Simple Gifts: Concert Band: Score

This miniature suite of Appalachian favorites includes Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair Sourwood Mountain and Simple Gifts. Even at this easy level Paul Murtha has skillfully combined a mixture of musical styles in anarrangement that is well-paced and attainable by beginning bands. (2:30)

Written in 1943-44 as a ballet for Martha Graham Appalachian Spring is one of Aaron Copland's most celebrated compositions and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1945. In this edition for concert band Robert Longfield has skillfully adapted the most striking and beautiful sections from the orchestral suite. The work ranges in scope from delicate and soloistic to the overpowering force of the full ensemble culminating with Copland's signature setting of ?Simple Gifts?.A wonderful opportunity for band members and their audiences to enjoy this beloved music from one of America's pre-eminent composers.Instrumentation:Piccolo 4 x Flute I 4 x Flute II 2 x Oboe 2 x Bassoon 4 x Clarinet I 4 x Clarinet II 4 x Clarinet III 2 x Bass Clarinet 2 x Alto Saxophone I 2 x Alto Saxophone II 2 x Tenor Saxophone Baritone Saxophone 3 x Trumpet I 3 x Trumpet II 3 x Trumpet III Horn I Horn II Trombone Trombone II Baritone.

Here's an easy creative overture based on Simple Gifts which will make a fine addition to any concert or contest program. One of John Higgins' most programmed works for younger groups.

This grand traditional American folk song is suitable for every beginning band. The concrete scoring of the melody in a straightforward manner allows the flowing melody of sheer spender to dominate. Although it is set in 4/4 time this arrangement once mastered would serve as a splendid introduction to cut-time.

Here is a marvelous arrangement of this traditional melody using several variations in tempos and styles. The striking opening uses a fanfare-like style and open 5th harmonies and is followed by a woodwind statement of the theme.A faster and more rhythmic variation is then followed by a majestic and powerful closing segment. (3:15)

For Brass Quintet and Concert Band-Legendary composer arranger and author Rayburn Wright is responsible for initiating the storied jazz program at the Eastman School of Music and was also a composer for film and television. His masterful setting of Shakermelodies includes the familiar Simple Gifts along with The Happy Journey and I've Set My Face for Zion's Kingdom. Used to feature a separate brass quintet or with members within an ensemble's brass section this is truly a memorable setting adapted by current Eastman Wind Ensemble conductor Mark Davis Scatterday. Dur: 9:50 (Grade 5)Audio recorded by the Canadian Brass and the Eastman Wind Ensemble on Manhattan Music (OD7368) – Mark Davis Scatterday conductor

Britten's Jubilate is written for SATB choir and Organ accompaniment.Benjamin Britten's birthday (22nd November 1913 Lowestoft) falls on St. Cecilia's Day a happy augury for the career of one of Britain's greatestcomposers. Essentially a vocal composer Britten won international fame for his operas and song-cycles. He never abandoned the principles of tonality and was a 'modern' composer who reached a mass audience and a conservative whoseoriginality no radical would sensibly deny. He shared with his predecessors Parry Vaughan Williams and Holst an intense interest in works for amateurs and children. His brilliant gifts as a pianist and conductor coupled withhis virtuosic inventiveness also led him to compose music for great performers such as the cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and the singers Galina Vishnevskaya Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Janet Baker.The greatestpersonal influence on his music was the Tenor Peter Pears for whom he composed many operatic and vocal roles. In 1948 Britten Pears and Eric Crozier founded the Aldeburgh Festival now one of the most respected established fornew English music. In 1952 he was made a Companion of Honour in 1965 received the Order of Merit and in 1976 the year of his death he became the first composer to receive a life peerage.Oxford University Press wasBritten's first publisher. In the early 1930s A Boy Was Born and the Simple Symphony brought him great critical acclaim and launched his compositional career. Oxford is delighted to present some previouslyunpublished pieces in collaboration with the Britten Estate. These include the Double Concerto for Violin and Viola premiered at Snape by the Britten-Pears Orchestra under Kent Nagano in June 1997; Two Portraits forString Orchestra premiered on BBC Radio 3 in December 1995 by the Northern Sinfonia under Martyn Brabbins; The World Of The Spirit the full version first performed in 1938 on the BBC Home Service the abridged