Celebration for Winds and Percussion

SKU: KJ.WB491F

ISBN 9788402704856. UPC: 8402704859.

This fanfare celebrates the students themselves, and their acheivement of completing their first year of musical studies. After a breif introduction by the entire percussion ensemble, the winds enter with a stately theme with martial accompaniment. A contrasting section features the woodwinds playing a tender melody before the percussion brings back the intial theme and ending the piece triumphantly.

About Tradition of Excellence: Excellence in Performance

Excellence in performance is a concert band repertoire series correlated with the Tradition of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method by Bruce Pearson and Ryan Nowlin. The compositions in the series correlate to a specific page in Tradition of Excellence Books 1, 2, or 3 and reinforce and expand on skills and concepts introduced in the method.

/Selections include exciting parts for every player, grade-appropriate cross-cueing, accessible ranges and rhythms, creative percussion writing, electric bass and rehearsal piano parts, and full conductor scores with rehearsal suggestions, program notes and composer biographies. In addition, the Grade 1 works provide an Advanced Snare Drum part for percussionists who have achieved a higher level of ability, playable simultaneously with the more basic Snare Drum part to facilitate differentiated learning.

SKU: CF.CPS216

ISBN 9781491152423. UPC: 680160909926.

Cosmic Expedition takes performers on a musical journey far across the galaxy via three main sections.  This fanfare composition would be perfect for opening a concert. It has bold brass fanfare figures over textural woodwinds to start and then takes the listener on a sonic journey through a variation of harmonic colors, tambural and textural shifts.
Cosmic Expedition takes performers on a musical journey far across the galaxy via three main sections. The first, a rather celebratory and triumphant fanfare in Bb major begins with the upper woodwinds and percussion creating a sound-screen, that is a busy texture consisting of a flurry of repeated notes over which the horns and alto saxophones present the opening theme. The sound-screen should be carefully balanced and give way to the melody at m. 5, which should be played extremely marcato. The timpani solo beginning in m. 11 must not be understated. A brief percussion interlude separates a restatement of the opening theme, this time with the addition of the trumpet, tenor saxophone, and euphonium, and a counter melody by the low winds. The percussion interlude is playful, light, but full of vigor and energy. An Ab in the low winds pulls the harmony towards G minor in m. 40 to start the second section, a more serious fanfare. Here, the marimba repeats an ostinato that is complemented by the bass drum and woodblock. The upper woodwinds with the xylophone and snare drum dance over the stern secondary fanfare. A longing call lead by the trombones, interrupted by a subtle snare drum beckons to the clarinets and horn who begin the third section of the piece at m. 68. This haunting melody in C minor is legato, and starkly contrasts all which came before it. A relentless concert tom-tom played with hard mallets keeps the momentum persistent, and a heartbeat-like pulse is felt from the tuba and baritone saxophone. The melody rises towards m. 84 when the brass harken back to the fanfare style before fading back into another lush woodwind strain.A recapitulation of the low winds’ call is heard at m. 100 which in this occasion intensifies into an emphatic statement by the battery percussion instruments. Now in Eb major, the opening fanfare theme is heard again once more before fading into the beginning of the piece’s conclusion.To end, the counter melody from the opening section duels with chromatic tension above before swelling to an arrival in the original key of Bb major. The full ensemble celebrates the piece’s resolution, and after a few crunchy power chords the journey is completed.

SKU: CF.BPS128

ISBN 9781491156223. UPC: 680160914760. 9 x 12 inches.

Program Notes Start Your Engines is an exciting concert selection for young band that features the percussion section (with opportunities for doubling parts if needed). The band revs up right from the beginning as the opposing eighth notes in the drums evoke a race car engine at the starting line. As the piece continues, the winds have opportunities to shine in comfortable ranges with reasonable technical demands. The use of the phrase Gentlemen, Start Your Engines became a tradition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the early 1950s. The Greatest Race Course in the world has celebrated over 100 years of competition in motorsports. Note to the Conductor Measures 37-40 require staggered and independent entrances. This is especially the case for the flute, clarinet and trumpet sections. Students should be challenged to enter confidently while performing at a softer dynamic so as to allow for an effective crescendo leading into m. 45. For some younger students, the use of repeat signs and phrases like 2nd time only may not be familiar. This piece presents an excellent opportunity to become familiar with this common device.
Program NotesStart Your Engines is an exciting concert selection for young band that features the percussion section (with opportunities for doubling parts if needed). The band “revs up” right from the beginning as the opposing eighth notes in the drums evoke a race car engine at the starting line. As the piece continues, the winds have opportunities to shine in comfortable ranges with reasonable technical demands. The use of the phrase “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines” became a tradition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the early 1950s. The “Greatest Race Course in the world” has celebrated over 100 years of competition in motorsports.Note to the Conductor Measures 37–40 require staggered and independent entrances. This is especially the case for the flute, clarinet and trumpet sections. Students should be challenged to enter confidently while performing at a softer dynamic so as to allow for an effective crescendo leading into m. 45.For some younger students, the use of repeat signs and phrases like “2nd time only” may not be familiar. This piece presents an excellent opportunity to become familiar with this common device.

SKU: CF.CPS200

ISBN 9781491152355. UPC: 680160909858.

Although some stories in Greek mythology reveal a different side to his character, Apollo was widely regarded to hold a cheerful personality and communicating joy through the music he played on his lyre. Apollo Arise is an energetic and spirited work for band ideal for opening a concert. The uplifting and exuberant melodic material lead the group on a sonic journey to capture the joy and light music can bring to both the audience and the performer.
Program NotesAmong the many stories in Greek mythology, Apollo holds a unique place as a complex Olympian god known for truth, prophecy, healing, poetry, plague, knowledge, light and music. Although some stories reveal a different side to his character, Apollo was widely regarded to hold a cheerful personality and communicated joy through the music he played on his lyre. Apollo Arise is an energetic and spirited work for band, ideal for opening a concert. The uplifting and exuberant melodic material lead the group on a sonic journey to capture the joy and light music can bring to both the audience and performer. From the dynamic opening fanfare to the soaring motifs and rhythms that follow, Apollo Arise provides a wonderful opportunity for the ensemble to reach for new musical heights in their performance!    Rehearsal Notes and SuggestionsThe opening twenty-four measures of the work are important for the rest of the work to unfold successfully. Encourage the ensemble to play with a unified articulation style, maintain a proper balance, and establish a consistent tempo through this section as several recurring rhythms must be performed consistently. Measure 38 features a trumpet solo, so be sure that the rest of the ensemble balances their line to support the solo instrument. In the section that begins at m. 67, there is an optional solo opportunity for trumpet and trombone. Both of these sections provide nice contrast against the full ensemble sections that are present in the work. The section at m. 81 includes a call-and-response section between woodwind, brass and percussion groups. Be sure that as groups enter, the tempo remains consistent and that the winds articulation style is unified and complimentary to the percussion. As the opening fanfare returns at m. 101, remind the ensemble to play with consistent style, balance and tempo as they did in the opening. As the ensemble begins the part of the journey with Apollo at m. 110, the music contains unique layers that must work together to be effective and set up the material that begins at m. 127. Encourage the group to play so they can hear all other lines, and allow their energy to grow into a focused musical celebration by the final note. Thank you in advance for your support of this music, and I wish you and your ensemble well as Apollo Arise welcomes the audience to your concert hall.

SKU: CL.012-3022-75

An exciting and dynamic composition by James Swearingen that is certain to become one of his most popular and often performed pieces. Beginning with a slow expressive introduction, it soon segues into an Allegro Con Brio section which is impressive and spirited. Solidly scored in the patented Swearingen manner, this exceptional work will help inspire mid-level bands to new musical heights. Outstanding choice for almost any performance situation!

SKU: LO.99-2529L

UPC: 000308122848.

Gifted composer Pepper Choplin is widely celebrated for creating refreshingly different, original anthems that resonate with traditional folk qualities. Inspired by his best-selling Appalachian-style anthem of the same name (10/3751L), Choplin has crafted a stylized Christmas cantata that is unique, unusual, and yet somehow very comfortable and compatible. It is easily accessible to smaller choirs while also being musically intriguing for larger programs—the perfect way to celebrate the simplicity of Christmas! The instrumentation—a few winds, strings, percussion, and the option of several authentic Appalachian instruments—establishes an undeniable blend of simplicity and strength. Optional scriptural narrations are provided, and the available accompaniment CD will allow churches of all sizes and means to experience this distinctive seasonal presentation. Includes SATB and SAB performance recordings.