Brass Machine

SKU: CL.032-4771-00

Vending Machine isn’t Broke is an excellent contemporary chart for big band by Craig Skeffington. Written in a modern straight 8th style, it features all sections of the band with improvisational space for alto sax. Fully notated rhythm section parts, moderate brass ranges, a catchy melody and unique harmonies make this a favorite for festival performance! Intriguing!

SKU: BT.DHP-1043670-030

Versailles, composed by Christian Bouthier, reflects a number of impressions of the royal castle in Versailles, near Paris. There are four movements consisting of Le Chateau, Le grand Trianon, L’Appartement du Roi and Les Grandes Eaux each of which depicts a different aspect of Versailles both inside and outside. Bring a touch of regalness to any concert band programme.

Versailles, gecomponeerd door Christian Bouthier, geeft een aantal indrukken weer van het koninklijke kasteel te Versailles, vlak bij Parijs. De vier afwisselende delen beschrijven achtereenvolgens Le ch teau (het kasteelzelf), Le grand Trianon (het extra complex dat Lodewijk XIV liet bouwen), L’Appartement du Roi (het appartement van de koning) en Les Grandes Eaux (de waterpartijen). De fraaie thema’s worden verklankt inboeiende, gemakkelijk te spelen muziek voor blaasorkest.

Versailles, aus der Feder von Christian Bouthier, spiegelt eine Reihe von Impressionen des königlichen Schlosses in Versailles bei Paris wider. Die vier abwechslungsreichen Sätze beschreiben das Schloss selbst, den Nebenpalast Le Grand Trianon, die Gemächer des Königs und das weitläufige System an Wasserläufen und Teichen, welches die ganze Anlage einst versorgte. Prächtige Motive, verpackt in interessante, leicht spielbare Musik für Brass Band.

Versailles de Christian Bouthier est une suite en quatre tableaux inspirés du célèbre Ch teau de Versailles près de Paris.1. Le Ch teau Dès 1623, Louis XIII, le père de Louis XIV (dit le Roi-Soleil), construit Versailles un premier ch teau majestueux. Plus tard, l’architecte Philibert Le Roy s’est vu confier la t che de l’agrandir. Et durant des siècles, divers autres architectes se consacrent l’agrandissement et l’embellissement de ce superbe palais pour en faire cet ensemble de façades et de b timents majestueux, célèbre dans le monde entier.2. Le grand Trianon Trianon est le nom d'un village acheté par Louis XIV dans le but de construire sur ces nouvelles terres unautre palais. Cherchant se défaire du protocole trop pesant de Versailles, le Roi est Trianon plus proche des siens. Trianon demeurera un lieu de détente, loin de l'étiquette et des fatigues du pouvoir. Les travaux du premier Trianon débutent en 1670. De nombreux b timents et péristyles seront rajoutés au fil des années.3. L'Appartement du Roi En 1683, Louis XIV quitte son Grand Appartement pour vivre dans son appartement intérieur qu'on appelle l'Appartement du Roi. Depuis 1701, la suite des pièces est la suivante : salle des Gardes, antichambre du Grand Couvert, antichambre de l'Œil-de-bœuf, chambre du Roi, cabinet du Conseil. L'apparat des plafonds peints qui caractérisait le décor du Grand Appartement, fait place un décor sobre où les plafonds sont laissés nus. Cet allégement correspond un nouveau go t du Roi-Soleil.4. Les Grandes EauxTrouver les ressources en eaux pour les fontaines de Versailles fut la préoccupation constante du Roi-Soleil. Même en pleine guerre, il s'en inquiétait. Ce sera l’extraordinaire Machine de Marly qui apportera les eaux de la Seine Versailles. L’arrivée des eaux au Ch teau aura nécessité la construction d’un réseau hydraulique de rigoles, de fossés et d'aqueducs s’étendant sur près de deux cent kilomètres. L'ensemble demeure unique notamment par son état de conservation.

SKU: PR.465000110

ISBN 9781598062090. UPC: 680160575442.

Castle Creek was written by Dan Welcher in celebration of the Aspen Music Festival's 40th anniversary, and served as a special tribute to the Festival's longtime President, Gordon Hardy. Castle Creek itself is a tributary of the Roaring Fork River on which the Aspen Music Festival campus (as well as Hardy's home) is built. Gordon's initials (G.A.H.) are used as the musical basis for the fanfare, which is centered on the ascending pitches G, A and B, and reflects the upward motion and positivity of the Aspen Music Festival itself. For advanced players. Duration: 5'.
Program Note by the ComposerThere is no “secret program” or hidden meaning in this lively, five-minute work: it was intended as a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Aspen Music Festival, and as a special tribute to the Festival’s longtime President, Gordon Hardy. The title CASTLE CREEK refers to a tributary of the Roaring Fork River on which the Aspen Music Festival campus (as well as Mr. Hardy’s home) is built.The work pays homage to Gordon Hardy by utilizing his initials (“G.A.H.”) as a musical motive: the three letters correspond to the pitches G, A, and B). This three-note group forms the basis of the fanfare that opens the work, and it also serves as an ostinato, a bass line, and a general means of organizing the work’s tonal centers. Because the three notes are in ascending order, the ever-upward direction of the Aspen Music Festival and the positive energy of Gordon Hardy are readily evident.The athletic fanfare that begins the work (marked “noble, but energetic”) is scored for brass and percussion alone, and may be played as a separate piece. The rest of the ensemble joins at the conclusion of the fanfare, and a spirited tune in 9/8 issues from the woodwinds. After this is given a thorough workout, a middle section in faster 3/4 time provides machine-like energy. Perhaps it is the energy of the Festival, in high gear. At the height of this, the music of the fanfare returns in broad open notes in the brass, with the machine still pulsing in support. The overture ends in a burst of motion, with the three-note motive in its highest transposition.My colleague and former student Paul Bissell made this excellent transcription from the orchestral original.

SKU: CF.SPS94F

ISBN 9781491161838. UPC: 680160920518.

On November 5th, 2017, a mass shooting took place at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Twenty-six innocent people lost their lives that day, including an unborn child. Overture to a Small Town is dedicated to these victims and the loved ones they left behind. From the biggest cities to the smallest towns, the senseless bloodshed must end. Despite the darkness of this tragedy, it is my intent through this music to portray a sense of hope, dignity, and innocence deserved by all America's cities and towns. The opening moments of this piece should be treated delicately, ensuring that the brass section moves together in one unified voice, and that the crotales evoke distant flickers of light. Similarly, in mm. 120-127, articulations in the flutes, trumpets and mallets should be strong enough to be heard, but without being aggressive. The textural layering in mm. 48-53 should be executed with machine-like precision of both rhythm and articulation. This passage should evoke the sound of many voices rising together. There should be a great contrast between the opening Piano dynamic and the final Forte dynamic. In mm. 65-69, both mallet percussionists may play the indicated notes in any octave they choose. Both players should move rapidly between notes in any order. This passage should sound fluid and ethereal. In mm. 69-73: If there is no English Horn available to the ensemble, the Trumpet should play this passage solo. If there is an English Horn, both instruments should play the passage together.
On November 5th, 2017, a mass shooting took place at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Twenty-six innocent people lost their lives that day, including an unborn child. Overture to a Small Town is dedicated to these victims and the loved ones they left behind. From the biggest cities to the smallest towns, the  senseless bloodshed must end. Despite the darkness of this tragedy, it is my intent through this music to portray a sense of hope, dignity, and innocence deserved by all America’s cities and towns.  The opening moments of this piece should be treated delicately, ensuring that the brass section moves together in one unified voice, and that the crotales evoke distant flickers of light. Similarly, in mm. 120-127, articulations in the flutes, trumpets and mallets should be strong enough to be heard, but without being aggressive.  The textural layering in mm. 48-53 should be executed with machine-like precision of both rhythm and articulation. This passage should evoke the sound of many voices rising together. There should be a great contrast between the opening Piano dynamic and the final Forte dynamic.  In mm. 65-69, both mallet percussionists may play the indicated notes in any octave they choose. Both players should move rapidly between notes in any order. This passage should sound fluid and ethereal.  In mm. 69-73: If there is no English Horn available to the ensemble, the Trumpet should play this passage solo. If there is an English Horn, both instruments should play the passage together.

SKU: GI.G-2830M

ISBN 9781579997441. English.

Reduce the dropout rate of beginning band students - improve the performance of beginning band students This test objectively assists students nine years of age and older in selecting an appropriate brass or woodwind instrument to learn to play. Studies show that students who play instruments that match their timbre preference perform better and have a 50 percent lower dropout rate than students who play instruments not matched to their timbre preference. (See manual and research monograph.) The Instrument Timbre Preference Test requires less than 30 minutes to administer. Students listen to a CD recording of different sounds and indicate on an answer sheet which ones they prefer. Kit includes 100 answer sheets, CD, scoring masks, class record sheets, and three research monographs. May be machine scored, and GIA Publications, Inc., scoring service is available. .

SKU: GI.G-2830CRS

English.

Reduce the dropout rate of beginning band students - improve the performance of beginning band students This test objectively assists students nine years of age and older in selecting an appropriate brass or woodwind instrument to learn to play. Studies show that students who play instruments that match their timbre preference perform better and have a 50 percent lower dropout rate than students who play instruments not matched to their timbre preference. (See manual and research monograph.) The Instrument Timbre Preference Test requires less than 30 minutes to administer. Students listen to a CD recording of different sounds and indicate on an answer sheet which ones they prefer. Kit includes 100 answer sheets, CD, scoring masks, class record sheets, and three research monographs. May be machine scored, and GIA Publications, Inc., scoring service is available.