Between the Thoughts

SKU: P2.50010

Between Walls is a group of songs on the poems of William Carlos Williams for soprano voice, soprano saxophone and piano. Within each movement, the music helps describe the text or set the mood of each of the movements. The first movement, Between Walls, is solemn, without joy or humor, quiet in nature and thoughtful. In the text, where nothing will grow, the last pitch on grow is much higher than the previous pitches, as if it were to grow. The soprano and the saxophone are unison on In which and then move apart a step and a third on shine the ending with a dissonant minor 2nd on the word broken, playing upon the text. Young Woman at a Window is for soprano and piano alone. This movement is also quite dissonant and the piano sustains that tonality by using pedal through out. The soprano sings in the lower tessitura while the piano moves slowly between major thirds and minor seconds to minor thirds and tritones to the end of the piece, suggesting the sadness of the women, with tears on her cheeks. The listener is left to wonder what she and the child are looking at. The Nightingales is a contrast to the first two movements. The tonality is more consonant, lyrical in the saxophone line and arpeggiated chords sustained with pedal throughout most of the piano line, promoting a poetic and expressive premise. In The Thing, the lines move more independently and do not come together as one until the text bitterly together, which is unison, to the last line moving apart to the M3rd. As the Cat is sprightly and jaunty, the piano and saxophone placing the beats in an unexpected manner, the soprano a bit disjunctive at times, just as how a cat might work it's way carefully over obstacles to find it's way to it's final destination.

SKU: CF.YAS182F

ISBN 9781491151846. UPC: 680160909346. 9 x 12 inches.

The title, Live On, by Larry Clark, is taken from Chrissie Pinney's poem about grief and loss. The piece is meant to depict the personality of Linda Mann, to whom it is dedicated. The opening is poignant and pensive, followed by a whimsical theme which alludes to happy thoughts of a life well-lived. The piece builds to a triumphant?conclusion based on an augmented version of the theme.

Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017. Linda Manns impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.

In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should depict Lindas personality - dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like. They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.

After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey. That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.

Live On

Now as I live on

Without you

I hope to keep

The pieces of you

That I loved so dearly

Your mannerisms

And compassionate character

And smiles through struggle

So that you

May live on too

-Chrissie Pinney

I reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes. She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.

The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.

After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time. The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme. This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.

It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.

Larry Clark

Lakeland, FL 2017

Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017.A Linda Mannas impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.

In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should adepict Lindaas personality - dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like.a They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.

After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey.A That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.

Live On

Now as I live on

Without you

I hope to keep

The pieces of you

That I loved so dearly

Your mannerisms

And compassionate character

And smiles through struggle

So that you

May live on too

A

-Chrissie Pinney

I reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes.A She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.

The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.

After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time.A The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme.A This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.

It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.

aLarry Clark

Lakeland, FL 2017

Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017.A Linda Mannas impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.

In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should adepict Lindaas personality - dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like.a They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.

After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey.A That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.

Live On

Now as I live on

Without you

I hope to keep

The pieces of you

That I loved so dearly

Your mannerisms

And compassionate character

And smiles through struggle

So that you

May live on too

A

-Chrissie Pinney

I reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes.A She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.

The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.

After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time.A The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme.A This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.

It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.

aLarry Clark

Lakeland, FL 2017

Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017. Linda Mann's impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.

In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should depict Linda's personality - dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like. They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.

After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey. That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.

Live On

Now as I live on

Without you

I hope to keep

The pieces of you

That I loved so dearly

Your mannerisms

And compassionate character

And smiles through struggle

So that you

May live on too

-Chrissie Pinney

I reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes. She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.

The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.

After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time. The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme. This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.

It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.

-Larry Clark

Lakeland, FL 2017

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

This 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: LO.15-3351H

ISBN 9780787732066.

Julie Gardner Bray's Between Two Hearts contains thoughtful, image-laden lyrics that reflect on the nature of relationships in our lives. Teachable moments for phrasing, breath control, and musical nuance pair with comfortable vocal ranges and sensible voice leading to create an excellent choice for the ballad slot in a contest program.

SKU: CF.YPS212F

ISBN 9781491152997. UPC: 680160910496.

Taking its title from a poem about grief and loss by Chrissie Pinney, Live On honors the life of band director Linda Mann, to whom the piece is dedicated. The piece begins with a pensive intro before shifting to a whimsical theme that brings about happy thoughts of a life well-lived. After a return to the poignant opening material, the music surges to a triumphant conclusion based on an augmented version of the whimsical theme.
Live On was commissioned by Diplomat Middle School's staff, faculty and students, in Cape Coral, Florida, and is dedicated to the memory of their Director of Bands, Linda Mann. Director of Orchestras, Roland Forti, championed the commissioning of this piece to honor the life of Linda after her untimely passing in February of 2017. Linda Mann’s impact on the field of music education was profound and wide-reaching. She was a beloved member of the staff at Diplomat Middle School, as well as the music community of Cape Coral and the state of Florida. Linda was highly respected throughout the state, serving as recent past-president of the Florida Bandmasters Association.In discussing the type of piece the school wanted to honor Ms. Mann, they indicated the piece should “depict Linda’s personality: dynamic, sassy, yet thoughtful and almost mentor-like.” They wanted a piece that was upbeat, yet still had moments that were thoughtful, portraying the grief that the Diplomat Middle School community has suffered from the sudden loss of such a beloved teacher.After contemplating their thoughts, I did some research to find inspiration for the piece. This led me to poetry about grief and loss. In time, I stumbled upon a short, yet poignant poem that I felt perfectly depicted the sentiment that I wanted the piece to convey.  That poem is entitled Live On by Chrissie Pinney.Live OnNow as I live onWithout youI hope to keepThe pieces of youThat I loved so dearlyYour mannerismsAnd compassionate characterAnd smiles through struggleSo that youMay live on too -Chrissie PinneyI reached out to Ms. Pinney, and she graciously agreed to allow me to quote her powerful poem in these notes. She expressed that she was deeply touched that her work would inspire me to write a piece in honor of Linda Mann.The piece begins with a poignant, pensive opening section. The use of the musical interval of a tritone between the first two openly voiced chords are used to represent the sadness we all feel from this type of loss. When I sat in front of my piano and started to work on this piece, my hands seemed to naturally and immediately play these first two chords, which set the process in motion of composing the piece.After the somber opening, the piece shifts to a whimsical theme that I hope brings about happy thoughts of Linda and her personality. It was also my intent, however, to include some musical dissonance in the theme that still reflected the bittersweet loss at the same time. The piece develops into a secondary theme that is a quasi inversion of the main fast theme. This section is followed by a return of the opening material, with snippets of the fast theme intertwined, before the piece builds to a triumphant, augmented presentation of the main theme in a lush form to complete the work.It is my hope that in some small way, this piece will bring comfort to those affected by the loss of Linda Mann, and that the music will allow her memory to Live On.–Larry ClarkLakeland, FL 2017.

SKU: IS.WE6435EM

ISBN 9790365064359.

Sir Dirk Brossé, music director at the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, is a versatile composer of orchestral and symphonic repertoire, chamber music, film & musical. His compositions are performed worldwide by the most prominent orchestras and soloists. About the new series of 10 Musical Postcards for wind band, Dirk says the following: Composing is a commitment; it is my life’s mission. For me composing means creating a vacuum around myself and allowing myself to be submerged by impressions. It is a continual struggle between fantasy and reality, between dream and reality. Out of chaos of sounds and emotions I try to order my thoughts by juggling shreds of melodies, original chords, striking sound colours and alternating rhythms. Melody, harmony, rhythm and sound colours are finally balanced to generate a harmonious universe. This series of ten ‘Musical Postcards’ are a reflection of my travels, thoughts, discoveries and musical career so far, which has brought me around the globe. I look forward to you joining me on this voyage of discovery….

SKU: IS.WE6439EM

ISBN 9790365064397.

Sir Dirk Brossé, music director at the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, is a versatile composer of orchestral and symphonic repertoire, chamber music, film & musical. His compositions are performed worldwide by the most prominent orchestras and soloists. About the new series of 10 Musical Postcards for wind band, Dirk says the following: Composing is a commitment; it is my life’s mission. For me composing means creating a vacuum around myself and allowing myself to be submerged by impressions. It is a continual struggle between fantasy and reality, between dream and reality. Out of chaos of sounds and emotions I try to order my thoughts by juggling shreds of melodies, original chords, striking sound colours and alternating rhythms. Melody, harmony, rhythm and sound colours are finally balanced to generate a harmonious universe. This series of ten ‘Musical Postcards’ are a reflection of my travels, thoughts, discoveries and musical career so far, which has brought me around the globe. I look forward to you joining me on this voyage of discovery….

SKU: IS.WE6438EM

ISBN 9790365064380.

Sir Dirk Brossé, music director at the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, is a versatile composer of orchestral and symphonic repertoire, chamber music, film & musical. His compositions are performed worldwide by the most prominent orchestras and soloists. About the new series of 10 Musical Postcards for wind band, Dirk says the following: Composing is a commitment; it is my life’s mission. For me composing means creating a vacuum around myself and allowing myself to be submerged by impressions. It is a continual struggle between fantasy and reality, between dream and reality. Out of chaos of sounds and emotions I try to order my thoughts by juggling shreds of melodies, original chords, striking sound colours and alternating rhythms. Melody, harmony, rhythm and sound colours are finally balanced to generate a harmonious universe. This series of ten ‘Musical Postcards’ are a reflection of my travels, thoughts, discoveries and musical career so far, which has brought me around the globe. I look forward to you joining me on this voyage of discovery….

SKU: IS.WE6436EM

ISBN 9790365064366.

Sir Dirk Brossé, music director at the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, is a versatile composer of orchestral and symphonic repertoire, chamber music, film & musical. His compositions are performed worldwide by the most prominent orchestras and soloists. About the new series of 10 Musical Postcards for wind band, Dirk says the following: Composing is a commitment; it is my life’s mission. For me composing means creating a vacuum around myself and allowing myself to be submerged by impressions. It is a continual struggle between fantasy and reality, between dream and reality. Out of chaos of sounds and emotions I try to order my thoughts by juggling shreds of melodies, original chords, striking sound colours and alternating rhythms. Melody, harmony, rhythm and sound colours are finally balanced to generate a harmonious universe. This series of ten ‘Musical Postcards’ are a reflection of my travels, thoughts, discoveries and musical career so far, which has brought me around the globe. I look forward to you joining me on this voyage of discovery….

SKU: IS.WE6440EM

ISBN 9790365064403.

Sir Dirk Brossé, music director at the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, is a versatile composer of orchestral and symphonic repertoire, chamber music, film & musical. His compositions are performed worldwide by the most prominent orchestras and soloists. About the new series of 10 Musical Postcards for wind band, Dirk says the following: Composing is a commitment; it is my life’s mission. For me composing means creating a vacuum around myself and allowing myself to be submerged by impressions. It is a continual struggle between fantasy and reality, between dream and reality. Out of chaos of sounds and emotions I try to order my thoughts by juggling shreds of melodies, original chords, striking sound colours and alternating rhythms. Melody, harmony, rhythm and sound colours are finally balanced to generate a harmonious universe. This series of ten ‘Musical Postcards’ are a reflection of my travels, thoughts, discoveries and musical career so far, which has brought me around the globe. I look forward to you joining me on this voyage of discovery….

SKU: PR.31241902S

UPC: 680160690589. English.

Commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Society and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, Terra Nostra is a 70-minute oratorio on the relationship between our planet and humankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. Part I: Creation of the World explores various creation myths from different cultures, culminating in a joyous celebration of the beauty of our planet. Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines human achievements, particularly since the dawn of our Industrial Age, and how these achievements have impacted the planet. Part III: Searching for Balance questions how to create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. In addition to the complete oratorio, stand-alone movements for mixed chorus, and for solo voice with piano, are also available separately.
Terra Nostra focuses on the relationship between our planet and mankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. The oratorio is divided into three parts:Part I: Creation of the World celebrates the birth and beauty of our planet. The oratorio begins with creation myths from India, North America, and Egypt that are integrated into the opening lines of Genesis from the Old Testament. The music surges forth from these creation stories into “God’s World” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, which describes the world in exuberant and vivid detail. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “On thine own child” praises Mother Earth for her role bringing forth all life, while Walt Whitman sings a love song to the planet in “Smile O voluptuous cool-breathed earth!” Part I ends with “A Blade of Grass” in which Whitman muses how our planet has been spinning in the heavens for a very long time.Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines the achievements of mankind, particularly since the dawn of the Industrial Age. Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” sets an auspicious tone that mankind is on the verge of great discoveries. This is followed in short order by Charles Mackay’s “Railways 1846,” William Ernest Henley’s “A Song of Speed,” and John Gillespie Magee, Jr.’s “High Flight,” each of which celebrates a new milestone in technological achievement. In “Binsey Poplars,” Gerard Manley Hopkins takes note of the effect that these advances are having on the planet, with trees being brought down and landscapes forever changed. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “A Dirge” concludes Part II with a warning that the planet is beginning to sound a grave alarm.Part III: Searching for Balance questions how we can create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. Three texts continue the earth’s plea that ended the previous section: Lord Byron’s “Darkness” speaks of a natural disaster (a volcano) that has blotted out the sun from humanity and the panic that ensues; contemporary poet Esther Iverem’s “Earth Screaming” gives voice to the modern issues of our changing climate; and William Wordsworth’s “The World Is Too Much With Us” warns us that we are almost out of time to change our course. Contemporary/agrarian poet Wendell Berry’s “The Want of Peace” speaks to us at the climax of the oratorio, reminding us that we can find harmony with the planet if we choose to live more simply, and to recall that we ourselves came from the earth. Two Walt Whitman texts (“A Child said, What is the grass?” and “There was a child went forth every day”) echo Berry’s thoughts, reminding us that we are of the earth, as is everything that we see on our planet. The oratorio concludes with a reprise of Whitman’s “A Blade of Grass” from Part I, this time interspersed with an additional Whitman text that sublimely states, “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love…”My hope in writing this oratorio is to invite audience members to consider how we interact with our planet, and what we can each personally do to keep the planet going for future generations. We are the only stewards Earth has; what can we each do to leave her in better shape than we found her?

SKU: PR.312419020

ISBN 9781491131862. UPC: 680160680474. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. English.

Commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Society and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, Terra Nostra is a 70-minute oratorio on the relationship between our planet and humankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. Part I: Creation of the World explores various creation myths from different cultures, culminating in a joyous celebration of the beauty of our planet. Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines human achievements, particularly since the dawn of our Industrial Age, and how these achievements have impacted the planet. Part III: Searching for Balance questions how to create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. In addition to the complete oratorio, stand-alone movements for mixed chorus, and for solo voice with piano, are also available separately.
Terra Nostra focuses on the relationship between our planet and mankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. The oratorio is divided into three parts:Part I: Creation of the World celebrates the birth and beauty of our planet. The oratorio begins with creation myths from India, North America, and Egypt that are integrated into the opening lines of Genesis from the Old Testament. The music surges forth from these creation stories into “God’s World” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, which describes the world in exuberant and vivid detail. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “On thine own child” praises Mother Earth for her role bringing forth all life, while Walt Whitman sings a love song to the planet in “Smile O voluptuous cool-breathed earth!” Part I ends with “A Blade of Grass” in which Whitman muses how our planet has been spinning in the heavens for a very long time.Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines the achievements of mankind, particularly since the dawn of the Industrial Age. Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” sets an auspicious tone that mankind is on the verge of great discoveries. This is followed in short order by Charles Mackay’s “Railways 1846,” William Ernest Henley’s “A Song of Speed,” and John Gillespie Magee, Jr.’s “High Flight,” each of which celebrates a new milestone in technological achievement. In “Binsey Poplars,” Gerard Manley Hopkins takes note of the effect that these advances are having on the planet, with trees being brought down and landscapes forever changed. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “A Dirge” concludes Part II with a warning that the planet is beginning to sound a grave alarm.Part III: Searching for Balance questions how we can create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. Three texts continue the earth’s plea that ended the previous section: Lord Byron’s “Darkness” speaks of a natural disaster (a volcano) that has blotted out the sun from humanity and the panic that ensues; contemporary poet Esther Iverem’s “Earth Screaming” gives voice to the modern issues of our changing climate; and William Wordsworth’s “The World Is Too Much With Us” warns us that we are almost out of time to change our course. Contemporary/agrarian poet Wendell Berry’s “The Want of Peace” speaks to us at the climax of the oratorio, reminding us that we can find harmony with the planet if we choose to live more simply, and to recall that we ourselves came from the earth. Two Walt Whitman texts (“A Child said, What is the grass?” and “There was a child went forth every day”) echo Berry’s thoughts, reminding us that we are of the earth, as is everything that we see on our planet. The oratorio concludes with a reprise of Whitman’s “A Blade of Grass” from Part I, this time interspersed with an additional Whitman text that sublimely states, “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love…”My hope in writing this oratorio is to invite audience members to consider how we interact with our planet, and what we can each personally do to keep the planet going for future generations. We are the only stewards Earth has; what can we each do to leave her in better shape than we found her?

SKU: PR.31241902A

UPC: 680160690510. English.

Commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Society and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, Terra Nostra is a 70-minute oratorio on the relationship between our planet and humankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. Part I: Creation of the World explores various creation myths from different cultures, culminating in a joyous celebration of the beauty of our planet. Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines human achievements, particularly since the dawn of our Industrial Age, and how these achievements have impacted the planet. Part III: Searching for Balance questions how to create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. In addition to the complete oratorio, stand-alone movements for mixed chorus, and for solo voice with piano, are also available separately.
Terra Nostra focuses on the relationship between our planet and mankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. The oratorio is divided into three parts:Part I: Creation of the World celebrates the birth and beauty of our planet. The oratorio begins with creation myths from India, North America, and Egypt that are integrated into the opening lines of Genesis from the Old Testament. The music surges forth from these creation stories into “God’s World” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, which describes the world in exuberant and vivid detail. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “On thine own child” praises Mother Earth for her role bringing forth all life, while Walt Whitman sings a love song to the planet in “Smile O voluptuous cool-breathed earth!” Part I ends with “A Blade of Grass” in which Whitman muses how our planet has been spinning in the heavens for a very long time.Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines the achievements of mankind, particularly since the dawn of the Industrial Age. Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” sets an auspicious tone that mankind is on the verge of great discoveries. This is followed in short order by Charles Mackay’s “Railways 1846,” William Ernest Henley’s “A Song of Speed,” and John Gillespie Magee, Jr.’s “High Flight,” each of which celebrates a new milestone in technological achievement. In “Binsey Poplars,” Gerard Manley Hopkins takes note of the effect that these advances are having on the planet, with trees being brought down and landscapes forever changed. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “A Dirge” concludes Part II with a warning that the planet is beginning to sound a grave alarm.Part III: Searching for Balance questions how we can create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. Three texts continue the earth’s plea that ended the previous section: Lord Byron’s “Darkness” speaks of a natural disaster (a volcano) that has blotted out the sun from humanity and the panic that ensues; contemporary poet Esther Iverem’s “Earth Screaming” gives voice to the modern issues of our changing climate; and William Wordsworth’s “The World Is Too Much With Us” warns us that we are almost out of time to change our course. Contemporary/agrarian poet Wendell Berry’s “The Want of Peace” speaks to us at the climax of the oratorio, reminding us that we can find harmony with the planet if we choose to live more simply, and to recall that we ourselves came from the earth. Two Walt Whitman texts (“A Child said, What is the grass?” and “There was a child went forth every day”) echo Berry’s thoughts, reminding us that we are of the earth, as is everything that we see on our planet. The oratorio concludes with a reprise of Whitman’s “A Blade of Grass” from Part I, this time interspersed with an additional Whitman text that sublimely states, “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love…”My hope in writing this oratorio is to invite audience members to consider how we interact with our planet, and what we can each personally do to keep the planet going for future generations. We are the only stewards Earth has; what can we each do to leave her in better shape than we found her?

SKU: CF.CPS255

ISBN 9781491159835. UPC: 680160918423.

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: HP.2200

UPC: 763628122003.

Traditional American melody I will arise and go to Jesus is a portion of the text that accompanies the traditional American melody Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy on which this arrangement is based. I will arise and go to Jesus is a portion of the text that accompanies the traditional American melody Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy on which this arrangement is based. A dancing, two-measure motif sets up the entrance of the melody in measure 5. The mood shifts to open, airy texture that swaps the melody between the upper and lower registers. These two thoughts are carried through a few key changes before ending on a strong chord. Set in d minor, f minor, and g minor, this piece is 65 measures.