SKU: GI.G-6030

UPC: 785147603009. English, Latin. Text Source: Medieval English carol.

This treatment of the beautiful, medieval metaphor of the Virgin Mother is a welcomed addition to the settings that came before. It is a short, simple 8-measure carol in rolling parallel thirds with an easy keyboard accompaniment—and lots of room for expressive performance.

SKU: CF.YPS204F

ISBN 9781491152928. UPC: 680160910427.

Avalon–Long Live the King is a medieval fantasy piece depicting the Isle of Avalon where the mystical sword Excalibur of King Arthur was forged. Composer Tyler Arcari unearths a solid piece for young bands that is both bold and dramatic. This piece is sure to spark the imagination of students and give them strong musical content with which they can develop their musicianship.
Program Notes:Avalon–Long live the King began its journey as a commission in honor of a dear friend and mentor. David Riggs is one of those band directors that just seems timeless. He is a powerhouse with such a stacked resume that it is easy to forget that at the end of the day he enjoys taking long bike rides with his lovely wife and whittling a piece of wood just as much as being a band director. He has touched so many lives and inspired so many people in our field and beyond. I was humbled, and honored, when I was contacted for the commission. To David, I hope that you one day know how much you mean to so many people, including myself.About the piece:The piece is written with a little homage to David’s long tenure at Avalon Middle school in Pace, Florida. He was certainly treated like a king as the band director and rightly so. It seemed only fitting to add a little medieval fantasy. Avalon is a mystical island in the world of King Arthur where the great sword Excalibur was forged.The piece begins lyrically with a slow introduction with melodic material. This melodic motive is used throughout with slight variations depending on the instrument voicing etc. Care should be taken at m. 10 that the Timpani roll helps to bridge our transition from an exposed section to full tutti. Care should be taken so that the tempo change at m. 19 is brisk and avoids the low brass turning into stomping. Accessories like the China cymbal and tambourine can become overpowering. I recommend having students think of these effects as background in order to make sure they don’t POP out. The dynamic changes at mm. 27-35 should be subito similar to orchestral dynamic changes. Avoid unwritten crescendos in this section. Measures 60–64 are a great opportunity to teach those unwritten dynamics that make music so enjoyable as we lead up to the finale. It was originally left blank for some theatrics in the premiere at David’s retirement concert so I know he would enjoy adding some Cholesterol as David would say.Long Live the King!

SKU: HL.50511759

ISBN 9790080144015. Bach (23 x 30,2 cm) inches. Hungarian, English, German, French. Lajos Papp.

Lajos Papp, the author of innumerable popular pedagogical works, this time offers the youngest string players technically really easy little orchestral pieces that can nevertheless be successful concert items for more advanced students. The cycle of eight short pieces can be performed not only as a whole but in any kind of selection or grouping. The title refers both to the medieval knights' tournaments, which always stimulate children's imagination, and also to children's games that imitate them and bring them back to life. The work is based not on a single coherent story but the knights' life in general, with its traditional accoutrements and characters. The titles of the pieces are: Knighting Ceremony in the Castle Chapel - The Lord of the Castle - The Black Knight - The Beautiful Damsel of the Castle, by the Well - Page's Dance - The Scarlet Steed - The Battle of the Noble Knights - Festive Procession.