SKU: CF.SPS71

ISBN 9781491143544. UPC: 680160901043. Key: G minor.

Nordanvind is a tour de force symphonic rhapsody that is built on three Scandinavian folk songs. Composer Carl Strommen has composed these Viking-influenced melodies into a concert setting that brings out all of the history of the Scandinavian people. The piece is at times bold and aggressive, at other times beautiful. Carl employs all of the instrumental colors of the concert band to create a new work for more advanced ensembles.
Modern Scandinavians are descendants of the Vikings, an adventuresome people who were known for their love of the sea, their naval prowess, and as fierce fighters . The Scandinavian Vikings were warriors from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden who traded, raided and settled in various parts of Europe, Russia, the North Atlantic islands, and the northeastern coast of North America .Starting around 1850, over one million Swedes left their homeland for the United States in search of religious freedom and open farm land . Augustana College was founded in 1860 by graduates of Swedish universities and is located on the Mississippi River in Rock Island, Illinois . Home of the “Vikings,” Augustana College is the oldest Swedish- American institution of higher learning in the United States . This powerful and lively piece takes inspiration from Swedish history and from Swedish folk songs and hymns .Havsdrake (Dragon of the Sea)The Nordanvind or “North Wind” blows a cold wind during a journey of a group of courageous Viking rowers . The “Dragon-ship” or long ships designed for raiding and war was a sophisticated, fast ship able to navigate in very shallow water . To musically portray these magnificent seafaring vessels, the director is encouraged to use an Ocean Drum (or a rain stick) during the introduction . Wind players may consider blowing air through their instruments to suggest the North wind . Adding men’s voices to accompany the haunting low brass and percussive “rower” sounds can be helpful in creating the dark and ominous portrayal of Viking adventurers .Slangpolska efter Byss - KalleIn Sweden, a “polska” is a partner dance where the dancers spin each other (släng in Swedish “to sling or toss”) . Slangpolska efter Byss - Kalle is attributed to Byss-Kalle, who was a notable Swedish folk musician, specifically a nyckelharpa player . Slangpolska efter Byss - Kalle is a traditional “polska” dance song most often played on the Nyckelharpa or keyed fiddle and is commonly heard in pubs and at festive events throughout Sweden . Approximately 10,000 nyckelharpa players live in Sweden today, and the Swedish and the American Nyckelharpa Associations are dedicated to this Swedish National instrument . The director is encouraged to share video and audio examples of the nyckelharpa playing the original Slangpolska efter Byss - Kalle .Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara (Children of the Heavenly Father)Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara Is a traditional Swedish melody, possibly of German roots, and was believed to be arranged as a hymn by the Swedish hymn writer, Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg (1832–1903) . As a daughter of a Swedish Lutheran minister, she began writing poems as a teenager and is said to have written over 1,700 different texts . There are two different accounts as to the inspiration for this hymn . The first story is that Lina (as she was called) wrote the hymn to honor her father and to say thank you to him for raising her and protecting her . A second belief is of her witnessing the tragic death of her father . She and her father were on a boat, when a wave threw her father overboard . It was said that the profound effect of watching her father drown is what caused Lina to write the text to this hymn . Although this is a treasured song to people of Swedish descent everywhere, it speaks to all people about a father tending and nourishing his children, and protecting them from evil .SPS71FThe Augustana College Concert BandFounded in 1874, the Augustana Band program is one of the oldest continuously active collegiate band programs in the country . The Concert Band is one of two bands on campus and was formed more than thirty years ago . The Concert Band attracts students of every skill level and from a wide variety of majors . Students in the ensemble play a large part in choosing their music for performance, which include works from the standard repertoire, orchestral transcriptions, and the latest compositions from leading composers .Rick Jaeschke began his musical career as a clarinet player in the 1st US Army Band . He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Susquehanna University, a Masters of Music from James Madison University, and a doctorate from Columbia University in New York . He was also fortunate to study conducting with Donald Hunsburger and with Frederick Fennell .Dr . Jaeschke taught band and choir at Great Mills High School in Southern Maryland, and for fifteen years, he was the district Music Supervisor in Armonk, New York, where he taught high school concert and jazz bands, beginning band, and music technology . During that time, the music program flourished, and the high school band consistently received Gold Medals in the New York State Festivals, as well as in national, and international festivals . As a clarinet and saxophone player, Dr . Jaeschke performed in the New York metropolitan area with the Rockland Symphony Orchestra, the Putnam Symphony Orchestra, Fine Arts Symphony Orchestra, and served as the concert master for the Hudson Valley Wind Symphony .For several years, Dr . Jaeschke served as the Fine Arts Coordinator for the District 204 schools in Naperville, IL, a district selected as One of the Best 100 Schools in America for Music . Currently, Dr . Jaeschke is an Associate Professor at Augustana College where he teaches music and music education courses, and directs the Concert Band . He has served on various educational boards, is a National edTPA scorer, and has presented at state, national and international music conferences . He lives with his family in Bettendorf Iowa, and enjoys any opportunity to explore the open water in his sea kayak .

SKU: CN.S11203

Freedom's Sword tells the tale of battle and reconciliation between two lands, deriving themes from the well-known Scottish song Ca' the yowes. Horn calls and pounding drums set the tone for the battle scenes while a dreamy alto saxophone solo creates an air of optimism.

This work was originally commissioned by Nigel Boddice for the West Lothian Schools Brass Band to play at the European Youth Brass Band Championships in 1997 entitled Devolution to celebrate the setting up of the new Scottish Parliament. It appears in this revised version for Concert Band with the title Freedom's Sword. The opening section recalls days gone by when the Scots and English fought many a battle. The themes are derived from the well-known haunting song Ca' the yowes. The horn calls and off-stage percussion sound of a distant battle and it gradually comes closer. The centre section creates a mood of reconciliation with a dreamy Alto Saxophone solo. The last section now looks ahead with optimism and various bright dance themes appear based on traditional Scottish reel tunes, one of which is a two-part vocal scat section The piece then heads for its conclusion including a full statement of the main theme.

SKU: KJ.WB485

UPC: 8402704836.

Take a trip through the Donut Factory! Donut Factory is a lighthearted beginning band piece inspired by the idea of a factory where donuts travel a conveyor belt and get shaped, glazed, iced and sprinkled. It features a fun bass line for the low brass in which the trombones play a glissando. Various auxiliary percussion instruments are used throughout to depict the various stages of the donut making process. Simple quarter- and eighth note rhythms and limited pitches are ideal for the young band.

About Tradition of Excellence: Excellence in Performance

Excellence in performance is a concert band repertoire series correlated with the Tradition of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method by Bruce Pearson and Ryan Nowlin. The compositions in the series correlate to a specific page in Tradition of Excellence Books 1, 2, or 3 and reinforce and expand on skills and concepts introduced in the method.

/Selections include exciting parts for every player, grade-appropriate cross-cueing, accessible ranges and rhythms, creative percussion writing, electric bass and rehearsal piano parts, and full conductor scores with rehearsal suggestions, program notes and composer biographies. In addition, the Grade 1 works provide an Advanced Snare Drum part for percussionists who have achieved a higher level of ability, playable simultaneously with the more basic Snare Drum part to facilitate differentiated learning.

SKU: CL.012-4147-01

This rich arrangement of a popular traditional American melody is aimed at the younger band who wish to showcase their development of a warm sound and expressive phrasing. The palette of colors changes throughout to allow each section to shine as the melodic responsibilities are passed around the various sections of the ensemble. As the piece ebbs and flows from subtle splashes of light to dramatic presentations of the melody, the overall effect is contemporary and picturesque in its essence while remaining accessible to less experienced bands. While performance markings are indicated, the arranger would encourage directors to flavor their interpretation of the score with personal choices of expression, flexibility of tempo and dynamic contrast.

SKU: BT.DHP-1196179-015

English-German-French-Dutch.

The title of this work is based on the name of the commissioning band: Music Society Asaf (Dutch for Asaph). In the Hebrew Bible, the poet, singer and seer Asaph is in charge of the choir in the house of King David. Various psalms, including Psalm 81, which is used in this work, are attributed to him. The melody of this psalm is flanked by a march-like initial part, and the traditional klezmer melody ‘Uri Tzion’ features as a spectacular finale.

De titel van dit werk is gebaseerd op de naam van de opdrachtgever: Muziekvereniging Asaf. In de Hebreeuwse Bijbel is de dichter, zanger en ziener Asaf als zangmeester in dienst van koning David. Er worden verschillende psalmen, waaronder de in dit werk gebruikte psalm 81, aan hem toegeschreven. De melodie van deze psalm wordt geflankeerd door een marsachtig eerste gedeelte, en de traditionele klezmermelodie ‘Uri Tzion’ als spectaculaire afsluiting.

Der Titel dieses Werkes bezieht sich auf den Namen des Musikvereins Asaf, der es in Auftrag gegeben hat. In der hebräischen Bibel war der Dichter, Sänger und Seher Asaf verantwortlich für den Chor im Haus von König David. Ihm werden verschiedene Psalmen zugeschrieben, darunter Psalm 81, der in diesem Werk verwendet wird. Die Melodie dieses Psalms wird von einem marschartigen Anfangsteil umrahmt und die traditionelle Klezmer-Melodie Uri Tzion“ führt in ein spektakuläres Finale.

Le titre de cette œuvre est fondé sur le nom de l’association musicale Asaf (le nom néerlandais d’Asaph). Dans la bible hébra que, le poète, chanteur et devin Asaph est responsable du chœur de la maison du roi David. Divers psaumes, y compris le Psaume 81, qui figure dans cette pièce, lui sont attribués. Cette mélodie est précédée d’une section en forme de marche, tandis que l’air klezmer traditionnel « Uri Tzion » vient clore la pièce de manière spectaculaire.

SKU: AP.45789

UPC: 038081529462. English. Various.

Three contrasting and delightful traditional Spanish melodies are seamlessly interwoven for concert or contest programming. Including the revered Asturias by Isaac Albéniz, Granados' Spanish Dance #5 from his Twelve Spanish Dances, and the well-known España Cañi, a paso doble by Pascual Marquina Narro featuring a wide variety of ensemble textures. Intellectual, musical, and worldly! (3:45).

SKU: HL.4006202

UPC: 888680970499. 9.0x12.0 inches.

The title of this work is based on the name of the commissioning band: Music Society Asaf (Dutch for Asaph). In the Hebrew Bible, the poet, singer and seer Asaph is in charge of the choir in the house of King David. Various psalms, including Psalm 81, which is used in this work, are attributed to him. The melody of this psalm is flanked by a march-like initial part, and the traditional klezmer melody “Uri Tzion” features as a spectacular finale.

SKU: CL.012-4870-00

First Responders is a bold and gallant contemporary march set in traditional format paying tribute to the brave men and women who provide the first assistance to those in need during natural disasters and numerous tragedies that are part of daily life. The chimes (alarm bells) are prevalent throughout the piece, calling all first responders to action. The catchy melodic strains are passed around to various instruments, giving all the winds a chance to shine in this snappy march. Very unique and appealing!

SKU: CL.012-4976-00

The Wexford Carol is a traditional Irish carol dating back to the 12th century. This wonderful arrangement begins with a solo piccolo (or flute) amidst a transparent harmonic setting. Melody is then presented by various sections of the band amid lush harmonies as the music develops. Changing styles and textures keep the interest level high, before building to a powerful full climax. From here, the music ends as it began, with the solo piccolo leading to a sensitive and heartfelt conclusion. This is the perfect lyrical selection for holiday programs, or for concert use anytime.