American Visions

SKU: CF.CPS255F

ISBN 9781491159842. UPC: 680160918430.

American Visions is a fast-paced and energetic composition featuring rousing brass fanfares, lively woodwind motives, and driving percussion. It was initially inspired to embody the sense of American vigor and patriotism. Musically, the main motive at mm. 4-12 runs throughout the piece and vacillates between duple and triplet rhythms. Players should be mindful to differentiate between the two rhythms, so there is clarity. Measure 39 represents a contrasting section, and should be thought of as dark and warm sounding as possible. I intended that the section would resemble the overall timbre of orchestral strings, and players could think of that when performing the piece. Measure 55 presents a triplet rhythmic motive that must be precise in timing and dynamics. At m. 66, be sure that the main melodic motive and the tenor saxophone, low brass, and chimes countermelody can be heard through the ensemble's texture. Measure 73 uses bell tone articulations that build to standard articulations at m. 76. Thank you for playing my composition.
American Visions is a fast-paced and energetic composition featuring rousing brass fanfares, lively woodwind motives, and driving percussion. It was initially inspired to embody the sense of American vigor and patriotism. Musically, the main motive at mm. 4–12 runs throughout the piece and vacillates between duple and triplet rhythms. Players should be mindful to differentiate between the two rhythms, so there is clarity. Measure 39 represents a contrasting section, and should be thought of as dark and warm sounding as possible. I intended that the section would resemble the overall timbre of orchestral strings, and players could think of that when performing the piece. Measure 55 presents a triplet rhythmic motive that must be precise in timing and dynamics. At m. 66, be sure that the main melodic motive and the tenor saxophone, low brass, and chimes countermelody can be heard through the ensemble’s texture. Measure 73 uses bell tone articulations that build to standard articulations at m. 76. Thank you for playing my composition. .

SKU: BT.PMC3865

The Two Songs on American Poems were composed in late May and early June of 2011 by candlelight at my rustic waterfront cabin on a remote island off the northwest coast of Washington State. It was in this locale that I havecompleted a number of works over the years, including the Lux Aeterna, O Magnum Mysterium, Nocturnes, Canticle/O Vos Omnes and others. Prayer was written in memory of Michael Jasper Gioia, Dana and Mary Gioia's infant son, whosebrief life was tragically ended by SIDS.Mr. Gioia served as Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003-2010 and has authored several books of poems, numerous anthologies, articles, essays and two opera libretti. Amonghis many awards are the American Book Award and Presidential Citizens Medal. He currently holds the Judge Widney Chair of Poetry and Public Policy at the University of Southern California. Sure on this Shining Night was originallycomposed as a choral piece, the third movement of my Nocturnes on poems by Rilke, Neruda and Agee. Rod Gilfry, an international star of opera, recital and musical theater, premiered the mixed duet version with his daughter, Carin,in 2009. He is Professor of Vocal Studies at the USC Thornton School of Music. Both he and Mr. Gioia are national treasures. The Two Songs are designed as a pair but may be sung independently - when paired, Sure On This ShiningNight should begin immediatelyfollowing the final, sustained chord of Prayer with no break in between the songs. Both of these songs, premiered by Mr. Gilfry accompanied by the composer at a USC Visions & Voices tribute to DanaGioia on September 27, 2011, have their roots in the American musical theater and should be sung as such.

SKU: CL.012-3688-01

Visions of Australia' is a musical panorama paying tribute to the epochs in Australia's history from its Aboriginal predecessors through to its 'yet to be determined' future. The journey begins with a tribute to Australia's aboriginal past, the arrival of the British Navy and the establishment of the first colony on the shores of Sydney Harbour. The journey then meanders through to the development of electricity and communication, through the wars and to the present. Following a brief reflection on the past, the music concludes with a stirring and patriotic march-like section representing a confident and bold future. The work is a great challenge for all sections of the band and will be easily accessible to any audience. Download the didgerido sound file for use in your performance: http://www.barnhouse.com/samples/mp3/012-3688-99.mp3.

About Gems of the Concert Band

A series of transcriptions and other works in varying styles, representative of the programming of the Great American Classic Concert Band era of a century ago, as exemplified by John Phillip Sousa, Edwin Franko Goldman, Karl L. King, and Leonard B. Smith

SKU: HL.360490

ISBN 9781705124673. UPC: 840126949018. 6.0x9.0x0.47 inches.

Tesfa Wondemagegnehu writes, “The compendium you hold in your hands represents the glimmering of the North Star. All thought-leaders and outstanding practitioners of our time, these authors have provided myriad ways to navigate through the messy, deafening, and sometimes terrifying chaos around us.” Choral Reflections offers inspiration, ideas, and insights for conductor-teachers at any stage. The goal for Choral Reflections is to provide a platform for a new and more representative cross-section of American choral conductor-teachers to share their reflections, beliefs, values, and visions for the choral art. The thirty contributors are: Hilary Apfelstadt, Anton Armstrong, Geoffrey Boers, Edith A. Copley, Rollo A. Dilworth, Jason Max Ferdinand, Lynne Gackle, Janet Galvan, Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Craig Hella Johnson, Ann Howard Jones, Henry H. Leck, Iris S. Levine, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Kevin McBeth, Marcela Molina, Gary Packwood, Rosephanye Powell, Amanda Quist, Doreen Rao, Jeffery B. Redding, Eugene Rogers, Diana V. Saez, Pearl Shangkuan, Tom Shelton, Sandra Snow, Andre J. Thomas, Betsy Cook Weber, Brad Wells, and Jace Kaholokula Saplan.

SKU: CF.CAS80

ISBN 9780825894817. UPC: 798408094812. 9 x 12 inches. Key: D major.

Composer Deborah Baker Monday provides us with an exciting new composition that contains all of the grandeur of the American West. With wide open spaces, reminiscent of pieces from the Americana composers of the last century, this will be a perfect choice to highlight your group at contest and festival performances.
Canyonland Skies is a programmatic work which was composed for the 2013 Utah/American String Teachers Association (ASTA) composition competition. The required element for the contest was that the entry should have a theme based on something native to the state of Utah.This original work attempts to represent the brilliance of the Utah sky; the clearest blue by day, with its blinding bright sun and the deepest dark blue of night, with a palette of stars which are breathtaking. The sunrise and sunset scenarios are uniquely remarkable from wherever one may be observing. At any one moment or another, these magnificent visions of color are always fresh and different.Canyonland Skies uses the bright key of D major to maximize the sonority of the string instruments. Excellent opportunities for drone-like intonation practices abound. Scalewise passages build and build for the strong harmonic changes which drive the piece to a contrasting section.G major dominates the jaunty middle section, which suggests a smooth ride on an open road. Melodic opportunities abound while the piece soars to a satisfying reflection of the opening material.Canyonland Skies is the winning Composition of the 2013 Composition Contest sponsored by the Utah Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.Sit back and begin a road trip with your students. With your navigation they will create a soundtrack for this beautiful journey.

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

This series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians

SKU: CF.SPS72

ISBN 9781491147672. UPC: 680160905171. 9 x 12 inches. Key: Eb major.

Branding Iron evokes the sights and sounds of the life of the iconic American cowboy. Audiences will find themselves rustling up cattle and will hear the hiss of the branding iron. Iconogrophy from thee great American West abounds in this fun programmatic work by James Meredith.
Good music played well inspires the imagination . This rollicking grade 4 work is a joyous romp with cowboys on the range, roping and branding, and breaking the wild broncs . A slower middle section envisions the vast evening sky of the open prairie with twinkling stars, a harmonica by the flickering flame of a campfire, and even the presence of a rattlesnake nearby . It is definitely not a novelty piece but as always, educational and musically challenging .