SKU: SU.32040050

Woodwind Quintet (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon) Duration: 6' Composed: 2012 Published by: Amy Mills Music, LLC 3 movements I. Seven Toes Down II. En Pointe III. Muddy Boots This charming suite has three short movements, each with its own character. The suite bursts open with breathless energy. Seven Toes Down is modal, in 7/8 time, with people dancing in bare feet on bare ground, so vigorously that it kicks up the dust. En Pointe opens with a lovely waltz, then it focuses in on the tiny, delicate movements of a ballerina high up on her toes. Muddy Boots is big strong guys, covered with dirt from a hard day of work, practicing one-upmanship. Different players have the chance to show what they can do, surrounded by their friends. Then we catch another glimpse of the ballerina before closing playfully with Seven Toes Down. Difficulty Level: 4 (Advanced) See composer website for audio sample.

SKU: HL.259861

ISBN 9781540019646. UPC: 888680726201. 9.0x12.0x0.14 inches.

Set of four short “expressions of the imagination” for brass quintet. Movements: 1. Things that go 'Bump' in the Night: A ghost Story, 2. Tiptoes, 3. Turkey Trot, 4. Dancing Shoes.

SKU: CF.CPS264F

ISBN 9781491161746. UPC: 680160920433.

Some of the first music I remember hearing as a child was folk dance music from around the world. My parents were avid folk dancers, and they used to host weekly folk dance evenings in our basement. Some nights, when I was supposed to be in bed, I would stand with my ear to the door, listening to this fascinating music that drifted up the stairs. I didn't know what each piece was, but the melodies have stayed with me. Tropanka is one of those tunes. Tropanka (pronounced tro-PAHN-kuh) is a folk dance from Bulgaria, and the title means stomping dance. One can hear two repeated notes at the end of each phrase - this is where the dancers stomp. Patsh Tantz (pronounced PAHTSH tahnts) is a classic example of Klezmer, which is East European Jewish folk music. The title is Yiddish for clapping dance, and all the players get the chance to clap at certain points in their individual part. Klezmer music is often quite exciting, and this arrangement includes the characteristic accelerando, building excitement as the piece drives to the end. Both movements should be played rhythmically, and as it is folk music that would be danced to by untrained dancers, often wearing boots or other flat-soled shoes, adding weight to many of the downbeats will help bring out the earthy character of the music. Since my parents met while folk dancing, I made these arrangements (originally in a version for string quartet) as a gift in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.
Some of the first music I remember hearing as a child was folk dance music from around the world. My parents were avid folk dancers, and they used to host weekly folk dance evenings in our basement.  Some nights, when I was supposed to be in bed, I would stand with my ear to the door, listening to this fascinating music that drifted up the stairs. I didn’t know what each piece was, but the melodies have stayed with me. Tropanka is one of those tunes. Tropanka (pronounced “tro-PAHN-kuh”) is a folk dance from Bulgaria, and the title means “stomping dance”. One can hear two repeated notes at the end of each phrase – this is where the dancers stomp. Patsh Tantz (pronounced “PAHTSH tahnts”) is a classic example of Klezmer, which is East European Jewish folk music. The title is Yiddish for “clapping dance”, and all the players get the chance to clap at certain points in their individual part. Klezmer music is often quite exciting, and this arrangement includes the characteristic accelerando, building excitement as the piece drives to the end.Both movements should be played rhythmically, and as it is folk music that would be danced to by untrained dancers, often wearing boots or other flat-soled shoes, adding weight to many of the downbeats will help bring out the “earthy” character of the music. Since my parents met while folk dancing, I made these arrangements (originally in a version for string quartet) as a gift in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.