SKU: AP.45965S

UPC: 038081529707. English.

This musical escape will take your audience to a quiet place during your next performance. Simple, elegant lines combine with rich harmonies and counterpoint to provide an uplifting moment of repose. (1:55) Correlates to Book 1, level 6. This title available in MakeMusic Cloud.

SKU: MH.1-59913-071-8

ISBN 9781599130712.

Program Notes: Stylistically diverse -- tranquil, spirited pastoral, sensitive, energetic -- exhibiting a remarkable palette, the five movements of SINFONIA IX form a unique symphonic statement. Movement I, Prelude, is about contrasts: A lazy, smooth, motive in brasses alternates with, and then joins, an active and detached motive in woodwinds. The spirited Movement II, Morley's Ghost, is an intricate canonic collage and homage to that venerable theoretician & composer, Thomas Morley. By contrast, movement III, Dialog, speaks in a relaxed, lyrical, and pastoral language as it develops its gently rising and falling motives. Movement IV, Waltz, innocently celebrates the joys of childhood with a lilting melody and rondo form. For the rousing Finale, Movement V begins with a martial call of repeated-notes, heralding a headstrong journey of power and excitement. Like a number of the composer's other works, SINFONIA IX is based on earlier material: A brass sextet, written in 1966 when the composer was nineteen years old, forms the raw material for the first, third and fifth movements, while a later work, Martin's Waltz (a children's piece for flutes and clarinets composed in 1975) is the basis of the fourth movement. The second movement, however, is a fanciful contrapuntal commentary on Thomas Morley's 16th-century canzonet, Fire and Lightning. SINFONIA IX is dedicated to John Raforth, a distinguished band director and music educator at West High School in Madison, Wisconsin. The work was commissioned by his friends and former students, and was completed in 1977. Its first publication some twenty years later is a result of the increasing attention paid by university band directors to the earlier Sinfonias, particularly Sinfonia III (Hymns and Dances); Sinfonia V (Sinfonia Sacra et Profana); and now, Sinfonia IX. Whereas the first two works are wind ensemble compositions that have been championed equally by the concert band, Sinfonia IX is the composer's first college-level Sinfonia written especially for concert band. Ensemble instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 8 Flute 1-2, 2 Oboe, 1 Eb Clarinet, 4 Bb Clarinet 1, 4 Bb Clarinet 2, 4 Bb Clarinet 3, 3 Bb Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Eb Alto Saxophone, 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, 3 Trombone 1, 3 Trombone 2, 3 Baritone B.C., 2 Baritone T.C., 4 Tuba, 3 String Bass, 2 Timpani, 5 Percussion.

SKU: AP.31707

UPC: 038081350929. English.

Avast me hardies! A high sea adventure is about to unfold. The ship rocks gently as its bell summons all to board. The pirate crew begins singing to pass time as it prepares the ship for a long voyage. What lies ahead? Are there ships with gold and treasure to be taken? Will there be hopes of riches to share and bury at a secret location? All are eagerly confident. All are members of the pirate brotherhood. All are united and led in their glorious pursuit by The Pirate King. Shiver me timbers, lads, a pirate's lot is never done. Do ye work or walk da plank. All for treasure and treasure for all! Arrrgh!

SKU: CF.CPS75

ISBN 9780825867477. UPC: 798408067472. 9 X 12 inches. Key: Bb major.

Spirits Bright was inspired by the idea that the holiday season, while a time of joy and peace, may also be a time of reflection on and acknowledgement of the year's passing. The work is an expression of the nostalgia and wistfulness we experience during the holidays; a time when we remember friends and family, both present and past. Spirits Bright evokes the bittersweet warmth of a fire in the fireplace, chestnuts roasting, snow falling gently, and jingle bells.

SKU: AP.50999

ISBN 9781470665203. UPC: 038081583433. English.

Circles is a timeless, impressionistic work portraying a dark void with various colored circles aimlessly spinning around and gently colliding with each other. Brian Balmages uses wildly vivid colors throughout the work, which are incredibly unique for this level. Combine that with an extraordinary ending, and your audience is in for an amazing experience! (4:00).

SKU: AP.46650S

ISBN 9781470656805. UPC: 038081533018. English.

Wildflowers is an attempt to portray the feeling of gazing upon a meadow full of flowers on a beautiful summer day---drinking in their individual and collective beauty, fragility, and wonder as they bend gently in the breeze.

SKU: AP.24686S

UPC: 038081278209. English.

Air and Variations is designed to expose students to the variation form through the use of contrasting styles, tempi and meters. The work opens with a statement of the theme presented by flute, clarinet and trumpet in legato, lyric style. Variation 1 is a toccata featuring marcato eighth notes, providing a rhythmic version of the theme. Variation 2 is a romance with the theme presented in a slow, expressive setting. Variation 3 is a gently lilting waltz with the theme appearing in flutes and trumpets. Variation 4 is a stately, triumphant processional-style march which provides the conclusion of the work. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

SKU: HL.4003190

UPC: 884088656447. 9.0x12.0x0.049 inches.

Inspired by the mountains of West Virginia, Valley Mist portrays a beautiful scene of cloud-like mist as it flows gently around the hills encompassing the entire valley in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Quoting the Appalachian folk song “Down in the Valley”, this sensitively scored work includes an optional gentle rain effect with the use of finger snaps. Sure to be an enjoyable change of pace for any program. Dur: 3:35.

SKU: AP.44903S

UPC: 038081516141. English.

Composed in 1917, the official march of the United States Army is one of Sousa's most frequently performed titles. It's unique in that it uses a familiar tune for the trio theme---in this case, The Army Song. The original thematic material has been diligently preserved while scored to be accessible to the developing band. (2:30).