SKU: HL.35028268

UPC: 884088638221. 4.75x5.5 inches.

Uses: General, Lent, Youth Choir, Church Anniversary

Scripture: Psalm 67:3; Psalm 30:4; Romans 12:1

A clarion call to commitment is at the heart of this ballad of praise. Soaring on the wings of melody and a powerful accompaniment, this contemporary sacred song springs with confidence from Scripture. The stately gait of the theme is solidly supported with strong unison singing and sturdy harmonies. The anthem moves as a unifying credo of purpose ending in a mighty crescendo of praise. Available separately: SATB, StudioTrax CD (Accompaniment/Split-Trax/Performance), Orchestration (Score & parts for Flute 1&2, Oboe, Clarinet 1&2, Bassoon, Horn 1&2, Trumpets 1-3, Trombones 1-3, Bass Trombone/Tuba, Timpani, Percussion 1&2, Harp, Piano, Violin 1&2, Viola, Cello, Double Bass). Duration: ca. 3:38.

SKU: CF.YPS252F

ISBN 9781491161913. UPC: 680160920594.

A new day. A new event. A new opportunity. We look forward to these things and the potential they hold. We live our lives looking forward, but we understand them looking backward (a thought of Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard). We do not always know what the future may hold, but we must remember: first, there are no guarantees beyond the time and opportunity we are given to do good. Second, change around us is inevitable. Finally, and the most important aspect, we have choices. This lesson is fixed to the composer's office door: Today is the greatest day of your life, if you want it to be. Why not look forward to the Promise on the Horizon and the possibilities for greatness that lie within it? The opening motif of this concert fanfare is purposely inquisitive as the piece seeks to establish its first steps. The subtle shift at measure 37 and again at measure 69 are reminders of the challenges that await us during the journey. Here again it is a matter of choice - do we choose to let circumstances define us, or do we define the circumstances? The section at 93 is a resounding answer that we will move barriers, overcome obstacles and keep our vision looking forward. The piece builds toward an exciting conclusion from measure 127 onward. The piece reinforces several basic rhythmic patterns in 6/8 time. As a number of these rhythms are repeated, it provides an easy opportunity for the entire ensemble to grow more comfortable performing in this meter. While it is a fanfare-type piece, remind young musicians to play with lightness and precision, rather than intensity in volume. Maintaining this style of articulation and accuracy helps the rhythms in 6/8 time maintain their buoyancy. It is vital that each musician listens for the melody and balances their part, especially in moments where the melody is passed between sections. If vibes are not available, a second bell set can be employed in its place. It is hoped that this piece is an uplifting way to open your next concert, and a meaningful opportunity for you to discuss the power of making positive choices with your students in the ensemble (as a reminder, regular practicing of their instrument is a positive choice). Wishing you and your ensemble well as you look to the Promise on the Horizon.
A new day. A new event. A new opportunity. We look forward to these things and the potential they hold. We live our lives looking forward, but we understand them looking backward (a thought of Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard). We do not always know what the future may hold, but we must remember: first,  there are no guarantees beyond the time and opportunity we are given to do good. Second, change around us is inevitable. Finally, and the most important aspect, we have choices. This  lesson is fixed to the composer's office door: “Today is the greatest day of your life, if you want it to be.” Why not look forward to the Promise on the Horizon and the possibilities for greatness that lie within it?The opening motif of this concert fanfare is purposely inquisitive as the piece seeks to establish its first steps. The subtle shift at measure 37 and again at measure 69 are reminders of the challenges that await us during the journey. Here again it is a matter of choice – do we choose to let circumstances define us, or do we define the circumstances? The section at 93 is a resounding answer that we will move barriers, overcome obstacles and keep our vision looking forward. The piece builds toward an exciting conclusion from measure 127 onward. The piece reinforces several basic rhythmic patterns in 6/8 time. As a number of these rhythms are repeated, it provides an easy opportunity for the entire ensemble to grow more comfortable performing in this meter. While it is a fanfare-type piece, remind young musicians to play with lightness and precision, rather than intensity in volume. Maintaining this style of articulation and accuracy helps the rhythms in 6/8 time maintain their buoyancy. It is vital that each musician listens for the melody and balances their part, especially in moments where the melody is passed between sections. If vibes are not available, a second bell set can be employed in its place. It is hoped that this piece is an uplifting way to open your next concert, and a meaningful opportunity for you to discuss the power of making positive choices with your students in the ensemble (as a reminder, regular practicing of their instrument is a positive choice). Wishing you and your ensemble well as you look to the Promise on the Horizon. .

SKU: CF.SPS93F

ISBN 9781491159781. UPC: 680160918379.

Adversity, in any form at any point of our lives, can be absolutely debilitating mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. In the midst of hard times, it is difficult to imagine what our lives will look like on the other side of the adversity we are facing. Yet so many of us carry on, move forward, and rise above determined to never be defined by our circumstances. For some their personal faith, support from family, or relationship to friends provides the necessary fuel for the resilience they need to rise above adversity. It is amazing when a group of people are able to come together to overcome a common obstacle. With this in mind, I put to music that spirit of rising above for the Liberty High School Band and their director Michael Summers. Northeast Ohio has seen its share of prosperity and significant times of hardship along many different fronts. I still see resilient leaders, community members, and educators like Mike who continue to fight for what is best and what is right. The debut of this work, like so many other things, was interrupted in the spring of 2020. Now on the precipice of a new beginning for many band programs across the country, all of us in instrumental music education must summon resilience to ensure our groups recover, grow and flourish. The rising major second represents us all taking the first step forward in good and difficult times. The adversity (tension) arrives in various ways harmonically throughout the work. Tension can make us lose sense of where we are on our journey and rob us of our ability to imagine getting through our current situation. But I am reminded that not all tension is bad. Given enough time and enough resolution, we can often make sense of the adversity. We can recognize that the adversity taught us something about ourselves we didn't know, or perhaps challenged us to grow in a way we didn't think possible. Either way, it does not happen unless we possess resilience. I thank you in advance for your support of this music and wish you and your group the very best moving forward with Resilience.
Adversity, in any form at any point of our lives, can be absolutely debilitating mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. In the midst of hard times, it is difficult to imagine what our lives will look like on the other side of the adversity we are facing. Yet so many of us carry on, move forward, and rise above determined to never be defined by our circumstances.For some their personal faith, support from family, or relationship to friends provides the necessary fuel for the resilience they need to rise above adversity. It is amazing when a group of people are able to come together to overcome a common obstacle. With this in mind, I put to music that spirit of rising above for the Liberty High School Band and their director Michael Summers. Northeast Ohio has seen its share of prosperity and significant times of hardship along many different fronts. I still see resilient leaders, community members, and educators like Mike who continue to fight for what is best and what is right. The debut of this work, like so many other things, was interrupted in the spring of 2020. Now on the precipice of a new beginning for many band programs across the country, all of us in instrumental music education must summon resilience to ensure our groups recover, grow and flourish. The rising major second represents us all taking the first step forward in good and difficult times. The adversity (tension) arrives in various ways harmonically throughout the work. Tension can make us lose sense of where we are on our journey and rob us of our ability to imagine getting through our current situation. But I am reminded that not all tension is bad. Given enough time and enough resolution, we can often make sense of the adversity. We can recognize that the adversity taught us something about ourselves we didn’t know, or perhaps challenged us to grow in a way we didn’t think possible. Either way, it does not happen unless we possess resilience.I thank you in advance for your support of this music and wish you and your group the very best moving forward with Resilience.

SKU: CF.YPS204F

ISBN 9781491152928. UPC: 680160910427.

Avalon–Long Live the King is a medieval fantasy piece depicting the Isle of Avalon where the mystical sword Excalibur of King Arthur was forged. Composer Tyler Arcari unearths a solid piece for young bands that is both bold and dramatic. This piece is sure to spark the imagination of students and give them strong musical content with which they can develop their musicianship.
Program Notes:Avalon–Long live the King began its journey as a commission in honor of a dear friend and mentor. David Riggs is one of those band directors that just seems timeless. He is a powerhouse with such a stacked resume that it is easy to forget that at the end of the day he enjoys taking long bike rides with his lovely wife and whittling a piece of wood just as much as being a band director. He has touched so many lives and inspired so many people in our field and beyond. I was humbled, and honored, when I was contacted for the commission. To David, I hope that you one day know how much you mean to so many people, including myself.About the piece:The piece is written with a little homage to David’s long tenure at Avalon Middle school in Pace, Florida. He was certainly treated like a king as the band director and rightly so. It seemed only fitting to add a little medieval fantasy. Avalon is a mystical island in the world of King Arthur where the great sword Excalibur was forged.The piece begins lyrically with a slow introduction with melodic material. This melodic motive is used throughout with slight variations depending on the instrument voicing etc. Care should be taken at m. 10 that the Timpani roll helps to bridge our transition from an exposed section to full tutti. Care should be taken so that the tempo change at m. 19 is brisk and avoids the low brass turning into stomping. Accessories like the China cymbal and tambourine can become overpowering. I recommend having students think of these effects as background in order to make sure they don’t POP out. The dynamic changes at mm. 27-35 should be subito similar to orchestral dynamic changes. Avoid unwritten crescendos in this section. Measures 60–64 are a great opportunity to teach those unwritten dynamics that make music so enjoyable as we lead up to the finale. It was originally left blank for some theatrics in the premiere at David’s retirement concert so I know he would enjoy adding some Cholesterol as David would say.Long Live the King!

SKU: CF.SPS87F

ISBN 9781491156452. UPC: 680160914999. 9 x 12 inches.

About the Work In the spring of 2008 a large number of wildfires plagued the west coast, including the area where my wife and I lived in northern California. Firefighters all along the West Coast worked overtime in what seemed like an endless battle to protect residents and their homes. After hearing of a number of firefighters who had lost their lives in the struggle, I composed this work as a dedication to them, in honor of their sacrifice. It is not dedicated to any one person or group, or even just to the west-coast firefighters who battled those horrible wildfires; instead, to all firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty. Although designed as a standalone work, I highly recommend following this composition with one of the many fine band settings of Amazing Grace, as it is commonly performed at firefighter memorials. The one by Frank Ticheli is superb, and if you have access to a good piper there is an excellent version by Jay Dawson which features a solo verse for bagpipe; both are quite stirring. Performance Notes The sustained slower tempo may prove a challenge for some groups; as always, emphasize subdivision. Cues should be used only if necessary due to limited instrumentation. The clarinet and cup-muted trumpets at m. 39 should be very sostenuto (almost organ-like); be careful to stagger breathe. The tempo change at m. 55 should not be much of a challenge, but many groups may tend to slow back down to the original tempo by m. 59; the timpani player can greatly assist in avoiding this problem. The coda at m. 82 may be taken more slowly than the indicated tempo if your solo flutist can manage the lengthy sustained notes.
About the WorkIn the spring of 2008 a large number of wildfires plagued the west coast, including the area where my wife and I lived in northern California. Firefighters all along the West Coast worked overtime in what seemed like an endless battle to protect residents and their homes. After hearing of a number of firefighters who had lost their lives in the struggle, I composed this work as a dedication to them, in honor of their sacrifice. It is not dedicated to any one person or group, or even just to the west-coast firefighters who battled those horrible wildfires; instead, to all firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty.Although designed as a standalone work, I highly recommend following this composition with one of the many fine band settings of Amazing Grace, as it is commonly performed at firefighter memorials. The one by Frank Ticheli is superb, and if you have access to a good piper there is an excellent version by Jay Dawson which features a solo verse for bagpipe; both are quite stirring.Performance Notes The sustained slower tempo may prove a challenge for some groups; as always, emphasize subdivision. Cues should be used only if necessary due to limited instrumentation. The clarinet and cup-muted trumpets at m. 39 should be very sostenuto (almost “organ-like”); be careful to stagger breathe. The tempo change at m. 55 should not be much of a challenge, but many groups may tend to slow back down to the original tempo by m. 59; the timpani player can greatly assist in avoiding this problem. The coda at m. 82 may be taken more slowly than the indicated tempo if your solo flutist can manage the lengthy sustained notes.