New 2008-9  Up a Level         

Tohru Takahashi has created a fabulous transcription of the original work, full of lyrical warmth, humour and persuasiveness. Duration: 9:50 American Grade 5

Enjoy a jubilant celebration of sounds and rhythms in this refreshing work that musically explores the exhilaration of snowboarding or skateboarding on the “halfpipe.” Composer Samuel Hazo uses an energetic percussion fabric combined with twisting and turning patterns of melodies and riffs in this challenging and appealing offering for band. Duration: 3:50

Created by famed Beatles producer George Martin along with his son Giles for the ambitious Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas show spectacular, the album “Love” utilizes original Beatles recordings recast in new and imaginative settings and mixes. Effectively adapted for the concert stage by Jay Bocook, this terrific medley features Because, Drive My Car, The Word, What You're Doing, Hey Jude and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

(Mvt. IV from the Sea to Sky Suite)

This expansive work explores the delight, wonderment and excitement of a young boy's hopes and dreams. Several stylistic elements combine to depict various emotions and imaginings. In the words of the composer, ‘a boy's dreams are fantastical and mysterious, show great curiosity and yet most importantly, they are innocent and credulous.’ A terrific and fresh work for winds! Duration: 6:45

Renowned film composer Danny Elfman entered the symphonic world with a flourish with his orchestral work Serenada Schizophrana. Commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra in New York, it was premiered at Carnegie Hall in 2005. The third movement (A Brass Thing) features an eclectic blend of styles and striking sonorities and is skillfully adapted for wind band by Richard Saucedo. Duration: 5:30

Pulitzer Prize winner Karel Husa has created an impressive musical study of the fascinating cheetah. Through a variety of dramatic textures and skilled techniques, the music evokes the colours, movements, power, and speed of this magnificent wild animal. Duration. 5:40

Recommended! The word ‘dybbuk’ is from European-Jewish folklore meaning a possessing, and sometimes malevolent, spirit. This unique and powerful work for band displays a varied and expressive texture of musical styles and moods. The individual variations are subtitled With Urgency; Sassy; Deliberately, with Pent Anger; Seductively; and With Energy. You get the idea! Duration: 6:45

Right from the beginning, this dynamic overture explodes with intensity and rhythmic drive. Angular melodies and biting ensemble punctuations provide grit and character to this tour de force for wind band. For contrast, a slow middle section features rich harmonies and sonorous melodies before a reprise of the opening dynamic themes. Throughout the work an active percussion score supports and augments the overall dramatic effect. Dur: 6:15

This relatively brief yet energetic work certainly lives up to its title! Stretching harmonic boundaries and filled with rhythmic vitality, Richard Saucedo uses sections of mixed meters and a variety of unique orchestrational effects to create a stunning concert opener. Duration: 3:50

Written in an extended fanfare form, Richard incorporates layers of rhythmic patterns along with layers of tonalities into a work that is both strident and powerful. The final sequence blossoms into a dynamic statement for winds and percussion. Duration: 2:10

(Shrouds of Snow) This sensitive and beautifully scored work showcases delicate woodwind scoring and poignant melodies along with carefully paced emotional builds and full ensemble chorale-like passages. Mallet percussion colours and shimmering effects lend support in this impressive work. Duration: 3:30

(with vocal feature/opt. solo trumpet/solo alto sax)

A fabulous arrangement! Duration 6:20 American Grade 4

After a bombastic rapid-fire brass fanfare, the woodwinds take hold of a soaring melody that is then interspersed with full ensemble splashes. Woodwind flourishes and expansive scoring lend a grandiose splendor to the overall effect. Exciting and powerful writing for today's wind band! Duration: 3:45

Whirling, brightly-clad dancers, brought to life in Smetana’s 'Polka' from The Bartered Bride, are reanimated in this exhilarating transcription for concert band. The joyful celebration of Bohemian peasant life is evidenced from the development of the principal theme to the dramatic presto at the end. You’ll find it hard to stay in your seat! (4:55)

American Grade 4.5. Recommended!

Theme from the motion picture Raiders of the Lost Ark. Duration 5'57 Grade: Medium/Advanced

Conveying a spirit of hope and inspiration, this powerful overture (translated “Ever Forward”) features a diverse mix of styles and moods. The opening fast theme scored for the full ensemble is rich with vitality and drive. A legato middle section trades themes from section to section and provides a variety of dynamic and emotional contours. The final fast section starts quietly propelled by an incessant timpani figure, then steadily builds to an impressive full band conclusion. Duration: 5:45

Using the familiar hymn A Mighty Fortress as a foundation, Tim Waters weaves an ingenious set of variations to form a significant concert work for symphonic band. At times dynamic and rhythmic, then contrasted with softer flowing sections, this is an impressive addition to the repertoire. Duration: 4:20

(Mvt. III from the Sea to Sky Suite)

Feature your entire trumpet section or just a quartet on this entertaining and well-crafted composition. Written in a spirited and joyous style with just a hint of jazz colourations, this change of pace number is sure to be a crowd pleaser and perfect for lighter occasions.

American Grade 4.5. Recommended!

Creator of some of Broadway's most memorable moments, composer Charles Strouse celebrates his 80th birthday in 2008! Join the gala celebration with this entertaining medley of showstoppers. Includes: Put on a Happy Face (Bye Bye Birdie), Applause (Applause), Tomorrow (Annie), Once Upon a Time (All American) and Rags (Rags).

First published in 1979, this masterful work for solo flute and band is available again in this newly engraved edition. The solo part displays a variety of styles from beautifully expressive lyric lines to spirited faster passages, all supported wonderfully by the full ensemble. Duration: 8:30

Here is a unique and creative setting of the familiar tune Greensleeves (What Child Is This?) that opens with the melody scored softly for the woodwinds. The full ensemble contributes a series of harmonically rich phrases until the work reaches an emotional climax at the powerfully scored key change. Effective and memorable. Duration: 4:10

Recommended! Displaying a tapestry of Polish cultural history, this work exemplifies the traits of courage, perseverance and faith as it incorporates four traditional Polish folk songs. Included is the stirring hymn Beloved Mother, March of the First Brigade, One Hundred Years and the tender carol Lullaby, Sweet Jesus. Beautifully and effectively orchestrated for the mature ensemble. Duration: 7:30