SKU: BT.GOB-000554-010

There are people who are capable of planning well. They live their lives in a well-structured manner and know exactly what they have to do. On the other hand, there are also people who are the exact opposite: they want to do too many things at once and are often somewhat absent-minded, which occasionally results in frantic situations. The outcome of one such situation is ‘They are coming’.
John Emerson Blackstone had been working on a new composition for some time when he received a telephone call from his editor, who told him that the deadline was approaching rapidly, even worse, that it would expire at the end of that same day and that he would drop by in person to fetch thecomposition!
Blackstone set to work in a frenzy and completed the last details. When his editor arrived, the piece was finished ..... and got its definitive title: ‘They are coming’.

Er zijn mensen die goed kunnen plannen. Ze leven zeer gestructureerd en weten precies wat ze moeten doen. Er zijn er ook die dat niet kunnen. Ze doen vaak vijf dingen tegelijkertijd, zijn niet zelden enigszins verstrooid met als gevolgdat er af en toe gespannen situaties ontstaan. Het resultaat van zo’n situatie is ‘They are coming’.
John Emerson Blackstone was al een poosje bezig met een nieuwe compositie toen de hij zijn uitgever aan de telefoon kreeg.De deadline kwam met rasse schreden in zicht, sterker nog, het einde van die bewuste dag was de deadline en zou de uitgever het materiaal bij de componist ophalen.
Blackstone is als een razende Roeland aan het werk gegaanen heeft de laatste puntjes op de i gezet.
Toen de uitgever arriveerde was het stuk klaar... en kreeg haar definitieve titel: ‘They are coming’.

SKU: CF.YPS187

ISBN 9781491147399. UPC: 680160904891. 9 x 12 inches. Key: D minor.

In the Odyssey, dreams come into the world through one of two gates. If they come through the gates of ivory they are false dreams. However, if they come into the world through the gates of horn they are true dreams that tell the user of things to be, or illuminate truth. The Gates of Horn is a dramatic piece for band that alternates a syncopated fanfare with a bold, yet lyrical theme. These contrasting ideas chase each other throughout the piece.

SKU: CN.S11293

Inspired by the release of Nelson Mandela in the early 1990s, Hymn for Africa pays tribute to the sense of dignity and peace that he brought not only to South Africa, but around the entire globe. As the beautifully lush chorale unfolds, quietly undulating drums murmur in the distance and gradually build into a rousing climax.

Hymn for Africa was written as part of a project known as Brass Band Aid. When I was asked to compose a piece with relevance to Africa for the project, I began to think of all the things that I associate with Africa. I have vivid memories from my childhood of the hard-hitting news reports from the famines of the early/mid 1980's (and the concerts that followed). I also associate Africa with amazing animal life - the many species from snakes to birds to lions, with their many colours. But more than these associations, there is one memory that stands out amongst all others. The release of Nelson Mandela in the early 1990's had a profound effect not only in South Africa, but all over the continent of Africa, as well as the World as a whole. The fact that one man can achieve this with peace and great dignity will always be an inspiration, not only to me, but many, many millions of humans around the globe. Hymn for Africa is inspired by this sense of dignity and peace. A simple eight bar melody is the basis of the composition. A drone is then added, before a chorale, and finally a rousing climax when the percussion and full band enter. The piece dedicated to Bob and Briony Thompson in admiration.

SKU: HL.44006738

UPC: 884088142513. 9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

This work presents the listener with the wondrous grandeur of one of the great mountain ranges in America, the Sierra Nevada. When the music begins, the listener is greeted with the awakening of an early morning in the Sierras, complete with a mysterious, foggy mist that creates a feeling of complete stillness and peace with the world. As the mist slowly dissipates, hidden forms begin to make their presence known and gradually become a tremendous panorama of grand snow-covered mountain peaks. Grandiose and immense in all their beauty and glory, they stand before you with a sense of undeniable power, extending in all directions as far as the eye can see. Upon closer inspection one can imagine the circling golden eagles, the regal elk and royal stags, all lazily wandering the hills and canyons of conifers that stand tall, reaching for the passing clouds in hopes of gaining a few rays of life-giving sunshine and moisture. Look in another direction and you will see the immense rolling hillsides of colourful wild flowers, fluttering butterflies, birds darting about, sparkling waterfalls and all critters existing in harmony. After the day's activities the sun begins to slip below the horizon, the mist returns, and all living things prepare for another still night of sleep, serenity and the warmth of their secure bedding places.

SKU: BT.GOB-000956-140

Scottish Dances is based on three Scottish traditionals: Cock of the North, The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond and Marie's Wedding.

I. Cock of the North's name is used for multiple things or events. For example for a locomotive to a famous, it seems, delicious liqueur, and rallies to snowboard competitions. Furthermore is Cock O' the North a nickname of a famous Duke. (The 4th Duke of Gordon).
In this composition Cock of the North (a Jig) is a traditional Scottish bagpipe tune, regularly played on tattoos by Pipe Bands. Not infrequently the drummers sing the text.

Auntie Mary, had a canary,
Up the leg of her trousers
While she was sleeping Iwas peeping
Up the leg of her trousers.

II. The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond is about a sad story that took place during an revolt against the British. In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie had to retreat. Two of his men were captured. One was convicted and executed, while the other was released. The spirit of the executed soldier would arrive in Scotland via the 'low road' (underworld) before his companion, who had still a long way to go.

You'll take the high road
And I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

III. In a Scottish wedding, after the official ceremonies, there is often danced. This is called a ceilidh. For this we use traditional Scottish music such as Marie's Wedding '.
Mid dance we go back to the church, where a lovely song in honor of the couple sounds.
Marie's Wedding has been recorded by Van Morrison (among many others).

Step we gaely, on we go, heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and on we go, all for Marie's wedding

Scottish Dances is gebaseerd op drie Schotse traditionals: Cock of the North, The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond en Marie's Wedding.

I. De naam Cock of the North wordt voor meerdere dingen of evenementen gebruikt. Van een beroemdelocomotief tot een, naar het schijnt, een heerlijke likeur, en van rally's tot snowboard wedstrijden. Bovendien was 'Cock O' the North' een bijnaam van een bekende hertog. (the 4th Duke of Gordon)
Het in deze compositiegebruikte Cock of the North (een Jig) is een traditioneel Schotse bagpipe tune (doedelzak liedje) wat regelmatig gespeeld wordt op taptoes door Pipebands. Niet zelden zingen de slagwerkers de tekst mee.

Auntie Mary, had acanary,
Up the leg of her trousers
While she was sleeping I was peeping
Up the leg of her trousers.

II. 'The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond', gaat over een triest verhaal dat zich afspeelde tijdens een opstand tegende Engelsen. In 1745 moest Bonnie Prince Charlie zich terugtrekken. Twee van zijn mannen werden gevangen genomen. Eén van hen werd veroordeeld en geexecuteerd, terwijl de ander vrijgelaten werd. De geest van de geexecuteerde soldaatzou via de 'low road' (onderwereld) eerder in Schotland aankomen dan zijn kameraad, die nog een lange ruige weg te gaan had.

You'll take the high road
And I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland aforeye
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

III. Bij een Schotse bruiloft wordt na de officiele plechtigheden vaak gedanst. Dit noemt men een ceilidh. Hiervoor gebruiktmen traditionele Schotse muziek zoals bijv. 'Marie's Wedding'.
Halverwege de dans gaan we nog even terug naar de kerk, waar een lieflijk lied ter ere van het bruidspaar klinkt.
Marie's Wedding is o.a. door Van Morrison opgenomen.

SKU: KJ.WB237

UPC: 8402700015.

Pioneers...the ones who lead into the unknown. Pioneers..the explorers of new worlds and new ideas. Young musicians will enjoy exploring their talent, venturing into the sounds of a new work from a composer from a distant land. With this exciting new piece from one of Australia's shining stars, students will discover things about themselves, about the composer, and about each other.

About Standard of Excellence in Concert

The Standard of Excellence In Concert series presents exceptional arrangements, transcriptions, and original concert and festival pieces for beginning and intermediate band. Each selection is correlated to a specific page in the Standard of Excellence Band Method, reinforcing and expanding skills and concepts introduced in the method up to that point. Exciting parts with extensive cross-cueing are presented for every player. Accessible ranges, appropriate rhythmic challenges, and creative percussion section writing enhance the pedagogical value of the series.

Sold individually, each In Concert selection includes a full Conductor Score and enough student parts for large symphonic bands. Each student part also includes correlated Warm-Up Studies. The Conductor Score comes complete with rehearsal suggestions, a composer biography, program notes, a rehearsal piano part, several ready-to-duplicate worksheets and a duplicable written quiz.

SKU: AP.47385

UPC: 038081546636. English.

Literally translated to American peace, this musical journey celebrates the many positive things that America stands for: freedom, liberty, democracy, opportunity, and the pursuit of happiness. All are presented in distinct sections of the piece, culminating with a bold setting of America the Beautiful. Inspiring. (2:45) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.