SKU: BT.DHP-0981118-010

This piece was commissioned by the ‘Concert Band Vlamertinge’ and is a plea for peace: the title translates as ‘Peace on Earth’. This is expressed by means of the vocal contribution expected from the performers. In various places of the piece you can recognize, the words ‘Et In Terra Pax’ - an appeal for peace - at first jumbled together but later more rhythmically structured, developing into synchronized massed voices.The work starts with a pentatonic theme based on the notes D, E, G, A and C (taken from ‘ConCErtbAnD VlAmErtinGE’ and the name of the conductor, NiCk VAnDEnDriessChe). A somewhat sad melody is developed during an orchestral climax which leads to the firstexplosion of sound (measure 62 onwards). Suddenly the opening measures are recaptured, albeit with a differently colored sound: the words ‘Et In Terra Pax’ bring the first movement to a close. A restless Allegro follows which abruptly stops and is replaced by a calming cho-rale-like passage. A narrator reads aloud the poem ‘Sonnet’ by the young poet Charles Hamilton Sorley, who was killed during World War I. This poem fittingly puts into words the cruelty and senselessness of war. After the expanded recapitulation of the allegro, the broad, almost infinite atmosphere of the beginning returns. Clarinet and English horn play the pentatonic opening theme once more, this time broadly, while the words ‘Et In Terra... Pax’ are repeated again and again by the rest of the orchestra.The composer has purposely avoided all forms of aggression and bombastic sounds regularly used in works about war. Fear of violence and destruction can be heard and felt during the allegro passages. The charged opening makes way in the end for hope: May peacefulness replace cruelty in everyday life, too.

Dieses Werk wurde im Auftrag der Concert Band Vlamertinge geschrieben und ist ein Plädoyer an den Frieden: Der Titel bedeutet dann auch ‘Frieden auf Erden’. Dies kommt unter anderem im vokalen Anteil der Ausführenden zum Ausdruck. An verschiedenenStellen des Werkes erklingen, anfangs durcheinander dann zu einem rhythmischen und strukturierten Synchrongesang vereint, die Worte ‘Et In Terra Pax’ wie ein flehendes Gebet für den Frieden.

Ein pentatonisches Thema formt den Anfang dieses Werkes, basierend auf den Noten D, E, G, A, und C, die dem Namen: ‘ConCErtbAnD VlAmErtingE’ und dem Namen des Dirigenten NiCk VAnDEnDriessChe entstammen. Während der orchestralen Klimax, die zu einemersten Klangausbruch führt (ab Takt 62), entsteht eine etwas traurige Melodie. Plötzlich werden dann die Eingangstakte wiederaufgenommen, wenn auch mit einer veränderten Klangfarbe; die Worte ‘Et In Terra Pax’ runden den ersten Teil daraufhin ab. Esfolgt ein unruhiges Allegro, das überraschend durch eine Choralartigen Passage voller Ruhe unterbrochen wird. Eine Sprechstimme liest währenddessen das Gedicht Sonnet des jungen Dichters Charles Hamilton Sorley vor, der im ersten Weltkriegfiel. Es findet für die Grausamkeit und Sinnlosigkeit des Krieges die passenden Worte. Nachdem das Allegro, diesmal mit einigen Ausbreitungen, wiederholt wird, kehrt die weite, beinahe unendliche Atmosphäre des Beginns wieder zurück. Klarinettenspielen zusammen mit einem Englischhorn das pentatonische Eingangsthema ein letztes Mal in ausgebreiteter Fassung, wobei das “Et In Terra Pax’ durch den Rest des Orchesters stets wiederholt wird.Der Komponist hat bewusst auf jegliche Form der Aggression oder bombastischen Vertonung, die in so vielen Werken über den Krieg zu finden ist, vermieden. Dennoch ist die Angst vor Gewalt und Zerstörung vor allem in den Allegro-Passagen deutlich zuhören und zu fühlen. Am Ende macht die anfängliche Spannung jedoch der Hoffnung Platz: Möge die Friedlichkeit auch im täglichen Leben die Grausamkeit verbannen….

SKU: CF.SPS2

ISBN 9780825837272. UPC: 798408037277. 9 X 12 inches.

Three contrasting movements (Into the Future, Who Has Ever Touched the Sun? and Rondo: In the Nick of Time) make a modern suite, that is an excellent study in coloristic scoring for the modern concert band. The syncopations and use of angular melodic ideas will be somewhat challenging for advancing bands and help to make Upon a New Horizon an ideal showpiece for contest and festival performances. Duration: 9'.

SKU: CF.YPS214F

ISBN 9781491153017. UPC: 680160910519.

This new piece from composer George Sweet is a delightful combination of Scotland the Brave and Amazing Grace. Each tune on its own is wonderful, but in Sweet's setting, they are masterfully layered to reflect the composer's Scottish-American heritage. This presentation of a Scottish melody with Americana-inspired harmonies is a stunning example of compositional craft.
Bravery and Grace is a setting of the unofficial Scottish national anthem, Scotland the Brave. While the melody is taken from Scotland the Brave, the accompaniment and harmony both have a “Western Americana” feel, reminiscent of composers like Roy Harris and Aaron Copland.  This combination of a Scottish melody with American harmony is a reflection of the composer’s Scottish-American Heritage.The piece begins with a fragment of Scotland the Brave presented in a lush and reflective context. The main theme is performed in full by the upper voices at m. 9. The middle voices perform the material at m. 17, and the lower voices perform it again at m. 33. This results in a loud passage representing pipers at m. 46. The traditional spiritual Amazing Grace appears suddenly at m. 51 in a somewhat polytonal setting. This is, once again, reminiscent of practices of the aforementioned American composers.  After this lyrical presentation, a fragment of the main theme returns at m. 66. This is followed by a broad restatement of the theme at m. 70 and a brisk conclusion with a final flair of polytonality.

SKU: CF.CPS228F

ISBN 9781491153222. UPC: 680160910724.

Black light is defined as infrared or ultraviolet light which is invisible to the naked eye. The idea of an entire spectra existing out of the range of human perception was a large influencing factor for George Sweet in the composition of this piece. Richly scored for the modern concert band, Black Light is written in a post-minimalist style and is also heavily influenced by the work of American composers Steve Reich, John Adams, and Philip Glass.
Black light is defined as infrared or ultraviolet light which is invisible to the naked eye. The idea of an entire spectra existing out of the range of human perception was an influencing factor on the composition of the piece. Black Light is written in a post-minimalist style and is also heavily influenced by the work of American composers Steve Reich, John Adams, and Philip Glass.This begins with strict motor accompaniment. Take care to maintain equal balance among the different “moving parts” so that they blend to create a solid whole both here and throughout the piece. The primary thematic material is stated by the trumpets and horns at m. 12. This material is the basis for much of the harmonic and thematic material that follows. A slightly varied statement of the main theme is presented again at m. 26 with a different type of motor accompaniment. This leads to a B-section at m. 44, which is a bold fanfare-like presentation of the main material. Another series of variations on the main theme begins at m. 50 and incorporates many different textural and harmonic ideas in the accompaniment. Once again, be careful to not let any one “moving part” overwhelm another and keep the texture evenly balanced.  A second, broader presentation of the B-section occurs at m. 90 and leads to a subdued C-section at m. 100 with new melodic material presented in the trumpet. A whimsical march-like section pushes to the return of the introductory motor material at m. 131. A final heroic presentation of the main thematic material results in a somewhat ambiguous coda, which brings the piece to a dramatic conclusion.

SKU: CF.BPS20F

ISBN 9780825844546. UPC: 798408044541. 9 X 12 inches. Key: Bb major.

Using only the first six notes young players are taught, Larry Clark encourages upright thinking with this aptly titled, somewhat stern piece. The music's seriousness and amazing variety of harmonic sophistication belie the narrow range of the materials involved. An excellent piece for contest and festivals, Character will make a very strong impression whenever it is performed. Duration: 2' 20.

SKU: CF.SPS20

ISBN 9780825851599. UPC: 798408051594. 9 X 12 inches. Key: Eb major.

Full of spirit and life, this expansive work features marvelous dialogue among the sections of the band. Somewhat Coplandesque in style, it has vigorous percussion parts that add lots of punch! This is an especially effective concert opener!

SKU: CF.BPS48

ISBN 9780825864339. UPC: 798408064334. 9 X 12 inches. Key: Bb major.

Using the basic melodic shape of Silent Night, Sean O'Loughlin has written a lively piece that goes in a quite different, more up-to-date direction than the familiar, reflective Carol. The noise makers of the percussion section are given a lively role to play, and the introduction, by the low brass, of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, in the middle of the piece, creates a somewhat ironic twist in this amusing re-imagining of a classic carol.