SKU: BT.GOB-000956-010

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: 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: BT.CMP-0423-00-010

You'll be a-wearin' the green with CELTIC DANCE by Douglas Court. The unmistakable Galway Piper opens the piece, and through artful variation, playfully comes a-visitin' now and again, while original thematic material leads us on a tour of a lovely emerald musical countryside. The energetic joy of Irish dance and the internationally appealing flavor of Irish folk music come together in CELTIC DANCE to form a jewel of young band literature. Court's unerring sense of young player's abilities makes this one a pot o' gold!

Celtic Dance is een fris, jeugdig stuk dat de levendigheid van de dans verbindt met de sfeer van de Ierse volksmuziek. De compositie begint met de volksliedklanken van de Galway Piper, die vervolgens worden gecombineerdmet origineel muzikaal materiaal. Met dit stuk worden beelden van het groene Ierse landschap opgeroepen.

Ein frisches, jugendliches Stück für junge Musiker! Celtic Dance verbindet die kraftvolle Ausgelassenheit des Tanzes mit dem unverwechselbaren Flair irischer Volksmusik. Der berühmte 'Galway Piper' - Klang eröffnet die Komposition und wird in deren Verlauf mit originalem musikalischen Material kombiniert. Die grüne irische Landschaft und ihr Zauber sind förmlich zu spüren!

La musique traditionnelle irlandaise se caractérise par sa lumineuse gaieté. Celtic Dance (“Danse celtique”) débute avec le célèbre air Galway Piper qui devient le fil conducteur de l’œuvre. Soumis ensuite de nombreuses variations, réalisées avec finesse, il nous emmène pour un voyage travers l’histoire de la musique traditionnelle irlandaise.

SKU: FJ.B1736

UPC: 241444388648. English.

Primal in every sense of the word, this work infuses complex harmonies with angular melodies to elicit a primitive atmosphere full of anticipation. Driven by percussion and the dissonant rhythmic pulse in the lower voices, the music eventually gives way to a slower, mystical section. As the music's primal nature begins once again, everything ultimately leads to the adrenaline-packed ending punctuated by racing woodwind ostinatos and extraordinary brass chords. Intense!

About FJH Concert Band

Designed for high school groups and upper-level middle school groups. Independence is encouraged, but many lines are cross-cued. Usually includes an expanded percussion section. Grades 3 - 3.5

SKU: CN.S11042

This symphonic sketch for concert band is packed full different motives thrown around the ensemble hinting at the programmatic leitmotifs of Wagner. Every section of the ensemble gets a workout in this delightful 10-minute work.

A Symphonic Sketch for Concert Band. The resurgence of interest in George Lloyd's music must give us faith that such talent will ultimately prevail against sometimes unhappy circumstances. Lloyd was Cornish and showed precocious gifts at an early age - he had completed his first symphony by the age of nineteen. During the 1930s he completed two operas, one of which - The Serf - was produced at Covent Garden in 1938. He was set for a glittering career as a composer. The Second World War intervened and he was invalidad out of the Navy in a shell-shocked state, and having written very little serious music since 1937 went to Switzerland to recuperate, looked after by his wife, Nancy. Painfully, he began writing again - symphonies Nos. 4 and 5 - and then returned to England. He needed to earn a living and he set up a mushroom farm in Dorset. But slowly he began to compose again and drafted more symphonies in short score. By this time he was virtually unknown - despite being considered the equal of Walton, Britten, and other young stars of English music some 30 years earlier. Lloyd decided to embark on a series of recordings of his symphonies, and slowly popular acclaim enabled him to regain his position. The Forest of Arden was written in 1987 as a result of a commission by the Solihull Youth Wind Band. Although Lloyd's music feels instinctively written one should not be misled - it is carefully crafted, but the craft and structure are always subordinated to create a flow with a strongly melodic content. Instead of two or three themes, The Forest of Arden contains an abundance of ideas which can be described in two groups. The first group contains the opening rhythmic motif, quickly developed into a short rising quaver passage in the woodwinds, and later then a chromatic ostinato bass - only 8 bars at this stage but later expanded. The second group is broad and expansive, initially based on intervals of rising fifths introduced by euphonium, tubas, and baritone saxophone, immediately echoed by horns. Low brass and winds expand the theme into rising sixths and octaves. There is a hint of development, bit this is arrested as the music moves to a piu tranquillo section introduced by the alto saxophone which further develops the rising sixth theme. There follows a true development of the opening material, starting with the ostinato bass and gradually passing through different tonal centers until the rising fifths of the second theme group are heralded - fortissimo and poco piu largamente shortly before the end. The structure is almost Wagnerian (albeit on a much smaller scale), with themes being used as leitmotifs, but this is music which, even within the space of ten minutes is conceived on a grand design.

SKU: CF.CPS222F

ISBN 9781491153161. UPC: 680160910663.

From the call of the open seas to the wistful dance section, this piece will open the imagination of your students and audiences.  Very playable by young bands, the piece features a short opening ostinato that develops into a tone cluster and leads to the ominous sounds of the brass and percussion, which depict the slow lumbering ship on the dangerous, open waters. The piece continues through a more lyrical second section before a dramatic return of the opening material to close out this contest/festival style piece.
From the call of the open seas to the wistful dance section, this piece will open the imagination of your students and audiences. Very playable by young bands, the piece features a short opening ostinato that develops into a tone cluster. This leads to the ominous sounds of the brass and percussion, which depict the slow lumbering ship on the dangerous, open waters. After a quickly paced melody in the low register for the clarinets, the piece gives way to an exciting tutti section that features horns and saxes on an answering countermelody.The second section is a dance that starts with low reeds and a flute solo, but develops into a full band Spanish-sounding dance, with melody in many different places. The recap is a reverse of the beginning section and again loosely represents the danger of life on the high seas.The short ostinato that is used at the beginning and in some transitional moments is based on the beginning notes of Irish Tune from County Derry, a favorite of J. C. Sykes, who this piece honors. Mr. Sykes gave a lifetime to teaching music to band students in North Carolina. The first four notes in clarinet 1, the first four in flute 1 and the first four in clarinet 2 make up the first phrase from that beautiful melody. Just something to get students thinking about composition in a new way.

SKU: CF.CPS263

ISBN 9781491161524. UPC: 680160920150.

Notes The Teton Range is part of the Rocky Mountain chain just east of the Idaho border and south of Yellowstone National Park. The name of this majestic range has its roots in the Shoshone teewinet, meaning many pinnacles. Performance Suggestions: The opening measures of The Grand Tetons should be played broadly and majestically. At m. 14, the tempo is indicated at q = 132 and is introduced by a light snare drum figure. The low brass figures at m.18 are to be played softly and broadly in contrast to the lighter and slightly louder high woodwinds. This entire section builds to a climax at m.44. Note the dynamic contrasts in the mixed meter section after m. 53. at 67, the trombone and horn figures should be evident but not overbearing against the lightly played trumpet solo. The 2 measure mixed meter (6/8) (3/4) theme introduced at m.88 should be performed by exaggerating the dotted 8th-16th rhythm, thereby creating a slight swing and dance-like feeling. At m.109, the 8th notes become even and the theme more strident and energetic, with the ritard returning Tetons to the opening theme at m.129.
Notes The Teton Range is part of the Rocky Mountain chain just east of the Idaho border and south of Yellowstone National Park. The name of this majestic range has its roots in the Shoshone teewinet, meaning many pinnacles. Performance Suggestions: The opening measures of The Grand Tetons should be played broadly and majestically. At m. 14, the tempo is indicated at q = 132 and is introduced by a light snare drum figure. The low brass figures at m.18 are to be played softly and broadly in contrast to the lighter and slightly louder high woodwinds. This entire section builds to a climax at m.44. Note the dynamic contrasts in the mixed meter section after m. 53. at 67, the trombone and horn figures should be evident but not overbearing against the lightly played trumpet solo. The 2 measure mixed meter (6/8) (3/4) theme introduced at m.88 should be performed by exaggerating the dotted 8th-16th rhythm, thereby creating a slight swing and dance-like feeling. At m.109, the 8th notes become even and the theme more strident and energetic, with the ritard returning Tetons to the opening theme at m.129.
Notes The Teton Range is part of the Rocky Mountain chain just east of the Idaho border and south of Yellowstone National Park. The name of this majestic range has its roots in the Shoshone “teewinet,” meaning “many pinnacles.” Performance Suggestions: The opening measures of The Grand Tetons should be played broadly and majestically. At m. 14, the tempo is indicated at q = 132 and is introduced by a light snare drum figure. The low brass figures at m.18 are to be played softly and broadly in contrast to the lighter and slightly louder high woodwinds. This entire section builds to a climax at m.44. Note the dynamic contrasts in the mixed meter section after m. 53. at 67, the trombone and horn figures should be evident but not overbearing against the lightly played trumpet solo. The 2 measure mixed meter (6/8) (3/4) theme introduced at m.88 should be performed by exaggerating the dotted 8th-16th rhythm, thereby creating a slight “swing” and dance-like feeling. At m.109, the 8th notes become even and the theme more strident and energetic, with the ritard returning Tetons to the opening theme at m.129.

SKU: AP.47263

UPC: 038081546988. English.

This iconic dance form employs 3/4 meter and the Mixolydian mode. The bold ensemble statements are juxtaposed against more lightly scored sections that bring the atmosphere of a lively Renaissance dance to your intermediate band!

SKU: MH.0-931329-53-1

ISBN 9780931329531.

Journey back to ancient Greece and view a place of long-gone legend. Follow the trail to the Kingdom of Ithaca, from the heroic palace, to a place of tranquility, to a reckless dance of abandon, to the return of Odysseus. The melodic material used in 200 B.C. is from a two thousand year old Greek hymn to Apollo. The legendary adventures of Odysseus as described by Homer in the Odyssey (ca. 700 B.C.) provide the programmatic material. The music is freely based upon the First Delphic Hymn (or Paen to Apollo), composed ca. 200 B.C. The source is a transcription appearing on pages 363 - 367 of Ancient and Oriental Music, Edited by Egon Wellesz (Oxford University Press: London, 1957). Each movement of the work depicts a key event in the epic Homeric poem, as described below. Movement I: Intrada - The first four notes of this movement, C - Bb - G - Bb, are the melodic and harmonic foundation for the entire work. These pitches, introduced in a simple and direct manner, are subsequently developed in more complex fashions throughout the suite. Following this stately introduction is a militaristic fanfare that introduces the dotted-eighth and sixteenth-note figure later reprised in the second and fourth movements. Indeed, all the musical ideas which will be central to the remaining movements first appear in the Intrada. This movement depicts the grandeur of Odysseus and his kingdom in Ithaca, and establishes the heroic mood of the entire work. Movement II: Ballad - After a brief restatement of the opening dotted-eighth-and-sixteenth fanfare, the second movement extracts the falling third (Bb to G) from the C - Bb - G - Bb motif and extends it and expands it into a haunting solo for alto saxophone. The C - Bb - G - Bb motif appears again (see measures 23 - 33 in trumpets) as counterpoint to this melody, now pulsing through the thick texture of the band. Many performers have come to view the Ballad as the emotional epicenter of the entire suite; my conception of the Ballad is to achieve a union of pathos and strength. Programmatically, this movement depicts Odysseus's son, Telemachos, as he both longs for Odysseus's return and stoically defends his father's kingdom. Movement III: Dance - It will take Odysseus twenty years to return to Ithaca. During his absence, noblemen besiege his palace, violating the sanctity of the household and seeking the hand of his wife, Penelope. This movement depicts the wanton revelries that result. The original four-note motif is chromatically altered and the meter is made irregular. The rapid tempo, driving percussion, and angular meter and melodies combine in an explosion of reckless abandon. Movement IV: March Building from a delicate woodwind ensemble accompanied by finger cymbals to a fully orchestrated statement replete with thundering percussion, this is a resounding march of victory. Odysseus has returned in triumph to restore dignity to his household and to reclaim the throne of the Kingdom of Ithaca. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 8 Flute 1 - 2, 2 Oboe 1 - 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 1 Eb Alto Clarinet, 3 Bb Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon 1 - 2, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 3 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 1 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 3 Bb Trumpet 1, 3 Bb Trumpet 2, 3 Bb Trumpet 3, 2 F Horn 1-2, 2 F Horn 3-4, 2 Trombone 1, 2 Trombone 2, 2 Trombone 3, 3 Euphonium (B.C.), 2 Euphonium T.C., 4 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 2 Mallet Percussion: Bells, Xylophone, 2 Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Tambourine, 2 Percussion 2: Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Tom-Tom, Finger Cymbals, 1 Percussion 3: Bass Drum.