SKU: CF.BPS132F

ISBN 9781491158470. UPC: 680160917075. 9 x 12 inches.

Secret Mission is a cinematic depiction of a spy on a mission to defeat a nefarious villain. This was inspired by my love for several spies and superheroes from movies and television series, both serious and humorous. With exciting parts for all players, I hope your imagination is sparked by this accessible and melodic piece. In the opening, the spy receives his mission in grand fashion, as the title sequence rolls across the screen. After a dramatic pause (m. 10), the spy is on the chase! The melody at m. 11 depicts the spy doing reconnaissance on his enemy. The villain reveals his evil plan, and soon, the hero and the villain face off in an epic battle! Who do you think wins? Is it a serious thriller or a hilarious cartoon? Decide for your own as you see the end credits scroll! Itas an epic journey sure to spark your imagination. For smaller ensembles, the power chords in the low brass can be divided such that trombones take the top note, and euphonium the bottom, or divide it as is appropriate for your ensemble. At m. 9, and as it recurs, the students should choose a note that is comfortably in their playing range that they can play beautifully. They should, however, strive to choose a different note than their neighbor, and can change the note as this technique recurs. The melody at measure 11 should sound soft, light, and sneaky! Do not let the students get too loud at m. 17. If anything, this section should be slightly softer. The woodblock and cowbell add a touch of urgency (like the ticking of a clock) and humor (I got a fevah!). Make sure the countermelody at m. 25 can be heard clearly. At m. 33, dynamic contrast is very important. If needed, a crash cymbal from a drum set can be used, and both cymbals can be struck by a drumstick. In either case, suspended cymbal should be played with a drumstick (unless rolling: then, use a pair of yarn mallets). I sincerely hope you and your students enjoy the cinematic journey, and thank you for choosing my music!.
Secret Mission is a cinematic depiction of a spy on a mission to defeat a nefarious villain. This was inspired by my love for several spies and superheroes from movies and television series, both serious and humorous. With exciting parts for all players, I hope your imagination is sparked by this accessible and melodic piece. In the opening, the spy receives his mission in grand fashion, as the title sequence rolls across the screen. After a dramatic pause (m. 10), the spy is on the chase! The melody at m. 11 depicts the spy doing reconnaissance on his enemy. The villain reveals his evil plan, and soon, the hero and the villain face off in an epic battle! Who do you think wins? Is it a serious thriller or a hilarious cartoon? Decide for your own as you see the end credits scroll! It's an epic journey sure to spark your imagination. For smaller ensembles, the power chords in the low brass can be divided such that trombones take the top note, and euphonium the bottom, or divide it as is appropriate for your ensemble. At m. 9, and as it recurs, the students should choose a note that is comfortably in their playing range that they can play beautifully. They should, however, strive to choose a different note than their neighbor, and can change the note as this technique recurs. The melody at measure 11 should sound soft, light, and sneaky! Do not let the students get too loud at m. 17. If anything, this section should be slightly softer. The woodblock and cowbell add a touch of urgency (like the ticking of a clock) and humor (I got a fevah!). Make sure the countermelody at m. 25 can be heard clearly. At m. 33, dynamic contrast is very important. If needed, a crash cymbal from a drum set can be used, and both cymbals can be struck by a drumstick. In either case, suspended cymbal should be played with a drumstick (unless rolling: then, use a pair of yarn mallets). I sincerely hope you and your students enjoy the cinematic journey, and thank you for choosing my music!.
Secret Mission is a cinematic depiction of a spy on a mission to defeat a nefarious villain. This was inspired by my love for several spies and superheroes from movies and television series, both serious and humorous. With exciting parts for all players, I hope your imagination is sparked by this accessible and melodic piece. In the opening, the spy receives his mission in grand fashion, as the title sequence rolls across the screen. After a dramatic pause (m. 10), the spy is on the chase! The melody at m. 11 depicts the spy doing reconnaissance on his enemy. The villain reveals his evil plan, and soon, the hero and the villain face off in an epic battle! Who do you think wins? Is it a serious thriller or a hilarious cartoon? Decide for your own as you see the end credits scroll! It’s an epic journey sure to spark your imagination.For smaller ensembles, the power chords in the low brass can be divided such that trombones take the top note, and euphonium the bottom, or divide it as is appropriate for your ensemble. At m. 9, and as it recurs, the students should choose a note that is comfortably in their playing range that they can play beautifully. They should, however, strive to choose a different note than their neighbor, and can change the note as this technique recurs. The melody at measure 11 should sound soft, light, and sneaky! Do not let the students get too loud at m. 17. If anything, this section should be slightly softer. The woodblock and cowbell add a touch of urgency (like the ticking of a clock) and humor (I got a fevah!). Make sure the countermelody at m. 25 can be heard clearly. At m. 33, dynamic contrast is very important. If needed, a crash cymbal from a drum set can be used, and both cymbals can be struck by a drumstick. In either case, suspended cymbal should be played with a drumstick (unless rolling: then, use a pair of yarn mallets). I sincerely hope you and your students enjoy the cinematic journey, and thank you for choosing my music!

SKU: CF.PPS54F

ISBN 9781491158333. UPC: 680160916931. 9 x 12 inches.

Step Up! is a band section feature for beginning instrumental students. The work provides an excellent vehicle to showcase each instrument in the band, providing an ideal selection for recruiting assemblies, parent/grandparentas day programs and first concerts. Each section can stand for the solo feature, at the discretion of the director. If an instrument is not in an ensemble, then that portion of the piece can be omitted. Example: If there are no saxophones in the group, then omit mm. 31a43 and insert percussion (or hand claps) on the first two beats of m. 74. I suggest that if the glissando is to be played in m. 68 that it only be introduced once the students are secure performing the passage without the ornament.
Step Up! is a band section feature for beginning instrumental students. The work provides an excellent vehicle to showcase each instrument in the band, providing an ideal selection for recruiting assemblies, parent/grandparent's day programs and first concerts. Each section can stand for the solo feature, at the discretion of the director. If an instrument is not in an ensemble, then that portion of the piece can be omitted. Example: If there are no saxophones in the group, then omit mm. 31-43 and insert percussion (or hand claps) on the first two beats of m. 74. I suggest that if the glissando is to be played in m. 68 that it only be introduced once the students are secure performing the passage without the ornament.
Step Up! is a band section feature for beginning instrumental students. The work provides an excellent vehicle to showcase each instrument in the band, providing an ideal selection for recruiting assemblies, parent/grandparent’s day programs and first concerts. Each section can stand for the solo feature, at the discretion of the director. If an instrument is not in an ensemble, then that portion of the piece can be omitted. Example: If there are no saxophones in the group, then omit mm. 31–43 and insert percussion (or hand claps) on the first two beats of m. 74. I suggest that if the glissando is to be played in m. 68 that it only be introduced once the students are secure performing the passage without the ornament.

SKU: CF.BPS141F

ISBN 9781491161609. UPC: 680160920273.

Amadeus in the Percussion Box is a Grade 1 composition featuring the percussion section of a band in its first year of instruction. The theme is a simplification of Papageno's famous Bird Catcher's aria in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute. Beginning at m. 15, the percussion players begin playing instruments found in most elementary school band percussion boxes. The instruments indicated in the score are merely suggestions and may be varied at the discretion of the director. Depending on the number of percussion players, the director may increase or decrease the number of instruments used in the sections starting at mm. 15 and 39. The music will also provide an opportunity for beginners to learn about first and second endings and how to perform a crescendo.

SKU: CF.CPS216F

ISBN 9781491153109. UPC: 680160910601.

Cosmic Expedition takes performers on a musical journey far across the galaxy via three main sections.  This fanfare composition would be perfect for opening a concert. It has bold brass fanfare figures over textural woodwinds to start and then takes the listener on a sonic journey through a variation of harmonic colors, tambural and textural shifts.
Cosmic Expedition takes performers on a musical journey far across the galaxy via three main sections. The first, a rather celebratory and triumphant fanfare in Bb major begins with the upper woodwinds and percussion creating a sound-screen, that is a busy texture consisting of a flurry of repeated notes over which the horns and alto saxophones present the opening theme. The sound-screen should be carefully balanced and give way to the melody at m. 5, which should be played extremely marcato. The timpani solo beginning in m. 11 must not be understated. A brief percussion interlude separates a restatement of the opening theme, this time with the addition of the trumpet, tenor saxophone, and euphonium, and a counter melody by the low winds. The percussion interlude is playful, light, but full of vigor and energy. An Ab in the low winds pulls the harmony towards G minor in m. 40 to start the second section, a more serious fanfare. Here, the marimba repeats an ostinato that is complemented by the bass drum and woodblock. The upper woodwinds with the xylophone and snare drum dance over the stern secondary fanfare. A longing call lead by the trombones, interrupted by a subtle snare drum beckons to the clarinets and horn who begin the third section of the piece at m. 68. This haunting melody in C minor is legato, and starkly contrasts all which came before it. A relentless concert tom-tom played with hard mallets keeps the momentum persistent, and a heartbeat-like pulse is felt from the tuba and baritone saxophone. The melody rises towards m. 84 when the brass harken back to the fanfare style before fading back into another lush woodwind strain.A recapitulation of the low winds’ call is heard at m. 100 which in this occasion intensifies into an emphatic statement by the battery percussion instruments. Now in Eb major, the opening fanfare theme is heard again once more before fading into the beginning of the piece’s conclusion.To end, the counter melody from the opening section duels with chromatic tension above before swelling to an arrival in the original key of Bb major. The full ensemble celebrates the piece’s resolution, and after a few crunchy power chords the journey is completed.

SKU: CF.BPS150F

ISBN 9781491163863. UPC: 680160922659.

Rehearsal Suggestions:Sunrise March is so named for the opening motive, which quickly ascends like the rising sun. Playable at the end of the first year of instruction, the march offers several teaching tools: independent parts playing in imitation or call and response, dynamic markings, staccato and accent markings, and limited accidentals. Every group gets the melody at some point. This would make a great selection for the end of year concert (especially a demonstration-style concert), or for taking to an adjudicated festival. This prepares students for more traditional full-length concert marches. Keep that in mind when rehearsing.Make sure students observe the articulation and dynamic markings in mm. 6 and 7. Notice the slurs over the 4-3 suspension in m. 10. Where optional divisi is marked in the low brass or reed voices, the division is preferred, but if necessary, play only the lower notes. Pay careful attention to balance at m. 23. The melody is always the most important.Note the accidentals in mm. 29 and 30. This is a great place to reinforce accidentals through repeated notes. After m. 31, note that the melody is fractured, and students will need to count multi-rests and know where the melody is. Focus on a full sound from m. 47 to the end. The stinger note in the low voices at the end should be played for its full value and release with a vowel sound, not the tongue!