Format : Score and Parts
SKU: PR.362034230
ISBN 9781598069556. UPC: 680160624225. Letter inches. English.
When the Texas Choral Consort asked Welcher to write a short prologue to Haydn's The Creation, his first reaction was that Haydn already presents Chaos in his introductory movement. As he thought about it, Welcher began envisioning a truer void to precede Haydn's depiction of Chaos within the scope of 18th-century classical style - quoting some of Haydn's themes and showing human voices and inhuman sounds in a kind of pre-creation melange of color, mood, and atmosphere. Welcher accepted this challenge with the proviso that his prologue would lead directly into Haydn's masterpiece without stopping, and certainly without applause in between. Scored for mixed chorus and Haydn's instrumentation, Without Form and Void is a dramatically fresh yet pragmatic enhancement to deepen any performance of Haydn's The Creation. Orchestral score and parts are available on rental.When Brent Baldwin asked me to consider writing a short prologue to THE CREATION, my first response was “Why?” THE CREATION already contains a prologue; it’s called “Representation of Chaos”, and it’s Haydn’s way of showing the formless universe. How could a new piece do anything but get in the way? But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The Age of Enlightenment’s idea of “Chaos” was just extended chromaticism, no more than Bach used (in fact, Bach went further).Perhaps there might be a way to use the full resources of the modern orchestra (or at least, a Haydn-sized orchestra) and the modern chorus to really present a cosmic soup of unborn musical atoms, just waiting for Haydn’s sure touch to animate them. Perhaps it could even quote some of Haydn’s themes before he knew them himself, and also show human voices and inhuman sounds in a kind of pre-creation mélange of color, mood, and atmosphere. So I accepted the challenge, with the proviso that my new piece not be treated as some kind of “overture”, but would instead be allowed to lead directly into Haydn’s masterpiece without stopping, and certainly without applause. I crafted this five minute piece to begin with a kind of “music of the spheres” universe-hum, created by tuned wine glasses and violin harmonics. The chorus enters very soon after, with the opening words of Genesis whispered simultaneously in as many languages as can be found in a chorus. The first two minutes of my work are all about unborn human voices and unfocused planetary sounds, gradually becoming more and more “coherent” until we finally hear actual pitches, melodies, and words. Three of Haydn’s melodies will be heard, to be specific, but not in the way he will present them an hour from now. It’s almost as if we are listening inside the womb of the universe, looking for a faint heartbeat of worlds, animals, and people to come. At the end of the piece, the chorus finally finds its voice with a single word: “God!”, and the orchestra finally finds its own pulse as well. The unstoppable desire for birth must now be answered, and it is----by Haydn’s marvelous oratorio. I am not a religious man in any traditional sense. Neither was Haydn, nor Mozart, nor Beethoven. But all of them, as well as I, share in what is now called a humanistic view of how things came to be, how life in its many forms developed on this planet, and how Man became the recorder of history. The gospel according to John begins with a parody of Genesis: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” I love that phrase, and it’s in that spirit that I offer my humble “opener” to the finest work of one of the greatest composers Western music has ever known. My piece is not supposed to sound like Haydn. It’s supposed to sound like a giant palette, on which a composer in 1798 might find more outrageous colors than his era would permit…but which, I hope, he would have been delighted to hear.
SKU: AP.38296
UPC: 038081440743. English.
From Grieg's Holberg Suite, Op. 40, this setting of the first movement is exciting and a true celebration of sound. It is easy to rehearse and will come together rather quickly. It may be used as an opener or closer in the program. Enjoy this authentic-sounding short version from the beginning to the breathtaking finish. Regal in nature, this arrangement will be a cherished addition to the beginning band repertoire, suitable for contest and concert settings. Bravo! (2:30) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
SKU: LO.60-1076H
UPC: 000308059205.
Fred has a knack for creating interesting music that sounds totally fresh and is easy to play. This unique bossa nova uses inverted pedal point to provide the ideal tuning pitches for each section of the band...including bass and guitar! The beauty of the chart is that your group will be playing ôcool sounding music while they're tuning. Perfect Pitch is also an ideal concert opener for a young jazz group-they'll be able to play with confidence from the first measure.
SKU: AP.50156
UPC: 038081573267. English.
This Celtic-inspired original is an exceptional testament to music, a powerful tool for human expression. Compelling lyrics come from the unique perspective of song itself, 'I am the spark that glows in you . . . the voice that grows in you . . . the hope that springs in you . . . the truth that rings in you. A lilting 6/8 meter and sweeping choral lines garner an epic effect and create an impressive opener, closer, or concert theme.
About Alfred Choral Designs
The Alfred Choral Designs Series provides student and adult choirs with a variety of secular choral music that is useful, practical, educationally appropriate, and a pleasure to sing. To that end, the Choral Designs series features original works, folk song settings, spiritual arrangements, choral masterworks, and holiday selections suitable for use in concerts, festivals, and contests.
SKU: CL.023-4013-01
Based upon the familiar Christmas carol Angels We Have Heard on High, this exciting fanfare is perfect for young bands at their very first holiday concert. Featuring the winds and percussion, this dramatic fanfare will be an impressive opener and a real crowd pleaser. Ring in the holidays with Fanfare Noel!.
SKU: HL.35027809
UPC: 884088546915. 4.75x5 inches.
Uses: General, Call To WorshipScripture: Philippians 4:4This anthem scored for SAB voices sounds extremely rich and full. The optional cued notes open the piece up to larger ensembles while the use of the well-known hymn, Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart, gives directors an option to incorporate congregational participation. Ideal as a worship opener, this anthem could also be easily used for mass choirs and festival use.
SKU: CL.023-4211-01
First Light is a dynamic and forceful fanfare for the youngest musicians. Written using only the first six notes found in most beginning band books, this exciting fanfare will be the perfect opener for your first full band concerts. Interesting wind parts are complimented by the dramatic percussion scoring making your young ensemble sound impressively full.
SKU: CL.023-4182-01
Energize your beginning band with Sonic Ascent, a triumphant concert opener that fuels a young musician’s aspiration to play an instrument. Using just six notes in all the wind parts, bold melodies are shared by each section in the ensemble. The middle section offers opportunities to develop the ensemble’s awareness of dynamic and articulation contrast through a series of short call and response motifs between the sections. A brilliant opener for that very first band concert!
SKU: CL.023-4430-01
This adventuresome march for beginning band is a tribute to those courageous test pilots who first broke the sound barrier. Using only the first six notes taught in most beginning band methods, Mach One will make a majestic concert opener or closer that your students will be proud to perform. Inspiring!
SKU: CL.023-4182-00
SKU: CL.023-4009-01
Bold and dramatic, Declarata is the perfect opener for your beginning band concert. A dramatic fanfare, which proceeds to an exciting, energetic theme, is solidly scored and full-sounding, and utilizes only the first six notes of the Bb concert scale. Guaranteed to build confidence for your beginning band, Declarata will make a strong statement at your band’s first concert.
SKU: CL.023-4678-00
The Mighty Empire march, composed for the very beginning band, is an opportunity to introduce the traditional march style to your young musicians. Using only six notes, this is also an excellent teaching tool to reinforce staccato and accent articulations. Appropriate for any concert or festival program, this is a powerful opener for your next performance.
SKU: CL.023-4539-01
Alien Crossfire combines contrasting themes to create powerful and exciting musical moments that your students will be eager to perform. The battle is on in this adventurous and exciting fanfare/opener for beginning bands. Using only the first six notes taught in most beginning band methods, Alien Crossfire is a dramatic and accessible work that will thrill students and audiences. Highly recommended!
SKU: CL.023-4678-01
SKU: CL.023-4775-00
Learning to play a band instrument can be very challenging. Challenge Accepted! celebrates your young band’s achievements in this exciting opener, with only the first six notes used in band instruction. Rhythms and ranges are carefully written to support student success, and help to make this a fun piece to rehearse and perform. With very accessible melodies and harmonies, your students will enjoy how good they sound playing Challenge Accepted!.
SKU: CL.RWS-2040-01
Written as an opener for your beginning band concert, Fanfare Fantastique is bold, exciting and aggressive work that will clearly make a strong musical statement. Active percussion combined with powerful melodic lines in the brass and woodwinds, this new contemporary classic by Robert W. Smith will make your young band sound mature and artistically accomplished. Appropriate for any concert or festival performance.
SKU: CL.023-4539-00
SKU: CL.023-4775-01
SKU: CL.023-4374-01
Capture your beginning bands imagination with this aggressive concert opener using only the first six notes introduced in most band methods. Each part is written with melodic interest. Memorable themes, changing textures and contrasting styles make this an outstanding teaching piece suitable for concert and festival use. A superb addition to the beginning band repertoire!
