (m. 97), do-re-mi is heard again, but this time in harmony with mi-fa-sol. This represents the ultimate satisfaction we all feel as musicians when we have finally progressed enough to play in harmony with others. The half-time feeling in 3 at that moment also has significance, relating (rhythmically) to those important three notes again.I really hope you enjoy performing and listening to this piece as much as I have enjoyed creating it!

SKU: CL.CTS-8063-01

Claude T. Smith’s setting of For The Beauty Of The Earth as this chorale prelude develops the original hymn by Conrad Kocher. It celebrates our beautiful Earth, the skies above us, and the joy of loving one another. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as nine musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: HL.44012271

UPC: 888680057664. English-German-French-Dutch.

Looking Up, Moving On was commissioned by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and was part of a tour programme they gave in May 2012, a tour which included many areas that had been devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.The theme of the piece is the powerful ability of mankind to overcome such disasters and look forward to a positive future; it opens in an appropriately optimistic mood, featuring bright orchestral colours and extensive syncopation. A chorale-like fanfare is soon introduced on horns and euphonium, answered by chirpy woodwinds. The mood subsides until an alto saxophone introduces a brief quotation from the composer's The Sun Will RiseAgain, which was written to raise funds for victims of the 2011 disaster. The mood soon changes and the horns introduce a noble theme under woodwind flourishes. This leads to the main Vivo section of the piece which is characterised again by strong syncopations as part of a florid theme in the low woodwinds. This melody undergoes varied development by all sections of the band until the horn fanfare returns triumphally on the brass. This is extended and leads to a faster coda which brings together previous material in counterpoint to close the work in optimistic mood.

Looking Up, Moving On is gecomponeerd in opdracht van het Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. Het werk maakte deel uit van een programma uit mei 2012, dat werd uitgevoerd tijdens een tournee waarbij veel regio's werden bezocht die waren verwoest door de aardbeving en tsunami van 2011.Het thema van het werk is het buitengewone vermogen van de mens om dergelijke rampen te boven te komen en vooruit te kijken naar een positieve toekomst. De opening is dan ook optimistisch van karakter, met heldere orkestrale kleuren en een rijkelijke syncopering. Al snel wordt er een koraalachtige fanfare geintroduceerd door de hoorns en het euphonium, waarop een levendig antwoord volgt in dehoutblazerssectie. De sfeer wordt dan steeds kalmer totdat een altsaxofoon een kort citaat laat horen uit een eerder werk van de componist, The Sun Will Rise Again, dat werd geschreven om geld in te zamelen voor de slachtoffers van de ramp uit 2011. De stemming slaat vlug weer om: de hoorns introduceren een nobel thema, dat weerklinkt onder versieringen in het hout. Dit leidt naar het Vivo, het hoofdgedeelte, dat eveneens wordt gekenmerkt door sterke syncoperingen, als onderdeel van een sierlijk thema in het lage hout. De melodie ondergaat een gevarieerde ontwikkeling binnen alle secties van het orkest, totdat de hoornfanfare op triomfantelijke wijze terugkeert in het koper. De fanfare wordt vervolgens verder uitgewerkt en voert ons mee naar een snellere coda, die voorafgaand materiaal in contrapunt samenbrengt en de compositie in optimistische stemming afsluit.

Looking Up, Moving Down wurde vom Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra in Auftrag gegeben und war Teil des Konzertprogramms einer Tour im Mai 2012, welche viele Gebiete einschloss, die vom Erdbeben und Tsunami im Jahr 2011 zerstort worden waren. Thema dieses Stuckes ist die gewaltige Fahigkeit der Menschheit, uber solche Katastrophen hinwegzukommen und voll Optimismus in die Zukunft zu blicken; es beginnt dementsprechend in einer positiven Stimmung mit strahlenden Orchesterfarben und einer ausgepragten Synkopierung. Schon bald wird eine choralartige Fanfare auf den Hornern und im Euphonium vorgestellt, die von munteren Holzblasern beantwortet wird. Die Stimmung flaut ab, bis einAltsaxophon ein kurzes Zitat aus The Sun Will Rise Again anspielt, das der Komponist zur Spendenbeschaffung fur die Opfer des Unglucks 2011 geschrieben hatte. Kurz darauf folgt ein Stimmungswechsel und die Horner prasentieren ein stattliches Thema, begleitet von Fanfaren in den Holzblasern. Dies fuhrt zum mit Vivo uberschriebenen Hauptteil des Stuckes, der wiederum von starken Synkopierungen gepragt ist, die Teil eines bluhenden Themas in den tiefen Holzblasern sind. Diese Melodie durchlauft eine vielgestaltige Entwicklung durch alle Instrumentengruppen des Blasorchesters, bis das Blech mit der Hornfanfare triumphal zuruckkehrt. Dies wird erweitert und fuhrt zu einer schnelleren Coda, in dem verschiedenes zuvor gehortes Material kontrapunktisch zusammenkommt, um das Werk in einer optimistischen Stimmung zu beenden.

Looking Up, Moving On est une commande du Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. Cette piece faisait partie du programme de la tournee effectuee par l'orchestre en mai 2012, qui s'est produit dans de nombreuses regions devastees par le tremblement de terre et le tsunami de 2011.La composition a pour theme l'immense capacite humaine a surmonter de telles catastrophes et envisager l'avenir de facon positive. Elle debute justement dans un climat optimiste comportant de vives couleurs orchestrales et des passages syncopes. Les cors et les euphonium introduisent bientot une fanfare en forme de choral a laquelle repondent des bois petillants. L'ambiance s'apaise jusqu'a ce qu'unsaxophone alto introduise un court extrait de The Sun Will Rise Again, du meme compositeur, une piece ecrite pour collecter des fonds en faveur des victimes du desastre de 2011. Le climat change hativement lorsque les cors introduisent un theme noble par-dessus des fioritures executees par les bois. Vient ensuite la principale section vivo de la piece, qui se caracterise, encore une fois, par des syncopes tres marquees dans le cadre d'un theme fleuri assure dans le registre grave des bois. Cette melodie fait l'objet de divers developpements par tous les pupitres de l'orchestre jusqu'au retour triomphant de la fanfare soutenue par les cuivres. Celle-ci se prolonge pour mener a une coda plus rapide qui rassemble les elements precedents en contrepoint pour clore la piece dans un climat optimiste.

SKU: CN.S11242

Scenes from an English Landscape is a brief nostalgic tone poem taking its inspiration from visions of rural England as depicted in the paintings of John Constable, the novels of Thomas Hard, and the music of Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams. A chorale-like theme is stated in the brass and then taken up at three times the tempo in the woodwinds. At the end of the work, both versions of the theme are stated together to bring the piece to a triumphant climax.

This is a brief nostalgic tone poem taking its inspiration from visions of rural England as depicted in the paintings of John Constable, the novels of Thomas Hard, and the music of Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams. I imagined a community of villagers coming out of church and filling a village square with their vibrant presence. A chorale-like theme is stated in the brass and then taken up at three times the tempo in the woodwinds. At the end o the work, both versions of the theme are stated together to bring the piece to a triumphant climax. Adam Gorb was born in Cardiff and started composing at the age of ten. His first work broadcast on national radio was written when he was fifteen. He studied at Cambridge University (1977-1980) and the Royal Academy of Music (1991-1993) where he graduated with the highest honours including the Principal's Prize. He has been on the staff at the London College of Music and Media, the junior Academy of the Royal Academy of Music and, since 2000 he has been the Head of School of Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester . International recognition came in 1994 with the US Walter Beeler Prize for his work Metropolis . With it began what has developed into probably the most important wind ensemble catalogue by a contemporary composer, ranging from extremely challenging to the most accessible, at all technical levels, seized on by players internationally, widely recorded and now absolutely central to the world's wind repertoire. Equally important though are his works for dance, and concert pieces like the chamber orchestral Weimar , the Violin Sonata , a Clarinet Concerto for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Diaspora for strings (for the Goldberg Ensemble). Deceptively mainstream at first glance, they display the same inventive brilliance, pulsating sound world, striking use of rhythm and an undogmatic absence of stylistic hang-ups to embrace jazz and serialism in works where power, poetry, irony and pathos, often underlaid by a theatrical and deeply subversive element, coalesce in an integrated, highly individual musical voice. Gorb is also not afraid to draw on the vivid musical heritage of his Jewish roots, sometimes directly, often in a more subsumed or radically creative way. The crucial and consistent feature of Gorb's work though is that it communicates strongly without patronizing players or audiences. He firmly believes that if contemporary music - any music - does not impact on listeners then its message is irrelevant; it is lost.

SKU: CL.CTS-8003-01

America The Beautiful continues to be an expression of patriotism at its finest. It conveys an attitude of appreciation and gratitude for the nation's extraordinary physical beauty and abundance, without triumphalism. Claude T. Smith’s arrangement of this masterpiece generates a fresh take on this song reviving the hope we share for our dear America. This flexible arrangement allows ensembles to perform the work with as few as thirteen musicians providing accessibility and flexibility for numerous instrumentation needs, while still allowing a full ensemble sound. *The posted recording is based on the full band scoring but aligns with the suggested preferences for either woodwinds/strings or brass suggested in the score.

SKU: CF.SPS78F

ISBN 9781491153239. UPC: 680160910731.

Festival March is presented in a new edition arranged by Richard Summers. It is a tour de force composition for advanced bands and hearkens back to a bygone era during the golden age of the band movement. Directors and students will hear operatic music from composer Victor Herbert who is best known for his Christmas classic, Toyland. This is a richly scored masterpiece that deserves to return to standard status in concert band repertoire. We are proud to bring you this new setting of this cherished classic.
About the CompositionFestival March by Victor Herbert was written for the Pittsburgh Symphony and first performed under Herbert’s direction in Chicago on Dec. 9, 1901 celebrating the 12th anniversary of Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. Also known as the Auditorium Festival March, he included it many times for programs of a festival nature. The main theme Auld Lang Syne, a famous Scottish folk song, is incorporated many times along with brass fanfares, interludes and march melodies. This band arrangement is very similar to the original orchestral composition. The missing string parts, the addition of the saxophone section and other band instruments, editing of the superimposed triplets against sixteenth notes, to one or the other, and articulations suitable for the band, were major challenges. The style of early twentieth-century American music is captured here. This arrangement will give band musicians access to a fine piece of music that could only be appreciated by orchestra musicians up to now. Although suitable for many occasions, this piece is a great way to begin or end a December holiday concert.  Notes to the ConductorVictor Herbert’s music can be interpreted in a romantic style, which is the conductor’s responsibility to read in nuance and musicality. The beginning and other triple-tonguing sections of this piece have a March of the Toys quality to it.  The interludes and Auld Lang Syne sections are legato and musical. The March sections can also be shaped musically.About the ComposerVictor Herbert was born in Ireland in 1861 and raised in Germany. When he moved to America in 1886, he joined the Metropolitan Opera as principal cellist and eventually composed many works including forty-three operettas on Broadway from the 1890s to World War I, including Naughty Marietta and Babes in Toyland. Victor Herbert conducted the Pittsburgh Symphony from 1898 to 1904 and then was the conductor of his own Victor Herbert Orchestra. He formed ASCAP with a group of composers in 1914 and was the director until his death in 1924. Among his thirty-one compositions for orchestra, Festival March was a favorite of his and was eventually published by Carl Fischer Music.  .