Canyonland Skies

SKU: CF.CAS80

ISBN 9780825894817. UPC: 798408094812. 9 x 12 inches. Key: D major.

Composer Deborah Baker Monday provides us with an exciting new composition that contains all of the grandeur of the American West. With wide open spaces, reminiscent of pieces from the Americana composers of the last century, this will be a perfect choice to highlight your group at contest and festival performances.
Canyonland Skies is a programmatic work which was composed for the 2013 Utah/American String Teachers Association (ASTA) composition competition. The required element for the contest was that the entry should have a theme based on something native to the state of Utah.This original work attempts to represent the brilliance of the Utah sky; the clearest blue by day, with its blinding bright sun and the deepest dark blue of night, with a palette of stars which are breathtaking. The sunrise and sunset scenarios are uniquely remarkable from wherever one may be observing. At any one moment or another, these magnificent visions of color are always fresh and different.Canyonland Skies uses the bright key of D major to maximize the sonority of the string instruments. Excellent opportunities for drone-like intonation practices abound. Scalewise passages build and build for the strong harmonic changes which drive the piece to a contrasting section.G major dominates the jaunty middle section, which suggests a smooth ride on an open road. Melodic opportunities abound while the piece soars to a satisfying reflection of the opening material.Canyonland Skies is the winning Composition of the 2013 Composition Contest sponsored by the Utah Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.Sit back and begin a road trip with your students. With your navigation they will create a soundtrack for this beautiful journey.

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

This series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians