SKU: HL.4007970
With its height of 4,808 meters, Mont-Blanc is called “the roof of Europe.†The highest mountains on our planet have been insurmountable for a long time. Only in the past 250 years have those giants been mounted. Crystal-hunter Jacques Balmat and Michel-Gabriel Paccard, a doctor, were the first to climb Mont-Blanc, in 1786. Many paths lead to Mont-Blanc's peak: the regular ascent goes through the magnificent “voie royale of Saint-Gervais-les- Bains,†which was opened in August 1855 by the Englishmen Hudson, Kennedy, and Smythe. Today's most common route to climb up, starting from Saint-Gervais via Aiguille du Gou ter (3,863m), Do me du Gou ter (4,304m), and Are te des Bosses (4,547m), was first used in 1861. Otto M. Schwarz composed this work inspired by “the roof of Europe†with its luminous and huge glaciers. Early in the morning, mountain climbers set off to the peak; they witness the sunrise, and experience the hazards that the journey up to the summit brings along. A snowstorm and falling rocks at Are te des Bosses aggravate their journey. A sudden change of weather, however, enables them to reach the top after a strenuous ascent. This piece invites you to an imaginary journey from Saint-Gervais-les-Bains via the “voie royale†to the top of Mont-Blanc.
SKU: CL.012-4108-01
Mt Everest has attracted the most adventurous of mountain climbers for decades, with many meeting their fate in the attempt to scale the world's highest mountain. The legend of the Yeti has tales of the wild, hairy creatures serving as protectors of Everest and it's villages. The music begins boldly, depicting the majestic sight of this magnificent mountain as our journey begins. The music develops as our journey progresses, telling an eventful and tumultuous tale reaching a stunning climax as the apex of the mountain is reached. From here, the work subsides as the breathtaking vistas unfold in the beautiful, lyric sounds before building to a stunning conclusion of majesty and grandeur. A truly outstanding work, Everest: The Forbidden Journey is destined to become a classic for concert and festival use. Don't miss this epic musical adventure!
SKU: CL.012-4108-75
SKU: PR.110418160
ISBN 9781491114049. UPC: 680160640393. 9 x 12 inches.
Stacy Garrop began hiking in northern Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park in her early 20s. From the start, she was drawn to a jagged stretch of rock formations linking Longs Peak to Pagoda Mountain, at over 13,000 feet. These formations are called the “Keyboard of the Winds,†as their thin, spindly peaks suggest splintered keys of an old, broken piano. Inspired by one particular journey the composer took through the Keyboard of the Winds en route to Pagoda’s summit, this work is a tribute to the Keyboard of the Winds. Its fast, whirling gestures depict swirling clouds above, and the musical high points represent a hiker reaching the peak of Pagoda Mountain. These sections are set in contrast with quiet, introspective material embodying the hiker quietly surveying the grandeur and beauty of the valley below, as well as the soaring pinnacle of Longs Peak overhead.I began hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado when I was in my early twenties. RMNP is home to some of the most gorgeous mountains in North America, encompassing 265,000 acres of wilderness, flora, and fauna. Among the park’s numerous summits is Longs Peak, a mountain that is 14,259 feet high (the highest in the region). From my earliest days of hiking, I was drawn to Longs Peak, as well as to a jagged stretch of rock formations that link Longs Peak to Pagoda Mountain (which stands at 13,497 feet). These formations are called the Keyboard of the Winds, as their thin, spindly peaks loosely suggest the splintered keys of an old, broken piano.One summer, I made the ascent to Pagoda Mountain using a route that took me along the right side of the Keyboard of the Winds. My hiking partner and I started up the trail in the pre-dawn hours, and the weather was stormy. Dawn had broken by the time we reached the base of the Keyboard, but its peaks were still surrounded by clouds. As we climbed higher and higher, the Keyboard’s thin spires became visible, along with the top of Pagoda Mountain. We reached the summit of Pagoda, admired the view (what we could see through the clouds), and made our descent.My piece is a tribute to the Keyboard of the Winds. The fast, whirling gestures depict swirling clouds, and the musical high points represent a hiker reaching the peaks of the Keyboard. I have contrasted these sections with quiet, introspective material; these embody the hiker quietly surveying the grandeur and beauty of the valley below (on a cloudless day), as well as the soaring pinnacles of Longs Peak and Pagoda Mountain overhead.
SKU: KJ.WB487
ISBN 9788402704849. UPC: 8402704840.
The Crystal Hill is the nickname for New Hampshire's Mount Washington, the highest peak in the north eastern USA. Its weather is notoriously fickle, and the world's highest wind speed of 231 m.p.h. was recorded there in 1934. Composer Brad Ciechomski paints a vivid portrait depecting a climb up the mountain. Soaring melodies and exuberant rhythms depict and intrepid trek. Wind sound effects enhance the performance. Download the free audio files from the Kjos Multimedia Library at www.kjos.com.
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: KJ.WB487F
UPC: 8402704841.
