SKU: PR.46500013L

UPC: 680160600151. 11 x 14 inches.

I n 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clarks 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. I have 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. I have 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, doesnt 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 Jeffersons 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 Cruzattes 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), Vla bon vent, Soldiers Joy, Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier, Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy (a hymn sung to the tune Beech Spring) and Fishers 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 Jeffersons 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: AP.50862

ISBN 9781470666743. UPC: 038081585352. English.

The Quest of the Magi was one of the working titles for John Henry Hopkins Jr.'s famous carol, We Three Kings. Written in 1857 for a Christmas pageant in New York City, We Three Kings tells the tale of the Magis' journey to find a newly born king in a faraway land and the precious gifts they brought with them. This piece focuses more on the journey of following yonder star. Traveling across many countries in the first century was a perilous task, full of danger, thievery, and possible death, not to mention these men were traveling with some of the most precious and expensive cargo one could possess. This piece chronicles the magi acquiring myrrh, frankincense, and gold for their journey. Each treasure is represented by its own motif and woven into Hopkins' original carol. (2:45).

SKU: HL.44010429

UPC: 884088414603. 9.0x12.0x1.97 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

The piece traces key events in the life of Haakon the Good, later to become King Haakon I (ca. 921-960), who had been fostered by King Athelstan of England as part of a peace agreement made by his father (The Future King). The English king brought him up in the Christian religion and, on the news of his father's death, provided him with ships and men for an expedition against his half-brother Eirik Bloodaxe, who had been proclaimed king of Norway. On his arrival he travelled north (The Journey to Trondheim), where he began to gain the support of the landowners by promising to give up the rights of taxation his father had previously claimed. Elrik's sons allied themselves with the Danes, but were invariably defeated by Haakon, who was successful in everything he undertook except in his attempt to introduce Christianity to the country (The Missionary King), which aroused an opposition he did not feel strong enough to face. One of his most famous victories was The Battle of Rastarkalv (near Frei) in 955. By placing ten standards far apart along a low ridge (to give the impression his army was bigger than it actually was), he managed to fool Eirik's sons that they were outnumbered (the ten standards are represented by ten loud chords that begin in m. 420). The Danes fled and were slaughtered by Haakon's army.

SKU: CL.012-4440-75

Brimming with energy and anticipation, this musical adventure stirs up images of nature's most majestic landscapes and mountain ranges. The journey begins with a majestic call and response theme divided amongst the sections, chasing after one another. Lighter versions of the themes appear, signifying the discovery of a breathtaking view at the summit. The intensity and excitement builds, hinting that the adventure continues - or perhaps begins, Beyond the Summit..

SKU: CF.YPS186F

ISBN 9781491148082. UPC: 680160905584. 9 x 12 inches.

Journey of the Magi is a fantastical piece based on the well-known Christmas carol We Three Kings of Orient Are. After an introduction reflecting the nobility and Eastern origins of the travelers, there are three contrasting settings of the carol's verse and two of the chorus. The royal caravan then fades in to the distance as the three Kings continue their journey and search.

SKU: CF.YPS197F

ISBN 9781491152850. UPC: 680160910359.

Chase the Horizon is a musical journey depicting a lonesome cowboy riding on his horse, chasing the horizon. Composer John Pasternak has delivered a strong and musically rewarding piece for the young band. It begins with a nice legato section before setting off on the journey with a tuneful theme. The piece develops through several contrasting sections finishing in a dramatic conclusion.
This piece is a story of new beginnings. While writing this piece I pictured a lonely cowboy riding on his horse, chasing the horizon. The beginning for this piece should have a very legato feel except for the Xylophone part, which should use a very abrupt, staccato articulation. Measure 9 should take on a staccato and light feel. The feeling should remain light except for the instruments with the melody, who should play their parts with a more legato feel. Dynamics throughout this first section are crucial. All parts at m. 22 should play with a legato style with focus on the dynamics. The trumpet interjection at m. 25 should be played very light. At m. 32 there should be contrast with all the different styles of articulation. Measure 42 should not slow down too quickly as the group should not ever get slower than the tempo marking at m. 49.The slow section at m. 49 should be played soft with a legato style growing gradually through m. 61. The articulation at m. 61 should be short and staccato, and be careful not to rush. The sections with the melody here should contrast the staccato of the ensemble with a legato style. When the ensemble arrives at m. 78 the piece should have a maestoso-style feel. The rit. at m. 88 should not become slower than the tempo at m. 92. At m. 92, let the horns and saxophones really shine through.

SKU: CF.CPS200

ISBN 9781491152355. UPC: 680160909858.

Although some stories in Greek mythology reveal a different side to his character, Apollo was widely regarded to hold a cheerful personality and communicating joy through the music he played on his lyre. Apollo Arise is an energetic and spirited work for band ideal for opening a concert. The uplifting and exuberant melodic material lead the group on a sonic journey to capture the joy and light music can bring to both the audience and the performer.
Program NotesAmong the many stories in Greek mythology, Apollo holds a unique place as a complex Olympian god known for truth, prophecy, healing, poetry, plague, knowledge, light and music. Although some stories reveal a different side to his character, Apollo was widely regarded to hold a cheerful personality and communicated joy through the music he played on his lyre. Apollo Arise is an energetic and spirited work for band, ideal for opening a concert. The uplifting and exuberant melodic material lead the group on a sonic journey to capture the joy and light music can bring to both the audience and performer. From the dynamic opening fanfare to the soaring motifs and rhythms that follow, Apollo Arise provides a wonderful opportunity for the ensemble to reach for new musical heights in their performance!    Rehearsal Notes and SuggestionsThe opening twenty-four measures of the work are important for the rest of the work to unfold successfully. Encourage the ensemble to play with a unified articulation style, maintain a proper balance, and establish a consistent tempo through this section as several recurring rhythms must be performed consistently. Measure 38 features a trumpet solo, so be sure that the rest of the ensemble balances their line to support the solo instrument. In the section that begins at m. 67, there is an optional solo opportunity for trumpet and trombone. Both of these sections provide nice contrast against the full ensemble sections that are present in the work. The section at m. 81 includes a call-and-response section between woodwind, brass and percussion groups. Be sure that as groups enter, the tempo remains consistent and that the winds articulation style is unified and complimentary to the percussion. As the opening fanfare returns at m. 101, remind the ensemble to play with consistent style, balance and tempo as they did in the opening. As the ensemble begins the part of the journey with Apollo at m. 110, the music contains unique layers that must work together to be effective and set up the material that begins at m. 127. Encourage the group to play so they can hear all other lines, and allow their energy to grow into a focused musical celebration by the final note. Thank you in advance for your support of this music, and I wish you and your ensemble well as Apollo Arise welcomes the audience to your concert hall.

SKU: BT.DHP-1002127-040

Valon is a one-part composition. The surprising opening measures describe the sudden entrance into another world. After these initial measures, we hear a choral-like melody, which is repeated three times in different instrumentations with increasing intensity. This represents the procession of the ghosts dwelling in the underworld of Avalon, headed by the mighty magician Merlin.The exalted sound is then suddenly interrupted by a fast movement, in which ostinato figures alternate with bi-tonal motives. This represents the attempt of some evil characters to invade Avalon. Mordred is the leader of this horde and together they disturb the peace and quiet in the otherwisecalm Avalon. The flourish of trumpets heralds the entrance of the Knights of the Round Table who drive away the intruders and return to their castle, Tintagel, in a triumphal procession. Upon their return, the next problem presents itself. An inexplicable disease plagues the resting ghosts.The Knights and the Council of the Wise are convened to find out the cause of this problem. Musically this can be heard in the repetition of the initial themes. The Knights and the Council of the Wise determine that the presence of mortals is the reason that the resting ghosts are suffering. There is simply no room for mortal souls in Avalon. After a powerful statement by King Arthur, we hear a glissando referring to the very first measures, and… we are back in the normal world. The journey through the underworld has come to an end and a dream is over.

Avalon est une pièce dont le décor et les personnages sont empruntés aux légendes arthuriennes. L’œuvre débute par quelques mesures surprenantes qui nous font entrer subitement dans un autre monde. Une mélodie produisant l’effet d’un chœur représente la procession des fantômes et des esprits qui vivent dans l’île magique d’Avalon, avec, leur tête, le puissant magicien Merlin. Soudain, des figures ostinato et des phrases bitonales expriment la tentative d’une horde maléfique conduite par Mordred d’envahir le monde paisible d’Avalon. Après que le Roi Arthur soit intervenu avec force, on entend un glissando qui rappelle les toutes premières mesures, et… noussommes de retour dans le monde réel. Le voyage se termine et un rêve prend fin.