Cymbals: A Crash Course

SKU: AP.19806

ISBN 9780739008461. UPC: 038081179728. English.

If you can read it rhythmically, you will be stronger musically. That's the premise of this focused songbook which introduces your students to 10 popular rhythm band instruments and the typical rhythms they play. Have some students sing, some play along---then trade! Products available: Teacher's Handbook (includes Reproducibles), Enhanced SoundTrax CD (Accompaniment/Performance tracks plus reproducible PDF files of Student Pages & Cover Art), or price-saving Book & CD Kit.

Titles: Shakin It Up! (Shakers) * Olé (Castanets) * Hit Those Sticks (Rhythm Sticks) * A Crash Course (Cymbals) * It's Time for Dinner! (Triangle) * Tick Tock (Woodblock) * Rum ba da Dum Bum Bum (Drum) * Shake My Maracas (Maracas) * The Old Soft Shoe (Sandpaper Blocks) * My New Tambourine (Tambourine).

SKU: CF.YPS218

ISBN 9781491156568. UPC: 680160915101. 9 x 12 inches.

Personal Note My high school band director, Clarence F. Wroblewski, died on November 24, 2018. In the 1950s, he was a pioneer in the field of public school instrumental music in Baltimore City. He was my mentor and my dear friend. It was his guidance and encouragement that set my young life's course on the path of music. Performance Notes Paradigm Shift is an energetic and aggressive concert piece for young bands with at least one year's training. It is also sophisticated enough for more experienced bands. Pitched in C minor, the piece opens with an energetic introduction which quickly leads to the main theme stated by the Clarinets at m. 9. A brass fanfare in C major ensues at m. 29. The woodwinds' answer to the brass fanfare at m. 39 contains divisi notes in the flute (doubled in the Oboe) which must be played. The music to the introduction is restated at m. 58, but is now shifted to the second beat of the measure by means of an additional beat inserted into m. 57. Younger bands may need some extra instruction in executing this time shift. Overall, the music should be performed boldly and with marcato articulation except where slurs are written.
Personal NoteMy high school band director, Clarence F. Wroblewski, died on November 24, 2018. In the 1950s, he was a pioneer in the field of public school instrumental music in Baltimore City. He was my mentor and my dear friend. It was his guidance and encouragement that set my young life's course on the path of music.Performance NotesParadigm Shift is an energetic and aggressive concert piece for young bands with at least one year’s training. It is also sophisticated enough for more experienced bands. Pitched in C minor, the piece opens with an energetic introduction which quickly leads to the main theme stated by the Clarinets at m. 9. A brass fanfare in C major ensues at m. 29. The woodwinds’ answer to the brass fanfare at m. 39 contains divisi notes in the flute (doubled in the Oboe) which must be played. The music to the introduction is restated at m. 58, but is now shifted to the second beat of the measure by means of an additional beat inserted into m. 57. Younger bands may need some extra instruction in executing this time shift. Overall, the music should be performed boldly and with marcato articulation except where slurs are written.

SKU: CF.FPS156F

ISBN 9781491156377. UPC: 680160914913. 9 x 12 inches.

Personal Note My high school band director, Clarence F. Wroblewski, died on November 24, 2018. In the 1950s, he was a pioneer in the field of public school instrumental music in Baltimore City. He was my mentor and my dear friend. It was his guidance and encouragement that set my young life's course on the path of music. Performance Notes The idea for Ghost Chasers is to have a spooky tune (m. 9, Trumpets) chasing around in simple counterpoint between two sections. (See m. 19). Students will find the independent part playing both challenging and fun. In the contrasting section at m. 30, young students will gain experience in changing their articulation from marcato to legato. Obeying the cues for low brass in this section is recommended, but depending on the instrumentation of the band, directors may disregard the cues if necessary. Directors may also wish to take the opportunity to teach a lesson about major and minor keys and discuss why the tune at m. 9 sounds spooky and the theme at m. 30 sound lighthearted. Overall, the main challenge for this piece is balance. For the chaser idea to be effective the half-measure lag between the two sections playing the same tune must be easily heard. Even more attention to balance must be paid at m. 45, where the spooky theme is added to the chasing theme. If Clarinets can play third-line written D, use it instead of the alternate cued note. If three Timpani are not available, omit the note D.
Personal NoteMy high school band director, Clarence F. Wroblewski, died on November 24, 2018. In the 1950s, he was a pioneer in the field of public school instrumental music in Baltimore City. He was my mentor and my dear friend. It was his guidance and encouragement that set my young life’s course on the path of music.Performance NotesThe idea for Ghost Chasers is to have a spooky tune (m. 9, Trumpets) chasing around in simple counterpoint between two sections. (See m. 19). Students will find the independent part playing both challenging and fun.In the contrasting section at m. 30, young students will gain experience in changing their articulation from marcato to legato. Obeying the cues for low brass in this section is recommended, but depending on the instrumentation of the band, directors may disregard the cues if necessary. Directors may also wish to take the opportunity to teach a lesson about major and minor keys and discuss why the tune at m. 9 sounds spooky and the theme at m. 30 sound lighthearted.Overall, the main challenge for this piece is balance. For the “chaser” idea to be effective the half-measure lag between the two sections playing the same tune must be easily heard. Even more attention to balance must be paid at m. 45, where the “spooky” theme is added to the “chasing” theme.If Clarinets can play third-line written D, use it instead of the alternate cued note. If three Timpani are not available, omit the note D.

SKU: CF.CPS230

ISBN 9781491156308. UPC: 680160914845. 9 x 12 inches.

Personal Note My high school band director, Clarence F. Wroblewski, died on November 24, 2018. In the 1950s, he was a pioneer in the field of public school instrumental music in Baltimore City. He was my mentor and my dear friend. It was his guidance and encouragement that set my young life's course on the path of music. Performance Notes Bay Shore Park is intended for a band with at least one year's training. It is also suitable for more experienced bands. It should be performed as a traditional American style concert march. A successful performance will require careful attention to balance in the Trio at m. 55. Additionally, balance will also be crucial at m. 103 where the Trio melody and the melody from m. 9 are heard together. The overall character of the music should be lively and carefree, much like a summer day at Bay Shore Park on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.
Personal NoteMy high school band director, Clarence F. Wroblewski, died on November 24, 2018. In the 1950s, he was a pioneer in the field of public school instrumental music in  Baltimore City. He was my mentor and my dear friend. It was his guidance and encouragement that set my young life’s course on the path of music.Performance NotesBay Shore Park is intended for a band with at least one year’s training. It is also suitable for more experienced bands. It should be performed as a traditional American style concert march. A successful performance will require careful attention to balance in the Trio at m. 55. Additionally, balance will also be crucial at m. 103 where the Trio melody and the melody from m. 9 are heard together. The overall character of the music should be lively and carefree, much like a summer day at Bay Shore Park on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.

SKU: CF.CPS68F

ISBN 9780825864780. UPC: 798408064785. 9 X 12 inches. Key: Eb major.

From the brilliant fanfare figures of its opening through the various transformations of the 6/8 melody introduced by the alto saxophone, Spirals of Light charts an invigorating course that expertly exploits the kaleidoscope of colors available from the modern concert band. In addition, this dazzling selection makes striking use of the contrast between simple and compound time and is sophisticated in its use of syncopation and modern harmony.