How Slow the Wind

SKU: HL.49045997

ISBN 9781540033918. UPC: 888680787004. 9.5x12.0x0.681 inches.

Wind Dances is in seven short contrasting movements, each containing dance-like rhythms, both slow and fast. Having two sons who both play the clarinet, I've heard many a woodwind quintet, so I've been wanting to write for the medium for quite a while. In this instance, I also added my own instrument, the piano.The work opens with a fast movement containing driving rhythms in the winds, which are then answered by the piano. The second movement features colorful effects in the winds and piano (slap tongue, air sounds, muted tones) leading to a long extended lyrical line, gradually orchestrated to involve all the winds. The third movement is a dynamic scherzo, with a separate middle section similar to a traditional Trio section. The slowly unfolding fourth movement is the longest of the piece and anchors the middle of the work. The fifth movement is a kind of echo of the third movement, though this time the dynamic scherzo is high and light, rather than low and dark. The sixth movement is related to the second movement, and is basically a solo cadenza for the clarinet, with a few accompanimental gestures in the piano. The seventh and final movement reprises material from the first movement, this time with new and driving dance-like gestures added.- Pierre Jalbert.

SKU: PR.164002480

UPC: 680160038237.

This work is my second for a solo woodwind and a solo percussionist, following Firewing: The Flame and the Moth for oboe and percussion by nine years. The earlier piece followed a specific story line, and pitted the oboe against the percussionist as both adversary and lover. In Spirit Realms, my aim was not only to juxtapose the very different sounds of flute (plus alto flute and piccolo) against a large array of percussion, but also to attempt three different meditative spaces, each named for a different type of spiritual practice. The musical means of expression is very different for each of the three movements (as is the instrumentation), although they share a common scale-source: the looped pentatonic scale I have been developing over the last several years.   The first movement is called Prayer Tunnel, and is named for the Eskimo practice of solo meditation within a tunnel of ice blocks. This is said to be a means of overcoming demons within, and in my musical rendering it takes the form of an unaccompanied alto flute solo. The flute begins rather angrily, full of tension, but in the course of the solo passage manages to slowly unwind. The percussionist then plays the exact same music the alto flute had played....on seven tuned cymbals. Toward the end, the alto flute re-enters, its original meditation having fused with its mirror.   Kiva represents the circular, subterranean pit in which the Anasazi practiced their religion, a form of which still can be found in the Hopi tribes of the American southwest. These are not spaces for solo meditation, but rather a group meeting place in which only the sanctified are permitted. After an introductory invocation (dove call), the music begins. At first, it is flowing, in a repetitive double-five meter. It then traces several sections, with metric shifts forcing the pulse to race faster and faster, until it halves itself in the coda and returns to the exact pulse of the beginning. The flutist here uses the C flute, and the percussionist plays on both pitched (marimba) and unpitched instruments (various drums and struck sources).   Zendo is the meditation room used by Zen Buddhists. My music begins with another invocation (wind chimes, temple cup gongs, and temple blocks), then moves on to a slow subject stated by the flute. The subject is taken up by the vibraphone, and after several modulations and tempo changes, the flutist takes up the piccolo. The music continues higher and higher, and faster and faster (Zen meditation is NOT all about becoming lost!) until it breaks free at the very end. The percussionist is put through his paces in this movement, having to reach a staggering number of instruments in a short time.   Spirit Realms was commissioned by, and is dedicated to, the Armstrong Duo. -- Dan Welcher.

SKU: PR.16400248S

UPC: 680160038244.

This work is my second for a solo woodwind and a solo percussionist, following Firewing: The Flame and the Moth for oboe and percussion by nine years. The earlier piece followed a specific story line, and pitted the oboe against the percussionist as both adversary and lover. In Spirit Realms, my aim was not only to juxtapose the very different sounds of flute (plus alto flute and piccolo) against a large array of percussion, but also to attempt three different meditative spaces, each named for a different type of spiritual practice. The musical means of expression is very different for each of the three movements (as is the instrumentation), although they share a common scale-source: the looped pentatonic scale I have been developing over the last several years.   The first movement is called Prayer Tunnel, and is named for the Eskimo practice of solo meditation within a tunnel of ice blocks. This is said to be a means of overcoming demons within, and in my musical rendering it takes the form of an unaccompanied alto flute solo. The flute begins rather angrily, full of tension, but in the course of the solo passage manages to slowly unwind. The percussionist then plays the exact same music the alto flute had played....on seven tuned cymbals. Toward the end, the alto flute re-enters, its original meditation having fused with its mirror.   Kiva represents the circular, subterranean pit in which the Anasazi practiced their religion, a form of which still can be found in the Hopi tribes of the American southwest. These are not spaces for solo meditation, but rather a group meeting place in which only the sanctified are permitted. After an introductory invocation (dove call), the music begins. At first, it is flowing, in a repetitive double-five meter. It then traces several sections, with metric shifts forcing the pulse to race faster and faster, until it halves itself in the coda and returns to the exact pulse of the beginning. The flutist here uses the C flute, and the percussionist plays on both pitched (marimba) and unpitched instruments (various drums and struck sources).   Zendo is the meditation room used by Zen Buddhists. My music begins with another invocation (wind chimes, temple cup gongs, and temple blocks), then moves on to a slow subject stated by the flute. The subject is taken up by the vibraphone, and after several modulations and tempo changes, the flutist takes up the piccolo. The music continues higher and higher, and faster and faster (Zen meditation is NOT all about becoming lost!) until it breaks free at the very end. The percussionist is put through his paces in this movement, having to reach a staggering number of instruments in a short time.   Spirit Realms was commissioned by, and is dedicated to, the Armstrong Duo. -- Dan Welcher.

SKU: IS.WE7090EM

ISBN 9790365070909.

Nico Schoeters took his first percussion lessons with Eric Buyle in the Academy for Music and Word in Boom, near Antwerp, after getting the hang of it through private lessons by Jozef Vervliet. Afterwards he continued his music studies at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, where he was taught by Leo Ouderits, Carlo Willems and Koen Wilmaers. In 1998 he graduated there with great distinction as Master in percussion. After cooperating on various projects in Belgium and abroad as a freelance percussionist, Nico took up a position as a percussionist in the National Orchestra of Belgium. However, despite of all his achievements as a percussionist, Nico Schoeters didn’t take his first musical steps by playing percussion, but by playing the piano. His love for the piano remained a common thread in his musical career. For example, he played numerous gigs as a pianist with his jazz quartet ‘Just Friends, consisting of a number of top musicians who are his friends. In addition he started composing piano works in 2012. Cosmopolydian is my first composition for symphonic windband. It's a solo piece for flute and vibraphone which is dedicated to Inge Smedts, principal piccolo at the Royal Wind Band of the Belgian Guides. It is written in the context of a musical project ‘Cocktail Maison'. This project includes a concert on May 25th, 2017 in De Singel in Antwerp where this work will be premiered, a CD recording and a concert tour. All the pieces for this project are new compositions by Piet Swerts, Jef Neve, Klaas Coulembier, Etienne Houben, Bart Watté, Jan Huylebroeck, Francois Glorieux and myself. All the compositions are inspired by a cocktail. My choice is the Cosmopolitan, but the non-alcoholic version, the mocktail actually. The title Cosmopolydian is a nod to the lydian scale which I used as a base for the majority of the piece. The idea behind the music is an image of children enjoying themselves, worry-free, during the holidays. Tired but satisfied, they go to sleep and have wonderful dreams. The next day they wake up to start a beautiful new day.The work is constructed in a typical ABA form. A quick first part: ‘sparkling allegro', which of course should sound very light and playful. A slow middle part warm adagio, in which the beautiful dreams become audible. The last part is a re-exposition of the first part in which eventually all the themes merge into the final.

SKU: HH.HH250-CON

ISBN 9790708059998.

Writ ten for the Wirral Schools' Concert Band in 1987, Strong Winds, Gentle Airs is built, as the title suggests, from two types of material – one forceful and rhythmic, the other more relaxed, with slow moving, almost static harmonies. In revising the piece for publication, the composer has endeavoured to retain as much of the original character as possible.

SKU: CL.012-1405-01

This is a highly effective work in a basic slow-fast format. The opening reeds signal a modal flavor which is retained throughout the lyric slow section. Fanfares in the brass introduce the fast section which contains many interesting contrasts in texture. A magnificent allargando section ends the piece with great flourish and impact. Excellent contest material.

SKU: CL.012-3022-75

An exciting and dynamic composition by James Swearingen that is certain to become one of his most popular and often performed pieces. Beginning with a slow expressive introduction, it soon segues into an Allegro Con Brio section which is impressive and spirited. Solidly scored in the patented Swearingen manner, this exceptional work will help inspire mid-level bands to new musical heights. Outstanding choice for almost any performance situation!

SKU: HL.298905

ISBN 9781540059901. UPC: 888680955274. 9.0x12.0x0.556 inches.

This updated second edition features 100 songs from the silver screen in larger-than-usual fake book notation and all in the key of C. Songs include: Born Free • Chariots of Fire • City of Stars (from La La Land) • Endless Love • Footloose • Ghostbusters • Happy (from Despicable Me 2) • I Will Always Love You (from The Bodyguard) • Theme from Jaws • Let It Go (from Frozen) • A Million Dreams (from The Greatest Showman) • My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from Titanic) • Nine to Five • Over the Rainbow (from The Wizard of Oz) • Shallow (from A Star Is Born) • Singin' in the Rain • Summer Nights (from Grease) • (I've Had) The Time of My Life (from Dirty Dancing) • The Wind Beneath My Wings (from Beaches) • Yellow Submarine • and more.

SKU: CL.012-2274-00

A Masterpiece of form and design, this exciting new composition by the composer of ARABESQUE and DEDICATA is his best effort yet. The opening interludes between fanfare brass and rubato woodwinds set the tone for lush contemporary harmonies and beautiful flowing melodies. A slower middle section is followed by an impressive finale. The expressive writing of this piece is unmatched and is designed to show off every section of your ensemble. A contest and festival winner!

SKU: CL.012-4379-01

Energetic and uplifting, this compelling work will captivate your audience on the edge of their seats! Quest to the Summit is an overture for wind band that is inspired by the composer's friend's arduous journey to the peak of Indonesian volcano, Mount Semeru. Ample cross-cueing of parts have been carefully considered to allow your band to exploit the music to its fullest. Known for his distinctive lyrical writing, Benjamin Yeo's slow and heart-warming middle section offers excellent opportunities for your flute soloist and the band to showcase their best in tone, balance and phrasing. This masterfully crafted work is unbelievable at this grade level and will definitely take the spotlight in your next band concert, contest or festival performances. Very outstanding!