Contrastes I (flute & Bassoon)

SKU: PR.476001390

UPC: 680160631025. 8.5 x 11 inches.

SKU: CF.SPS94

ISBN 9781491161449. UPC: 680160920037.

On November 5th, 2017, a mass shooting took place at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Twenty-six innocent people lost their lives that day, including an unborn child. Overture to a Small Town is dedicated to these victims and the loved ones they left behind. From the biggest cities to the smallest towns, the senseless bloodshed must end. Despite the darkness of this tragedy, it is my intent through this music to portray a sense of hope, dignity, and innocence deserved by all America's cities and towns. The opening moments of this piece should be treated delicately, ensuring that the brass section moves together in one unified voice, and that the crotales evoke distant flickers of light. Similarly, in mm. 120-127, articulations in the flutes, trumpets and mallets should be strong enough to be heard, but without being aggressive. The textural layering in mm. 48-53 should be executed with machine-like precision of both rhythm and articulation. This passage should evoke the sound of many voices rising together. There should be a great contrast between the opening Piano dynamic and the final Forte dynamic. In mm. 65-69, both mallet percussionists may play the indicated notes in any octave they choose. Both players should move rapidly between notes in any order. This passage should sound fluid and ethereal. In mm. 69-73: If there is no English Horn available to the ensemble, the Trumpet should play this passage solo. If there is an English Horn, both instruments should play the passage together. This impressionistic composition about these vanished structures, although written for more advanced ensembles, has only one flute, clarinet, trumpet, horn and trombone part. As a result, smaller bands can play this composition without having to look for a flex-band arrangement. Use this to develop the essential skills of syncopation and counting while also offering the security of only having one part for each instrument voice. An exciting contrasting selection for bands looking for a harmonically interesting composition, this also works well as a contest selection.  .
On November 5th, 2017, a mass shooting took place at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Twenty-six innocent people lost their lives that day, including an unborn child. Overture to a Small Town is dedicated to these victims and the loved ones they left behind. From the biggest cities to the smallest towns, the  senseless bloodshed must end. Despite the darkness of this tragedy, it is my intent through this music to portray a sense of hope, dignity, and innocence deserved by all America’s cities and towns.  The opening moments of this piece should be treated delicately, ensuring that the brass section moves together in one unified voice, and that the crotales evoke distant flickers of light. Similarly, in mm. 120-127, articulations in the flutes, trumpets and mallets should be strong enough to be heard, but without being aggressive.  The textural layering in mm. 48-53 should be executed with machine-like precision of both rhythm and articulation. This passage should evoke the sound of many voices rising together. There should be a great contrast between the opening Piano dynamic and the final Forte dynamic.  In mm. 65-69, both mallet percussionists may play the indicated notes in any octave they choose. Both players should move rapidly between notes in any order. This passage should sound fluid and ethereal.  In mm. 69-73: If there is no English Horn available to the ensemble, the Trumpet should play this passage solo. If there is an English Horn, both instruments should play the passage together.This impressionistic composition about these vanished structures, although written for more advanced ensembles, has only one flute, clarinet, trumpet, horn and trombone part. As a result, smaller bands can play this composition without having to look for a flex-band arrangement. Use this to develop the essential skills of syncopation and counting while also offering the security of only having one part for each instrument voice. An exciting contrasting selection for bands looking for a harmonically interesting composition, this also works well as a contest selection. .

SKU: CF.YPS203

ISBN 9781491152232. UPC: 680160909735. Key: D minor.

Imagine Bach trying to compose in his studio while being pestered by a spider! Arachnophobia and Fugue exposes students to the Baroque style of music using dramatic contrasts, light articulation, chorale-style sections, and multiple references to Bach's works. The spider is represented by the xylophone and/or marimba supported by the flutes. As a humorous bonus, auxiliary percussion includes rolled-up newspapers to swat the pesky spider throughout the piece.
Good music played well inspires the imagination. Imagine Bach trying to compose in his studio while being pestered by a spider! First and foremost this is educational music exposing kids to the Baroque style of music. Dramatic dynamic contrasts, light articulation, chorale-style, and multiple references to Bach’s works form the basis for the work. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Sleepers Wake, Little Fugue in G Minor, Sheep May Safely Graze, Dies Irae, and Come Sweet Death are the basis for this look into an imaginary situation with the Great Baroque Master. The spider is represented by either a solo xylophone or multiple xylophones and/or marimba (supported by the flutes.) As a humorous bonus auxiliary percussion use rolled up newspapers to swat the pesky spider throughout the piece in rhythm with the music.

SKU: CF.CPS261F

ISBN 9781491161715. UPC: 680160920402.

Sahara is an exciting programmatic work for concert band that musically paints a picture of a fantastical desert crossing in three contrasting sections. The first section depicts a large caravan moving across the giant dunes. The second section describes a visit to a palace in a mystical oasis city. The third section brings the piece to an epic close as the caravan outruns a sandstorm to reach their final destination. Performance Notes You may use a set of congas in addition to or in lieu of the dumbek part to bring out that pitched drum sound. At m. 4, emphasize the accented quarter notes in the horns and euphonium. Measures 17-26, make sure that the sixteenth note marimba part is heard clearly. In measures 48-92, this entire middle section may be played in a rubato style at the director's discretion to achieve maximum musical expression. Be sure to emphasize the crescendo-decrescendo dynamics in this entire section. In measures 56-61, be sure that the syncopated flute and clarinet parts are heard clearly. and the flute and oboe are heard as well mm. 76-81. The descending eighth notes in the bass clarinet and tuba part should be brought out in mm. 76-81. Measures 109-112, make sure to bring out the trills in the Flute and oboe parts and sustain them all the way through the measure with a release immediately on beat 1 of the following measure. And finally, mm. 125-126, emphasize the F Horn and Alto Saxophone parts.
Sahara is an exciting programmatic work for concert band that musically paints a picture of a fantastical desert crossing in three contrasting sections. The first section depicts a large caravan moving across the giant dunes. The second section describes a visit to a palace in a mystical oasis city. The third section brings the piece to an epic close as the caravan outruns a sandstorm to reach their final destination.Performance NotesYou may use a set of congas in addition to or in lieu of the dumbek part to bring out that pitched drum sound. At m. 4, emphasize the accented quarter notes in the horns and euphonium. Measures 17-26, make sure that the sixteenth note marimba part is heard clearly. In  measures 48-92, this entire middle section may be played in a rubato style at the director’s discretion to achieve maximum musical expression. Be sure to emphasize the crescendo-decrescendo dynamics in this entire section. In measures 56-61, be sure that the syncopated flute and clarinet parts are heard clearly. and the flute and oboe are heard as well mm. 76-81. The descending eighth notes in the bass clarinet and tuba part should be brought out in mm. 76-81.Measures 109-112, make sure to bring out the trills in the Flute and oboe parts and sustain them all the way through the measure with a release immediately on beat 1 of the following measure. And finally, mm. 125-126, emphasize the F Horn and Alto Saxophone parts.

SKU: CF.FPS171F

ISBN 9781491163979. UPC: 680160922765.

Serenata is a first-year band piece with a Latin dance flavor. It is an excellent study in independent part-playing for young bands. Balance is crucial among the following parts:1. Percussion must be steady and not overpowering. The cowbell should be played with a mallet or stick that will prevent its sound from being dominant in the percussion section.2. The bass line will require a delicate staccato articulation.3. Clarinets and horns must play the ostinato beginning at m. 5 in two- or four-measure phrases. This line must always feel unbroken.4. Trumpets must also use a delicate staccato at m. 17. Straight mutes are a nice touch if the section is big enough. Cup mutes are even better. A small trumpet section may play open.5. Flutes and alto saxes should always play legato when carrying the melody.The contrasting middle section, beginning at m. 28, should be articulated smoothly by the whole band. The alternating melodic lines should have tonal contrast, but should be the same dynamically. The bass line should fade into the background at this point.A first-year band can play Serenata for their Spring Concert.Thank you for choosing this selection. I hope you and your students find it instructive and enjoyable.

SKU: CF.YPS227F

ISBN 9781491155202. UPC: 680160913749. 9 x 12 inches.

Sandhills Saga was commissioned by the Aberdeen Middle School Band of North Carolina led by Neil P. McCrimmon. The composition opens slowly and quietly with a principal theme presented by the flutes and oboe. The theme is repeated by the alto saxophones and trumpet in canon with the flutes, oboe and clarinets. The head motive of the theme is repeated and imitated, sometimes in inversion, as the A-section comes to a quiet close. The auxiliary percussion instruments play an integral role in creating the delicate colors of the A-section. The trumpets introduce the contrasting Alla marcia section and then are joined by the alto saxophones for a presentation of a syncopated, martial version of the principal theme. The low brass take the lead, in canon with the upper woodwinds, for a repetition of this theme. A quieter (but still syncopated) section provides contrast and leads to the return of the march theme. The low brass lead once again as the upper woodwinds provide an arching countermelody. A brief coda brings the work to a lively close.

SKU: CF.CPS276

ISBN 9781491163757. UPC: 680160922543.

Written by John Philip Sousa in appreciation of an honor given to him by the Board of Directors of the 1893 St. Louis Exposition, The Directorate was one of the first pieces that he composed for his newly formed Sousa Band. Featuring lively wind parts, contrasting dynamics, interesting harmonic twists in the trio, and a rousing final strain, this march is ideal for teaching the classic march style.Re-scored for the contemporary concert band's instrumentation from Sousa's original Carl Fischer composition, this march is now ready to be discovered by a new generation of performers.