SKU: CF.YPS212

ISBN 9781491152317. UPC: 680160909810. Key: C minor.

Taking its title from a poem about grief and loss by Chrissie Pinney, Live On honors the life of band director Linda Mann, to whom the piece is dedicated. The piece begins with a pensive intro before shifting to a whimsical theme that brings about happy thoughts of a life well-lived. After a return to the poignant opening material, the music surges to a triumphant conclusion based on an augmented version of the whimsical theme.
Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students, in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017. Linda Mann’s impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should “depict Linda’s personality: dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like.” They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey.  That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.Live OnNow as I live onWithout youI hope to keepThe pieces of youThat I loved so dearlyYour mannerismsAnd compassionate characterAnd smiles through struggleSo that youMay live on too -Chrissie PinneyI reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes. She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time. The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme. This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.–Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2017.

SKU: CF.BPS115

ISBN 9781491152010. UPC: 680160909513.

The Gauntlet is a piece written to sound bold and exciting while also being accessible to young performers with a limited range. Simple yet bold rhythms add excitement, heightened by the fact that every section has an opportunity to play melodic content. The interesting “development” section provides a contrast to the opening and helps to build the suspense before the return of the main theme. The percussion helps to drive the energy of the piece by providing a variety of colorful sounds including a gong solo at the end to signal the knight’s triumph.
A knight gallops over the rise of the hill into battle, determination shining in his eyes. He must charge through the treacherous lines and survive in order to preserve his kingdom and his honor. The pounding of the battle drums echoes the desperate pounding of his heart. Swords clash and the hooves of the horses strike the muddy ground. He must run this torturous gauntlet. Will he succeed before it is too late?The Gauntlet is a piece written to sound bold and exciting while also being easy for young players to perform due to the piece’s limited range (comprised of the first seven notes in most method books). Simple but bold rhythms add an air of excitement. This is heightened by the fact that every section has an opportunity to play melodic content, even the low brass. The interesting “development” section provides a contrast to the opening section and helps to build some intrigue and suspense before the return of the main theme. The percussion helps to drive the energy of the piece by providing lots of colorful sounds including a gong solo at the end to signal the knight’s triumph.

SKU: CF.CPS109F

ISBN 9780825874307. UPC: 798408074302. 9x12 inches.

Bells of Joy is a new collage of Christmas carols that can be performed with choir and band or just band alone. You will hear the popular tunes Carol of the Bells, Joy to the World, What Child is This? in a stunning, contemporary arrangement that can be put together in a few rehearsals. Well worth the effort!

SKU: CL.012-3543-75

SKU: BT.DHP-1135396-120

9x12 inches. English-Dutch.

This musical fantasy depicts the history of the Dutch fortified town of Elburg. The work begins with an atmospheric medieval picture of the Convent of St Agnes, the nunnery that was built in the first half of the 15th century. We hear the sound of the convent bells together with an upward motif, which will reappear later in the work. Next, the rest of Elburg is featured, including the fortress - from which the bells of the Sint-Nicolaaskerk (Saint Nicholas Church) are ringing. Then, cheerful sounds can be heard at the Vischpoort (Fish Gate), where a dancing group is performing a 16th century French folk dance (a branle des chevaux). We also hear old wagons rumbling over the town’scobble stones. Trade made this Hanseatic town a lively place. The repetitive upward motif first heard in the introduction now develops into a more distinct feature, reflecting the mercantile spirit of the town residents.Then follows the slow middle movement, in which the clock has been turned back to the time when Elburg was still lying on the Zuiderzee (which was a bay of the North Sea), and was struggling with floods. After the second St. Marcellus Flood (1362) and the water flood of 1367 it was decided that the town would be relocated. We now hear the theme of branle des chevaux in a minor key, followed by a death bell sounding in remembrance of the drowned citizens of the former town. Back in our own time, a slow, expressive theme in Baroque style mirrors Elburg’s tranquil places, such as the Feithenhof (Feithen Court) and the Weduwenhofje (Widow Court). Then the bustle returns with motifs from the introduction, followed by an attractive theme in which present-day Elburg is portrayed with its many tourists. Now, suddenly, there is an echo from the past, depicting the dramatic floods and wars that once plagued the town. This leads to the grand closing theme: branle des chevaux is heard for a final time from the perspective of the historic town centre.

Deze muzikale fantasie vertelt de geschiedenis van de Nederlandse vestingstad Elburg. Het werk begint met een middeleeuws sfeerbeeld vanuit het Agnietenklooster, het nonnenklooster dat in de eerste helft van de 15e eeuw werd gebouwd. We horen de kloosterklok samen met een opwaarts motief, dat ook later in het werk terugkomt. Vervolgens komt de rest van Elburg aan bod, inclusief de vesting - van waaruit de klokken van de Grote of Sint-Nicolaaskerk weergalmen. Dan klinken bij de Vischpoort de vrolijke geluiden van een dansgroep die daar een 16e-eeuwse Franse volksdans (branle des chevaux) uitvoert. Ook horen we oude karren over de kinderkopjes van de stad denderen. Dehandel maakt deze Hanzestad tot een levendige plaats. Het zich steeds herhalende opwaartse motief uit de inleiding krijgt hier een nadrukkelijker karakter en verbeeldt de handelsgeest van de stedelingen.Dan volgt het langzame middendeel, waarin de klok wordt teruggedraaid naar de tijd dat Elburg nog direct aan de Zuiderzee lag en te kampen had met overstromingen. Na de tweede Sint-Marcellusvloed (1362) en de watervloed van 1367 werd besloten dat de stad verplaatst zou worden. We horen het thema van de branle des chevaux in mineur, gevolgd door een doodsklok, die de verdronken inwoners van de voormalige stad herdenkt. Terug in onze eigen tijd verklankt een langzaam, expressief thema in barokke stijl de verstilde plekken in de stad, zoals het Feithenhof en het Weduwenhofje. Dan keert de levendigheid terug met motieven uit de inleiding, gevolgd door een aansprekend thema waarin het Elburg van nu met zijn vele toeristen doorklinkt. Plotseling is er dan nog even een echo uit het verleden: de dramatiek van de overstromingen en oorlogen die de stad ooit teisterden. Hieruit vloeit het grootse slotthema voort: de branle des chevaux is voor de laatste keer te horen vanuit het perspectief van de historische binnenstad.

SKU: CL.012-3543-01

This medley of three traditional Christmas carols is based on the legend that at midnight the evening Jesus was born all the bells on earth started to sound of their own accord. Included are three bell carols, The Bells of Bethlehem, Carol of the Bells, and Ding Dong! Merrily On High. The bells and chime parts add unique authenticity to the musical concept and holiday spirit of the piece. Ring the Bells on Christmas Day will be a big hit on your holiday season performances!

About Heritage of the March

Full-sized concert band editions of the greatest marches of all time. Each has been faithfully re-scored to accommodate modern instrumentation and incorporate performance practices of classic march style

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: CL.012-3233-01

An insipiring composition which features narration based on the story of how Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the famous carol, I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day. The hand bell choir part (3 octaves) is totally optional, but gives the director a method of involving local hand bell choirs in the holiday concert. The narration is essential to the performance and also provides an opportunity to involve a local dignitary into the performance. Very distinctive and unique.

SKU: CF.YPS201F

ISBN 9781491152898. UPC: 680160910397.

Already one of the most popular choral settings in the Carl Fischer Music catalog, Michael John Trotta's setting of Veni, Veni Emmanuel has now been skillfully transcribed by James Meredith for band. Trotta's setting of this seminal carol juxtaposes the old and new together in a refreshingly different approach to the song. The piece can work with band alone or with the popular choral setting. It is sophisticated enough for high school groups to put together quickly and can also work well with middle school groups.
This piece was conceived as a dialogue between the supplicants and the creator, a combination of old and new, juxtaposing a personal longing for something still to come, with the steadfast assurance of something ever-present yet not always seen. While the original theme is associated with the Christmas season, the wider theme of longing for something greater is universal to the human condition and allows this piece to be programmed throughout the year.This work may be performed with SATB Voices (published by Carl Fischer Music, CM9418).

SKU: FJ.ST6450

UPC: 241444387894. English.

Imagine a horse-drawn sleigh coasting leisurely through the park with blanket-coated passengers in tow. This music features a bright melody, a sparkly glockenspiel part, and jingle bells to mimic the sound of the sleigh. The melody is passed around to multiple sections in this light-hearted, and very playable addition to any holiday program.

About FJH Beginning Strings

Appropriate for first year string students. All instruments stay in first position, and optional third violin (viola) parts and piano are included to aid in rehearsal and performance situations. Grade 1 - 1.5