Light Flight

SKU: CF.CPS244F

ISBN 9781491157992. UPC: 680160916597. 9 x 12 inches.

On Wings of Flight is a jubilant, short overture that is meant to convey the wonder of soaring high above the ground. Programmatically, it can represent either the flight of birds or aircraft. Donat be concerned if you donat have some of the lower voice color instruments such as bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, and/or bassoon. Those instruments are doubled in the low brass. Bass trombone isnat essential as it doubles tuba, but a lack or scarcity of bass trombone and/or tuba isnat critical if you do have those other low woodwinds. The repetitive eighth-note accents should be lighter than normal so the ongoing effect is more propulsive than heavy. Keep those eighth-note patterns locked into the tempo so the band refrains from unwittingly accelerating. Think of the legato accented notes as slightly separated as opposed to being slurred. When the accented whole notes surrounded by rests are played, be sure they are held out for a full four counts. Save the crescendo for m. 19 and quickly drop back down in volume at m. 21. At m. 31, the whole notes do not crescendo to the same ff volume as the melody. Those parts are to save their crescendo for m. 35. Pay attention to the instruments that do not diminuendo at m. 39. In the slower section after m. 41, be careful that the diminuendos on the half notes donat sag in pitch as the notes get softer. Trumpets and horns at m. 49 must not play their notes as accents. Give particular attention to the diminuendos in the melody at m. 56, so that they fade out as the volume of the other instruments grows. The accented notes at mm. 85 and 86 should each be heard through the volume of the rest of the instruments, so that the addition of each pitch is adequately heard. If you wish, you may place more emphasis on the accents in the last two measures of the piece than you did earlier throughout the piece.
On Wings of Flight is a jubilant, short overture that is meant to convey the wonder of soaring high above the ground. Programmatically, it can represent either the flight of birds or aircraft. Don't be concerned if you don't have some of the lower voice color instruments such as bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, and/or bassoon. Those instruments are doubled in the low brass. Bass trombone isn't essential as it doubles tuba, but a lack or scarcity of bass trombone and/or tuba isn't critical if you do have those other low woodwinds. The repetitive eighth-note accents should be lighter than normal so the ongoing effect is more propulsive than heavy. Keep those eighth-note patterns locked into the tempo so the band refrains from unwittingly accelerating. Think of the legato accented notes as slightly separated as opposed to being slurred. When the accented whole notes surrounded by rests are played, be sure they are held out for a full four counts. Save the crescendo for m. 19 and quickly drop back down in volume at m. 21. At m. 31, the whole notes do not crescendo to the same ff volume as the melody. Those parts are to save their crescendo for m. 35. Pay attention to the instruments that do not diminuendo at m. 39. In the slower section after m. 41, be careful that the diminuendos on the half notes don't sag in pitch as the notes get softer. Trumpets and horns at m. 49 must not play their notes as accents. Give particular attention to the diminuendos in the melody at m. 56, so that they fade out as the volume of the other instruments grows. The accented notes at mm. 85 and 86 should each be heard through the volume of the rest of the instruments, so that the addition of each pitch is adequately heard. If you wish, you may place more emphasis on the accents in the last two measures of the piece than you did earlier throughout the piece.
On Wings of Flight is a jubilant, short overture that is meant to convey the wonder of soaring high above the ground. Programmatically, it can represent either the flight of birds or aircraft.Don’t be concerned if you don’t have some of the lower voice color instruments such as bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, and/or bassoon. Those instruments are doubled in the low brass. Bass trombone isn’t essential as it doubles tuba, but a lack or scarcity of bass trombone and/or tuba isn’t critical if you do have those other low woodwinds.The repetitive eighth-note accents should be lighter than normal so the ongoing effect is more propulsive than heavy. Keep those eighth-note patterns locked into the tempo so the band refrains from unwittingly accelerating. Think of the legato accented notes as slightly separated as opposed to being slurred.When the accented whole notes surrounded by rests are played, be sure they are held out for a full four counts. Save the crescendo for m. 19 and quickly drop back down in volume at m. 21. At m. 31, the whole notes do not crescendo to the same ff volume as the melody. Those parts are to save their crescendo for m. 35. Pay attention to the instruments that do not diminuendo at m. 39.In the slower section after m. 41, be careful that the diminuendos on the half notes don’t sag in pitch as the notes get softer. Trumpets and horns at m. 49 must not play their notes as accents. Give particular attention to the diminuendos in the melody at m. 56, so that they fade out as the volume of the other instruments grows.The accented notes at mm. 85 and 86 should each be heard through the volume of the rest of the instruments, so that the addition of each pitch is adequately heard. If you wish, you may place more emphasis on the accents in the last two measures of the piece than you did earlier throughout the piece.

SKU: HL.1224660

UPC: 196288143635. 6.75x10.5x0.029 inches.

Now available for treble voices. Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot John Magee wrote his popular poem “High Flight” when he was just 19 years old. In the poem, he describes the delirious feeling of wheeling and soaring, and an intimate connection with the divine. Setting these words, the composer's music soars and dives and floats and reflects the joy this young pilot experienced from the pilot's chair.

SKU: CL.011-2914-01

A wonderful way to encourage and challenge your best young players is by featuring them on a solo with band accompaniment. Larry Neeck’s Solo Flight is a delightful solo feature for virtually almost any instrument in the band (Bb, Eb, C & Bass Clef Solo Parts are included with the set). Light in nature, it will be a welcome addition to any concert. Playable and enjoyable, this piece can pay big dividends to your band program! Recorded on the CD A Lantern In The Window by The Washington Winds.

About C.L. Barnhouse Command Series

The Barnhouse Command Series includes works at grade levels 2, 2.5, and 3. This series is designed for middle school and junior high school bands, as well as high school bands of smaller instrumentation or limited experience. Command Series publications have a slightly larger instrumentation than the Rising Band Series, and are typically of larger scope, duration, and musical content.

SKU: CF.YPS234

ISBN 9781491158203. UPC: 680160916801. 9 x 12 inches.

Flight of the Eagle is a driving fanfare highlighting all sections of the band. Written in a mature style, brass and saxophones begin the piece in a half-time feel with accentuated percussion interjections. Rehearsal 16, the flutes, oboes, and percussion are the driving pulse, while the other voices have the melodic content. The style is noticeably different at Rehearsal 28 with accented notes throughout. Rehearsal 35 introduces the new rhythmic ostinato, which should diminuendo so the melody can be heard. Rehearsal 67 is similar to Rehearsal 28 to the end, and percussion should dampen on the final note of the piece.

SKU: CL.RWS-1930-00

Just before the sun breaks through the morning clouds, the Dragon Riders prepare their mighty beasts for flight. In this exciting piece for developing band, take your musicians and audience to the skies as the dragons soar through the clouds reigning over the world below. Your students will love this imaginative work by F. Scott Kroll!

SKU: XC.DSO2104

UPC: 812598037487. 9 x 12 inches.

Newcomer Liam Ramsey-White flies out of the gate with Dragon's Flight! Liam knows how to write for string orchestra and it shows with this dynamic and intense work. Students will take a journey alongside this ancient and mythical creature in this light and fun work, perfect for any concert opener or closer.

SKU: XC.DSO2104FS

UPC: 812598037180. 9 x 12 inches.

Newcomer Liam Ramsey-White flies out of the gate with Dragon's Flight! Liam knows how to write for string orchestra and it shows with this dynamic and intense work. Students will take a journey alongside this ancient and mythical creature in this light and fun work, perfect for any concert opener or closer.

SKU: PR.31241902S

UPC: 680160690589. English.

Commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Society and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, Terra Nostra is a 70-minute oratorio on the relationship between our planet and humankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. Part I: Creation of the World explores various creation myths from different cultures, culminating in a joyous celebration of the beauty of our planet. Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines human achievements, particularly since the dawn of our Industrial Age, and how these achievements have impacted the planet. Part III: Searching for Balance questions how to create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. In addition to the complete oratorio, stand-alone movements for mixed chorus, and for solo voice with piano, are also available separately.
Terra Nostra focuses on the relationship between our planet and mankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. The oratorio is divided into three parts:Part I: Creation of the World celebrates the birth and beauty of our planet. The oratorio begins with creation myths from India, North America, and Egypt that are integrated into the opening lines of Genesis from the Old Testament. The music surges forth from these creation stories into “God’s World” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, which describes the world in exuberant and vivid detail. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “On thine own child” praises Mother Earth for her role bringing forth all life, while Walt Whitman sings a love song to the planet in “Smile O voluptuous cool-breathed earth!” Part I ends with “A Blade of Grass” in which Whitman muses how our planet has been spinning in the heavens for a very long time.Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines the achievements of mankind, particularly since the dawn of the Industrial Age. Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” sets an auspicious tone that mankind is on the verge of great discoveries. This is followed in short order by Charles Mackay’s “Railways 1846,” William Ernest Henley’s “A Song of Speed,” and John Gillespie Magee, Jr.’s “High Flight,” each of which celebrates a new milestone in technological achievement. In “Binsey Poplars,” Gerard Manley Hopkins takes note of the effect that these advances are having on the planet, with trees being brought down and landscapes forever changed. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “A Dirge” concludes Part II with a warning that the planet is beginning to sound a grave alarm.Part III: Searching for Balance questions how we can create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. Three texts continue the earth’s plea that ended the previous section: Lord Byron’s “Darkness” speaks of a natural disaster (a volcano) that has blotted out the sun from humanity and the panic that ensues; contemporary poet Esther Iverem’s “Earth Screaming” gives voice to the modern issues of our changing climate; and William Wordsworth’s “The World Is Too Much With Us” warns us that we are almost out of time to change our course. Contemporary/agrarian poet Wendell Berry’s “The Want of Peace” speaks to us at the climax of the oratorio, reminding us that we can find harmony with the planet if we choose to live more simply, and to recall that we ourselves came from the earth. Two Walt Whitman texts (“A Child said, What is the grass?” and “There was a child went forth every day”) echo Berry’s thoughts, reminding us that we are of the earth, as is everything that we see on our planet. The oratorio concludes with a reprise of Whitman’s “A Blade of Grass” from Part I, this time interspersed with an additional Whitman text that sublimely states, “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love…”My hope in writing this oratorio is to invite audience members to consider how we interact with our planet, and what we can each personally do to keep the planet going for future generations. We are the only stewards Earth has; what can we each do to leave her in better shape than we found her?

SKU: PR.31241902A

UPC: 680160690510. English.

Commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Society and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, Terra Nostra is a 70-minute oratorio on the relationship between our planet and humankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. Part I: Creation of the World explores various creation myths from different cultures, culminating in a joyous celebration of the beauty of our planet. Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines human achievements, particularly since the dawn of our Industrial Age, and how these achievements have impacted the planet. Part III: Searching for Balance questions how to create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. In addition to the complete oratorio, stand-alone movements for mixed chorus, and for solo voice with piano, are also available separately.
Terra Nostra focuses on the relationship between our planet and mankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. The oratorio is divided into three parts:Part I: Creation of the World celebrates the birth and beauty of our planet. The oratorio begins with creation myths from India, North America, and Egypt that are integrated into the opening lines of Genesis from the Old Testament. The music surges forth from these creation stories into “God’s World” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, which describes the world in exuberant and vivid detail. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “On thine own child” praises Mother Earth for her role bringing forth all life, while Walt Whitman sings a love song to the planet in “Smile O voluptuous cool-breathed earth!” Part I ends with “A Blade of Grass” in which Whitman muses how our planet has been spinning in the heavens for a very long time.Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines the achievements of mankind, particularly since the dawn of the Industrial Age. Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” sets an auspicious tone that mankind is on the verge of great discoveries. This is followed in short order by Charles Mackay’s “Railways 1846,” William Ernest Henley’s “A Song of Speed,” and John Gillespie Magee, Jr.’s “High Flight,” each of which celebrates a new milestone in technological achievement. In “Binsey Poplars,” Gerard Manley Hopkins takes note of the effect that these advances are having on the planet, with trees being brought down and landscapes forever changed. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “A Dirge” concludes Part II with a warning that the planet is beginning to sound a grave alarm.Part III: Searching for Balance questions how we can create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. Three texts continue the earth’s plea that ended the previous section: Lord Byron’s “Darkness” speaks of a natural disaster (a volcano) that has blotted out the sun from humanity and the panic that ensues; contemporary poet Esther Iverem’s “Earth Screaming” gives voice to the modern issues of our changing climate; and William Wordsworth’s “The World Is Too Much With Us” warns us that we are almost out of time to change our course. Contemporary/agrarian poet Wendell Berry’s “The Want of Peace” speaks to us at the climax of the oratorio, reminding us that we can find harmony with the planet if we choose to live more simply, and to recall that we ourselves came from the earth. Two Walt Whitman texts (“A Child said, What is the grass?” and “There was a child went forth every day”) echo Berry’s thoughts, reminding us that we are of the earth, as is everything that we see on our planet. The oratorio concludes with a reprise of Whitman’s “A Blade of Grass” from Part I, this time interspersed with an additional Whitman text that sublimely states, “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love…”My hope in writing this oratorio is to invite audience members to consider how we interact with our planet, and what we can each personally do to keep the planet going for future generations. We are the only stewards Earth has; what can we each do to leave her in better shape than we found her?

SKU: GI.G-1095

The Universe works in strange ways. Recorded almost three years ago, none of us could have known that when this recording was released the world would have lived through a life-altering pandemic or a tumultuous upheaval in the cultural awareness that now surrounds us. The work that opens this recording—with the words of Quaker George Fox that end with, “So be faithful, and live in that which doth not think the time long”—provides a haunting premonition regarding the time in which we live, Quaker George Fox is strangely prophetic about these days and perhaps provides a future caution for us all. The music chosen for this recording is strangely and poignantly relevant, I believe, for each of us. “The Fruit of Silence” by Pēteris Vasks reminds us to visit those beliefs that are most sacred in the work by Cortlandt Matthews. A deeply personal Requiem by Peter Relph, in reflection, remembers the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in the pandemic. And then there is Thomas LaVoy’s “O Great Beyond.” All great texts are timeless and speak to the universality of the human condition. Particularly, the George Fox text set by Jackson Hill and the Tagore text set by LaVoy give us messages to reinforce the humanness of each of us for hope. Two other works on this recording poignantly remind us of the passing of life, with the Relph Requiem and especially the final movement of “O Great Beyond.” May these words give comfort to all those who endured the deepest of Life’s losses during our shared pandemic journey. For so many loved ones, goodbyes were said in silence, and alone. It is our hope that all the music on this CD will show us a way for living as we move forward and also give loving comfort to those who have lost loved ones. Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet. Let it not be a death but completeness. Let love melt into memory and pain into songs. Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest. Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night. Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence. I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way. —Rabindranath Tagore in The Gardener (1913).