Beginning with 4 Mallets

SKU: PR.416411770

UPC: 680160091508.

I was tempted to call the piece Throw Back because it consciously employs rhythmic and harmonic approaches characteristic of the earlier part of the twentieth century, much of which plays a part in forging my musical personality. Going along with the impetus, I have paid homage by subtly interpolating stylistic or actual references to such unexpected bedfellows as Scriabin, Ravel, Debussy, Piston, Roussel, and Ysaye. I hope I will be musically forgiven. In one continuous movement, there are three definite internal sections: Presto-Largo-Allegro. The first section opens with a very soft percussion cadenza. If the acoustics allow it, the player will use sponge pottery mallets (sponge-headed mallets employed to smooth the interior of a pot as it is being spin-dried). No matter how hard the percussionist strikes the drums, the dynamic cannot go above pp (pianissimo). This cadenza serves as a basis for the first movement. The elements of the cadenza are taken by the orchestra to make the first major statement, similar to the classical concerto; but rather than making a restatement, the soloists, when they come in, begin with variational ideas. The second section is given over to the soloists, and is lyrical. The third section begins with an alternation between strict rhythmic pulsation and free-sounding timbres, as if reluctant to leave the second section behind. The rhythmic aspect takes over more and more as the piece progresses toward its conclusion. Double Play was commissioned by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra with financial assistance from the Northwest Area Foundation. It received its premiere on January 7, 1983, in St. Paul, with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; Pinchas Zukerman, violinist; Marc Neikrug, piano; and the composer conducting.

SKU: HL.35018540

UPC: 747510051428. 8.5x11.0x0.017 inches. Andre J. Thomas/arr.L. Afdahl.

Andre J. Thomas' two songs, Rockin' in the Land and Ringen Dem Bells, are combined in this toe-tapping, finger-snapping rendition. Please take this literally as the treble ringers are required to snap on the off-beats while the bass ringers play riffs with mallets on tabled bells in the beginning section! The fun continues from there and only stop to relax for a passage of handchimes (3 to 5-octaves) in chorale style.

SKU: CF.BAS5

ISBN 9780825845086. UPC: 798408045081. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: D major.

The musical effect of Prarie Lullaby should be graceful and serene, evocative of a peaceful night on the open plains. To that end, players will need to strive for an unlabored rhythmic flow, smooth bowing and a clear, steady tone as close to p as possible. Beginning at m.39, the violin and viola parts are marked pizzicato. If young players are unable to return quickly to argo at m.53, they may make the bow preparation easier by taking a full measure rest at m.52. This option is marked in the parts and score. The divisi notes at m. 69 are provided for ensembles which lack violas. Ensembles with violas may have them play the lower notes while the second violins play the upper notes. Percussion, which is completely optional, should be very subdued. Choose a bell mallet which allows the tones to be heard just above the strings. the woodblock part is intended to imitate the clip-clop sound of a horse's hooves. Two different sizes of woodblocks or temple blocks are needed. Finding two suitable sounds on one woodblock is difficult. Again, the right mallets are very important. The suspended cymbal should be played with brushes if the string ensemble is small. If the suspended cymbal with brushes cannot be heard above a large number of strings, then sticks should be used instead. The percussion part can be performed by one player, provided the instruments and mallets are set up properly and the player has the skill to make the transitions smoothly. Note the optional rest at mm. 53-54. Performance time with the repeat is two and a half minutes.
The musical effect ofA Prarie LullabyA should be graceful and serene, evocative of a peaceful night on the open plains. To that end, players will need to strive for an unlabored rhythmic flow, smooth bowing and a clear, steady tone as close toA p as possible. Beginning at m.39, the violin and viola parts are markedA pizzicato. If young players are unable to return quickly toA argo at m.53, they may make the bow preparation easier by taking a full measure rest at m.52. This option is marked in the parts and score. TheA divisiA notes at m. 69 are provided for ensembles which lack violas. Ensembles with violas may have them play the lower notes while the second violins play the upper notes. Percussion, which is completely optional, should be very subdued. Choose a bell mallet which allows the tones to be heard just above the strings. the woodblock part is intended to imitate the clip-clop sound of a horse's hooves. Two different sizes of woodblocks or temple blocks are needed. Finding two suitable sounds on one woodblock is difficult. Again, the right mallets are very important. The suspended cymbal should be played with brushes if the string ensemble is small. If the suspended cymbal with brushes cannot be heard above a large number of strings, then sticks should be used instead. The percussion part can be performed by one player, provided the instruments and mallets are set up properly and the player has the skill to make the transitions smoothly. Note the optional rest at mm. 53-54. Performance time with the repeat is two and a half minutes.
The musical effect ofA Prarie LullabyA should be graceful and serene, evocative of a peaceful night on the open plains. To that end, players will need to strive for an unlabored rhythmic flow, smooth bowing and a clear, steady tone as close toA p as possible. Beginning at m.39, the violin and viola parts are markedA pizzicato. If young players are unable to return quickly toA argo at m.53, they may make the bow preparation easier by taking a full measure rest at m.52. This option is marked in the parts and score. TheA divisiA notes at m. 69 are provided for ensembles which lack violas. Ensembles with violas may have them play the lower notes while the second violins play the upper notes. Percussion, which is completely optional, should be very subdued. Choose a bell mallet which allows the tones to be heard just above the strings. the woodblock part is intended to imitate the clip-clop sound of a horse's hooves. Two different sizes of woodblocks or temple blocks are needed. Finding two suitable sounds on one woodblock is difficult. Again, the right mallets are very important. The suspended cymbal should be played with brushes if the string ensemble is small. If the suspended cymbal with brushes cannot be heard above a large number of strings, then sticks should be used instead. The percussion part can be performed by one player, provided the instruments and mallets are set up properly and the player has the skill to make the transitions smoothly. Note the optional rest at mm. 53-54. Performance time with the repeat is two and a half minutes.
The musical effect of Prarie Lullaby should be graceful and serene, evocative of a peaceful night on the open plains. To that end, players will need to strive for an unlabored rhythmic flow, smooth bowing and a clear, steady tone as close to p as possible. Beginning at m.39, the violin and viola parts are marked pizzicato. If young players are unable to return quickly to argo at m.53, they may make the bow preparation easier by taking a full measure rest at m.52. This option is marked in the parts and score. The divisi notes at m. 69 are provided for ensembles which lack violas. Ensembles with violas may have them play the lower notes while the second violins play the upper notes. Percussion, which is completely optional, should be very subdued. Choose a bell mallet which allows the tones to be heard just above the strings. the woodblock part is intended to imitate the clip-clop sound of a horse's hooves. Two different sizes of woodblocks or temple blocks are needed. Finding two suitable sounds on one woodblock is difficult. Again, the right mallets are very important. The suspended cymbal should be played with brushes if the string ensemble is small. If the suspended cymbal with brushes cannot be heard above a large number of strings, then sticks should be used instead. The percussion part can be performed by one player, provided the instruments and mallets are set up properly and the player has the skill to make the transitions smoothly. Note the optional rest at mm. 53-54. Performance time with the repeat is two and a half minutes.
The musical effect of Prarie Lullaby should be graceful and serene, evocative of a peaceful night on the open plains. To that end, players will need to strive for an unlabored rhythmic flow, smooth bowing and a clear, steady tone as close to p as possible. Beginning at m.39, the violin and viola parts are marked pizzicato. If young players are unable to return quickly to argo at m.53, they may make the bow preparation easier by taking a full measure rest at m.52. This option is marked in the parts and score. The divisi notes at m. 69 are provided for ensembles which lack violas. Ensembles with violas may have them play the lower notes while the second violins play the upper notes. Percussion, which is completely optional, should be very subdued. Choose a bell mallet which allows the tones to be heard just above the strings. the woodblock part is intended to imitate the clip-clop sound of a horse's hooves. Two different sizes of woodblocks or temple blocks are needed. Finding two suitable sounds on one woodblock is difficult. Again, the right mallets are very important. The suspended cymbal should be played with brushes if the string ensemble is small. If the suspended cymbal with brushes cannot be heard above a large number of strings, then sticks should be used instead. The percussion part can be performed by one player, provided the instruments and mallets are set up properly and the player has the skill to make the transitions smoothly. Note the optional rest at mm. 53-54. Performance time with the repeat is two and a half minutes.
The musical effect of Prarie Lullaby should be graceful and serene, evocative of a peaceful night on the open plains. To that end, players will need to strive for an unlabored rhythmic flow, smooth bowing and a clear, steady tone as close to p as possible.Beginning at m.39, the violin and viola parts are marked pizzicato. If young players are unable to return quickly to argo at m.53, they may make the bow preparation easier by taking a full measure rest at m.52. This option is marked in the parts and score.The divisi notes at m. 69 are provided for ensembles which lack violas. Ensembles with violas may have them play the lower notes while the second violins play the upper notes.Percussion, which is completely optional, should be very subdued. Choose a bell mallet which allows the tones to be heard just above the strings. the woodblock part is intended to imitate the clip-clop sound of a horse's hooves. Two different sizes of woodblocks or temple blocks are needed. Finding two suitable sounds on one woodblock is difficult. Again, the right mallets are very important. The suspended cymbal should be played with brushes if the string ensemble is small. If the suspended cymbal with brushes cannot be heard above a large number of strings, then sticks should be used instead.The percussion part can be performed by one player, provided the instruments and mallets are set up properly and the player has the skill to make the transitions smoothly. Note the optional rest at mm. 53-54.Performance time with the repeat is two and a half minutes.

About Carl Fischer Beginning String Orchestra Series

This series of Grade 1 pieces is designed for first year string groups. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Limited parts (often 2nd violin and viola are the same part, cello and bass are same part)
• Limited keys and rhythms - only simple 8th note patterns
• Limited independence of parts
• Playable after limited study time
• First position and natural bowings
• Piano for rehearsal and reinforcement

SKU: CF.BPS137

ISBN 9781491158487. UPC: 680160917082. 9 x 12 inches.

Fanfare and Jubilation is a Grade 1 work that is playable by any beginning band with any instrumentation due to extensive doubling. The mood is regal and optimistic and is non-programmatic, conveying no picturesque image or storyline. It is appropriate for any occasion. Accents are to be emphasized more than non-accented notes, but are not to be hammered hard. Stress that accented notes are to be played with the same good tone as the other notes and that pitches should not suffer from the additional emphasis. Think of the accents as more of an additional emphasis from the air column and not the tongue. Percussion accents are to played with more emphasis than non-accented notes, but shouldnat be perceived as being much louder. Timpani is only two pitches and is optional. The piece will not suffer at all if you donat have access to Timpani or a timpanist. Bells cover a wide rangea|the lower octave sections should not be played louder just because theyare low pitched, as those notes will still be appropriately heard while supporting the melody. Do not use brass mallets. Balter 10 Phenolic mallets or equivalent (such as clear Balter Lexan or white Medium Hard Poly models) are most appropriate. Think of the m. 10 accented quarter notes tied to the half notes (and similar later examples) as being akin to Horn rips in a Hollywood movie. They are to be emphasized slightly but should not be blaring. Even though they are the only things happening on counts 2 and 3, care must be given that the young players donat get carried away and give them more emphasis than is musically desired. At m. 21, be careful that the bass line isnat plodding or over-emphasized due to the accents. Those players should be aware of the sudden drop in volume and lack of accents at m. 25. Attention to sudden dynamic shifts will add interest to the piece and present a more musical performance. Throughout this entire section, try to get all winds to sustain a single breath through four bars until the breath marks. If they are unable to do so, please explain the concept of staggered breathing between members of their section. There may be a tendency among the players to blast out m. 57 to the end. Notes should have more power than the section from mm. 21-56, but are still to be approached musically. Explaining such concepts during their early musical development will go far in helping them develop good traits that will pay off dividends in the future.
Fanfare and Jubilation is a Grade 1 work that is playable by any beginning band with any instrumentation due to extensive doubling. The mood is regal and optimistic and is non-programmatic, conveying no picturesque image or storyline. It is appropriate for any occasion. Accents are to be emphasized more than non-accented notes, but are not to be hammered hard. Stress that accented notes are to be played with the same good tone as the other notes and that pitches should not suffer from the additional emphasis. Think of the accents as more of an additional emphasis from the air column and not the tongue. Percussion accents are to played with more emphasis than non-accented notes, but shouldn't be perceived as being much louder. Timpani is only two pitches and is optional. The piece will not suffer at all if you don't have access to Timpani or a timpanist. Bells cover a wide range...the lower octave sections should not be played louder just because they're low pitched, as those notes will still be appropriately heard while supporting the melody. Do not use brass mallets. Balter 10 Phenolic mallets or equivalent (such as clear Balter Lexan or white Medium Hard Poly models) are most appropriate. Think of the m. 10 accented quarter notes tied to the half notes (and similar later examples) as being akin to Horn rips in a Hollywood movie. They are to be emphasized slightly but should not be blaring. Even though they are the only things happening on counts 2 and 3, care must be given that the young players don't get carried away and give them more emphasis than is musically desired. At m. 21, be careful that the bass line isn't plodding or over-emphasized due to the accents. Those players should be aware of the sudden drop in volume and lack of accents at m. 25. Attention to sudden dynamic shifts will add interest to the piece and present a more musical performance. Throughout this entire section, try to get all winds to sustain a single breath through four bars until the breath marks. If they are unable to do so, please explain the concept of staggered breathing between members of their section. There may be a tendency among the players to blast out m. 57 to the end. Notes should have more power than the section from mm. 21-56, but are still to be approached musically. Explaining such concepts during their early musical development will go far in helping them develop good traits that will pay off dividends in the future.
Fanfare and Jubilation is a Grade 1 work that is playable by any beginning band with any instrumentation due to extensive doubling. The mood is regal and optimistic and is non-programmatic, conveying no picturesque image or storyline. It is appropriate for any occasion.Accents are to be emphasized more than non-accented notes, but are not to be hammered hard. Stress that accented notes are to be played with the same good tone as the other notes and that pitches should not suffer from the additional emphasis. Think of the accents as more of an additional emphasis from the air column and not the tongue.Percussion accents are to played with more emphasis than non-accented notes, but shouldn’t be perceived as being much louder. Timpani is only two pitches and is optional. The piece will not suffer at all if you don’t have access to Timpani or a timpanist. Bells cover a wide range…the lower octave sections should not be played louder just because they’re low pitched, as those notes will still be appropriately heard while supporting the melody. Do not use brass mallets. Balter 10 Phenolic mallets or equivalent (such as clear Balter Lexan or white Medium Hard Poly models) are most appropriate.Think of the m. 10 accented quarter notes tied to the half notes (and similar later examples) as being akin to Horn rips in a Hollywood movie. They are to be emphasized slightly but should not be blaring. Even though they are the only things happening on counts 2 and 3, care must be given that the young players don’t get carried away and give them more emphasis than is musically desired.At m. 21, be careful that the bass line isn’t plodding or over-emphasized due to the accents. Those players should be aware of the sudden drop in volume and lack of accents at m. 25. Attention to sudden dynamic shifts will add interest to the piece and present a more musical performance. Throughout this entire section, try to get all winds to sustain a single breath through four bars until the breath marks. If they are unable to do so, please explain the concept of staggered breathing between members of their section.There may be a tendency among the players to blast out m. 57 to the end. Notes should have more power than the section from mm. 21-56, but are still to be approached musically. Explaining such concepts during their early musical development will go far in helping them develop good traits that will pay off dividends in the future.

SKU: MN.30-706

UPC: 688670307065.

This spirited composition on the traditional American melody The Promised Land can be used as a good teaching tool as it employs multiple ringing techniques (TD, Pl or mallets, LV, martellato and shakes). The beginning forte section, written in a minor key, is a lively contrast to the slower middle section in a major key, using bells, chimes and later adding mallets. The piece climaxes to an exciting conclusion with ponderous minor chords. Written for 3-5 Octave Handbells, with opt. 3 Octave Handchimes.

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: HP.3022D

UPC: 763628230227. Joel Raney.

Christmas Carol This fun and boisterous arrangement includes mallets and many other stopped techniques. The lilting opening section gives way to a grandiose presentation of the melody and then returns to the swash-buckling melody of the beginning. Paired with piano, this would be a wonderful concert or Christmas selection.