Bright Moonlight

SKU: CF.YAS1

ISBN 9780825840630. UPC: 798408040635. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: G major.

Moonlight Shadows is a passionate and colorful piece for strings that explores the expressive power of the string orchestra. Sean O'Loughlin uses a lush harmonic palette and variety of texture (including a short pizzicato section), to create an important and soulful addition to the repertoire for younger string ensembles. Duration: 2'30.
Moonlight Shadows is a work for string orchestra that reflects my great love for the music of Samuel Barber. His compositions from the 1930s and 1940s were characterized by plush harmonies, flowing melodies and engaging suspensions. These elements are what I focused on in the composition of Moonlight Shadows.The material represents my mood and feelings when I look at a big, bright moon. The shadows it casts create an eerie feeling, while at the same time providing a deep, rich tapestry for the earth at night.The harmony features many major seventh-chords with half-step suspensions. These suspensions function as common tones to the next chord and create the tension of the piece. They also move, in order to provide resolution to the piece which allows the listener to rest. With this in mind, these suspensions should be brought out during performance.Moonlight Shadows is an emotional piece that allows the young musician the opportunity to play with much expression.

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

Thi s series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels

SKU: CF.CPS257

ISBN 9781491161265. UPC: 680160919857.

The original intent for this piece was to evoke a fantasy atmosphere of huge mythical constructs, such as stone edifices, rising from a lunar surface softly illuminated by reflected light from another galactic source. It is meant to give an impression of a single vision, allowing the listener or player to imagine a personal interpretation of their own. The story behind this particular title comes from the late 19th century. Before the widespread use of electric streetlights, many large American and European cities erected large structures - some as tall as 165 feet - intended to brighten the cities at night at times when there was insufficient natural moonlight. Referred to at that time as Moonlight Towers, the only ones still in existence and in use today are found in Austin, Texas. These man-made wonders may not be as stunning as naturally-formed stone edifices, but they are nevertheless eye-catching. One of these structures in a large park is adorned with strands of lights every December to resemble a gigantic Christmas tree which can be seen for miles. In this composition, measure 81 through measure 97 depicts four of the remaining thirteen towers in four different settings in Austin. This piece is also intended to capture the wonder of these singular relics of history, with a fantasy atmosphere of their own.
The original intent for this piece was to evoke a fantasy atmosphere of huge mythical constructs, such as stone edifices, rising from a lunar surface softly illuminated by reflected light from another galactic source. It is meant to give an impression of a single vision, allowing the listener or player to imagine a personal interpretation of their own.  The story behind this particular title comes from the late 19th century. Before the widespread use of electric streetlights, many large American and European cities erected large structures - some as tall as 165 feet - intended to brighten the cities at night at times when there was insufficient natural moonlight. Referred to at that time as Moonlight Towers, the only ones still in existence and in use today are found in Austin, Texas. These man-made wonders may not be as stunning as naturally-formed stone edifices, but they are nevertheless eye-catching. One of these structures in a large park is adorned with strands of lights every December to resemble a gigantic Christmas tree which can be seen for miles. In this composition, measure 81 through measure 97 depicts four of the remaining thirteen towers in four different settings in Austin. This piece is also intended to capture the wonder of these singular relics of history, with a fantasy atmosphere of their own.

SKU: CF.CPS257F

ISBN 9781491161678. UPC: 680160920358.

The original intent for this piece was to evoke a fantasy atmosphere of huge mythical constructs, such as stone edifices, rising from a lunar surface softly illuminated by reflected light from another galactic source. It is meant to give an impression of a single vision, allowing the listener or player to imagine a personal interpretation of their own. The story behind this particular title comes from the late 19th century. Before the widespread use of electric streetlights, many large American and European cities erected large structures - some as tall as 165 feet - intended to brighten the cities at night at times when there was insufficient natural moonlight. Referred to at that time as Moonlight Towers, the only ones still in existence and in use today are found in Austin, Texas. These man-made wonders may not be as stunning as naturally-formed stone edifices, but they are nevertheless eye-catching. One of these structures in a large park is adorned with strands of lights every December to resemble a gigantic Christmas tree which can be seen for miles. In this composition, measure 81 through measure 97 depicts four of the remaining thirteen towers in four different settings in Austin. This piece is also intended to capture the wonder of these singular relics of history, with a fantasy atmosphere of their own.
The original intent for this piece was to evoke a fantasy atmosphere of huge mythical constructs, such as stone edifices, rising from a lunar surface softly illuminated by reflected light from another galactic source. It is meant to give an impression of a single vision, allowing the listener or player to imagine a personal interpretation of their own.  The story behind this particular title comes from the late 19th century. Before the widespread use of electric streetlights, many large American and European cities erected large structures - some as tall as 165 feet - intended to brighten the cities at night at times when there was insufficient natural moonlight. Referred to at that time as Moonlight Towers, the only ones still in existence and in use today are found in Austin, Texas. These man-made wonders may not be as stunning as naturally-formed stone edifices, but they are nevertheless eye-catching. One of these structures in a large park is adorned with strands of lights every December to resemble a gigantic Christmas tree which can be seen for miles. In this composition, measure 81 through measure 97 depicts four of the remaining thirteen towers in four different settings in Austin. This piece is also intended to capture the wonder of these singular relics of history, with a fantasy atmosphere of their own.

SKU: CF.CM9766

ISBN 9781491162545. UPC: 680160921294. Key: C major. English. Original.

A Wee Deoch an Doris is a Scottish drinking song made famous by Sir Harry Lauder. When Scotts would head home from work, they would stop at the bar to have a drink.  “A wee deoch an doris” translates to “a small drink at the door,” meaning, it would be such a quick drink that they wouldn’t even go into the bar, rather just a drink at the door.“It’s a braw, bricht, moonlicht night” is a tongue twister. The idea being, if you can still say this phrase to the bartender, you are good to have another drink. If you can’t, it’s time to go home to your wife.Translationsland and clime = land and climateforgather = are gatheredaye = alwaysgood nicht = good nighta wee deoch an doris = a last drink at the door, the last drink before we parta wee drap that’s a’ = a small drop that’s allgang awa’ = go awaybut and ben = a two-roomed cottageye ah = you allbraw bricht moonlicht nicht = it’s a lovely bright moonlit nighta’richt ye ken = alright you know (you are alright to have another drink)skirlin = squealing or wailingNote to director: Feel free to experiment singing in other closely related keys (Bb, B, C#, D) to suit the needs of your ensemble.