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This lyrical piece provides the young band with many opportunities for expressive playing. A simple, memorable melody sets the stage for interesting harmonic and textural treatments by all sections of the ensemble. An effective transition builds to a seamless modulation which gradually diminishes to a quiet conclusion. Alpine Meadow is great teaching tool for phrasing, articulation and dynamics.

Beginning with a strong introduction by the trumpets, this arrangement provides three effective settings of America. The first two settings are at a moderate march tempo in 4/4 time featuring the clarinets and trumpets, followed by a lush presentation by the low brass and woodwinds. A lively flute countermelody accompanies the first setting. The final presentation begins with a brass chorale in the traditional ¾ meter that leads to a stirring conclusion featuring a flowing woodwind countermelody. A short rallentando leads to a spirited return of the original march countermelody that brings the piece to an exciting conclusion.

It opens with a short introduction utilising the opening notes of the melody, proceeding to its first full statement in the upper woodwinds. The second presentation features the trumpets and xylophone followed by a statement in the bass instruments while the melody Long, Long Ago appears in the upper voices. A contrasting legato section follows, succeeded by a more rhythmic statement in woodwinds and trumpets. The melody then appears in the alto saxophones with a contrasting idea in upper woodwinds. A marcato statement of the melody appears as a three-bar phrase with a staccato accompaniment. The final section utilises the style of the opening measures and is expanded to bring the work to a final climactic conclusion.

Desperta Ferro!, or Awake the iron! was the battle cry of Medieval Spanish soldiers called the Almogavars. In the dim light of dawn, as they prepared for battle, these fierce soldiers would beat their swords on rocks shouting this phrase. The sparks that flew from the rocks in the eerie light of dawn, together with the soldier's call to arms, would give any enemy pause. Awake the Iron, with its insistent unisons, energetic rhythms, modal themes, and powerful percussive writing, mirrors the ferocious intensity of the medieval battlefield. This mature sounding, yet approachable work, is sure to be a favourite of both the musicians and audience.

Azure Hills is a lyrical ballad that presents the band with many opportunities for expressive playing. The theme is lightly presented by the flutes, then followed by another statement in the trumpets with added textures in the accompaniment. The second statement features some interesting harmonies by the woodwinds before leading into a very expressive final presentation of the melody with an added woodwind countermelody. A stirring variation and development leads to a very effective and climactic ending where melodic motives are passed from section to section as the piece winds down to a quiet, reflective conclusion.

This famous duet from the 1940s has been recorded by countless artists over the years, and was featured in the hit movie Elf starring Will Ferrell. Here is a terrific-sounding arrangement for young players

Here’s an uplifting original work with a novel Latin flair. The title was inspired by the popular video game, Guitar Hero. The work includes a dal segno with a brief coda which makes rehearsal and preparation a snap. Enjoy Banda Heroe and make heroes of your students one and all!

Big Raven takes its inspiration from a painting by Canadian artist, Emily Carr. Haunting forest sounds set the mood for a moving and reflective work

Black Is the Color (of My True Love's Hair) is a traditional folk song first known in the Appalachian Mountains region of United States in 1915, but most probably originated from Scotland. It is about a girl who is waiting for her lover to return from sea.

In 2004, NASA's Cassini spacecraft (named for astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini) entered into orbit around the planet Saturn. The famous rings are named for the first seven letters of the alphabet, and in order of their distance from the planet form a melodic tone row used as the basis for this creative and exciting work for beginning players. Duration: 2:20

Taking a similar approach to his popular Celtic Air and Dance, Michael Sweeney creatively combines two 17th-century carols (“Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” and “Fum, Fum, Fum”) into this attractive and distinctive setting for the Christmas Taking a similar approach to his popular Celtic Air and Dance, Michael Sweeney creatively combines two 17th-century carols (“Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” and “Fum, Fum, Fum”) into this attractive and distinctive setting for the Christmas season.

Code of Honor will inspire feelings of courage and adventure. A robust opening flows naturally into the main theme proposed by the trumpets, accompanied by the dauntless snare drummer. Uplifting harmonies add to the already spirited mood. Things calm down a bit during a moving but dignified lyrical section. We are soon propelled once again into action by the snare drum and our heroic theme carries us to a rousing conclusion

Even developing bands need to be challenged with music that stirs the imagination. Here's a great-sounding overture with bold melodies, creative harmonies, and contrasting styles that's still within the capabilities of beginning players. Duration: 2:50

A cool swing groove on the ride cymbal opens this jazzy piece. With the low brass and woodwinds providing a driving walking bass line, the trumpets, saxes, and upper woodwinds trade the melody effectively throughout the piece. Solid scoring and a strong rhythmic foundation allow the band to really lay back and put themselves into the “cruise control” setting! This is a great learning tool introducing elements of the swing and jazz genres to the young band.

This arrangement of two Irish folk songs is dedicated to the memory of Danny Pearl, the Wall Street journalist who was kidnapped and subsequently murdered by Islamic Militants in February 2002. The choice of Danny Boy is an obvious one. The arranger, John O’Reilly, always thinks of Danny when he hears this tune since Mr. O’Reilly’s daughter was very close to Danny during their high school years. Danny was a violinist and he loved to play fiddle music. The Wearin’ of the Green is in the style Danny enjoyed and the lyrics of the song relate to the struggle of the Irish people as they defied the British oppression.

One of the key moments from the hit Broadway musical Wicked centers around this powerful song. Here is an authentic-sounding arrangement that even beginners can enjoy.

(Do You Want) Salsa With That? is a lighthearted Latin tune that features your “star” player. The solo, written for almost every instrument, makes this a flexible selection for any group that gives students a chance to “get in front of the band.” Your audience will love the Latin percussion instruments playing a mambo rhythm that will bring a smile to everyone’s face. You can enhance the rhythm section to include almost any number of Latin instruments. Solid scoring and little technical demand make this piece reachable for the youngest of bands, but the rich harmonies, beautiful melody and syncopated rhythms make it sound sophisticated for the more mature player. This is a timeless selection your audience will enjoy for years to come.

From the original recording by Journey to the recent revival on the hit TV series Glee, here is one of the iconic songs of the '80s in a very playable and easy arrangement for

During his short life (1826–1864), Stephen C. Foster wrote over 200 songs, including some that are still extremely popular today. A few of his songs are so well known that many believe they are American folk songs. In this arrangement, three of his most popular songs are arranged for young band. The entire band shares the melody of “Camptown Races,” which is followed by a tender setting of “My Old Kentucky Home” featuring the woodwinds and bells. Everything comes to a rousing conclusion with Foster’s first big hit, “Oh! Susanna,” that lets the entire band shine.

This exciting work for beginning band uses a technique in which primary themes begin on a unison note, and then move stepwise away and back while the other voices remain static or proceed in contrapuntal inversion. This creates chords that expand and contract almost continuously beneath the melody. The percussion section plays an important role providing a rhythmic base which enhances the flow and development of the piece from beginning to end.

This delightful piece is the perfect opener for developing bands. Of the piece, the composer writes, My dog loves to take walk with our son, and she is always very excited to experience anything and everything on their journeys together. Glen Crossing contains melodies that revealed themselves to me n my walks with Hershey.

This delightful Christmas medley includes updated yet very playable settings of The First Noel, Good King Wenceslas and The Wassail Song, all linked together with bits and pieces of Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

Jolly Old St. Nick is the perfect fit for your young band's winter concert. The familiar tune, set in a light and airy fashion, is heard throughout the band and includes brief solos for each section. This confidence-building arrangement was scored to work well with smaller bands or those without ideal instrumentation, and to prepare easily in a minimum amount of rehearsals.

We can all recall family adventures and outings throughout our childhood that led us to enchanting and magical places where the impossible came to life and reality seemed like only a distant memory. Kingdom Adventures is an exciting composition that portrays the youthful spirit of exploring a magical kingdom, and reminds us of the careless wonders and experiences that highlight the memories of childhood. As you enter the kingdom, the majestic walls protect the stoic castle that stands in the midst of the kingdom. Inside the castle, every twist and turn of the castle's hallways offers the possibility of something amazingly new and exciting. One cannot help but to be transported into another place and time as they experience all that the magical kingdom has to offer!

Mozart's Serenade No. 13 for strings in G Major, K. 525 is commonly referred to as Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, which stands for a little serenade, but is more familiar to music lovers as a little night music. This arrangement uses themes from the first movement, and is cast in a comfortable key and range for young band musicians. Careful attention to the sudden, extreme dynamic changes will make the performance of this piece really come to life.

Hyperion, the mysterious moon of Saturn, boasts of a very musical race of robots! (Well, it makes for a fun story!) A perfect introduction to 6/8, this appealing and fresh-sounding work is written with easy-to-learn patterns, a single moderate tempo, and careful yet creative scoring for beginners. Duration: 2:10

From the opening strains of Angels We Have Heard on High to the majestic Joy to the World, Noel! will certainly grab your audience's attention. A short but poignant quotation of Hark the Herald Angels Sing at the end brings this fine arrangement to a festive conclusion.

Here is an exciting rock piece that lets your band cut loose! Strong percussion and bass lines provide he foundation for the initial aggressive theme and harmonic progressions. A lyrical section provides a nice contrast leading to the dynamic conclusion. Power Up!

Honour, greatness and celebration are images conjured by this new work for band. An energetic opening sets the mood for a solemn and mysterious theme. Melody and countermelody weave an interesting tapestry while the energy continues to build throughout.

Shenanigans is a mischievous musical montage for developing bands. The humour and spirit of the piece are enhanced by the jaunty style and chromatic accompaniments. A few surprising percussion effects serve to complete the piece. This delightful composition will be a sure-fire hit on your next concert!

Stand up and Swing gives young band students a chance to experience a popular style of music that’s really fun to play. Each section of the band takes turns standing up and playing a “solo” while the rest of the ensemble “backs them up” with some “tasty licks” set in a “cool” minor tonality. This “chart” will make even the most inexperienced bands sound mature beyond their years.

Star-Rise is a programmatic work depicting the progress of the stars across the night sky. Bells set the tone with a simple three-note melody as twilight falls and the first stars appear. Percussion effects represent crickets and cicadas chirping in the background. The texture becomes more chorale-like as related but distinct themes reveal themselves, representing rising constellations. As the star themes gently roll by, the harmony grows warmer and the melody becomes more grandiose in preparation for the final star-rise: the arrival of the morning sun.

If COOL is what you're looking for, YOU JUST FOUND IT! A simple, yet effective descending line in the lower voices of the band decides to hang out with a very hip melodic hook offered by the upper affiliates. Reverse rolls for the bridge, add in some harmony in 4ths, and the result is a level of cool your band and audiences will not soon forget. Everyone has something to say in this partnership in the study of cool

Beginning with a majestic statement, it moves into a legato melody with a lively percussion accompaniment. The melody makes its way around the ensemble with harmonised countermelodies. The piece concludes with a restatement of the festival fanfare and a bold ending. This is a terrific vehicle for students to work on phrasing and articulation.

Sunridge March is a spirited concert march that provides an energetic opening to any concert or festival. Each section of the band participates in the upbeat melodies and countermelodies with the percussion section, providing a solid rhythmic foundation. An effective modulation from A-flat to B-flat sets the piece up for a dynamic and exciting conclusion.

Featured in the hit TV series Glee, here is a very easy arrangement of the Neil Diamond classic from 1969. Sure to be enjoyed by all.

Using the first year set of skills, Tornado! will spin some excitement into your rehearsals and concert. This programmatic work depicts a storm building and arriving directly over your band. Complete with special effects from the percussion and clarinet sections.

Tu Ungane (Swahili, pronounced TOO une-GAH-nay) means Let's join together and refers both to musicians coming together to play as well as African and Western styles merging musically. Western musical styles such as Gospel, Blues, and Jazz owe much to African influence. African music has been influenced by the West as well, fusing British military and brass band music, along with the hymns and ongs of missionaries from Europe and the United States, with tribal folk elements. Tu Ungane explores his musical cross-pollination incorporating the Tanzanian folk song Asali Ya Nyuki (Honey of Bees) and original musical material in the style of the British-African fusion.

These Two German Dances were seleced from a set of 12 minuets and 12 German dances that Ludwig van Beethoven composed in 1795, at the point he already lived in Vienna. The minuets and dances were composed for the Ball der Gesellschaft der bildenden Kuenstler, an important social event that took place in Vienna every year and helped lay the foundation for the development and popularity of the Viennese Waltz. Philip Sparke has created an energetic and festive arrangement of these two sances for concert band. Duration: 1:45

Though entirely original, the melodies of Two Renaissance Sketches come alive with their modal harmonies and tasteful, dance-like percussion accompaniments which are typical of the period. A stately courtly dance and a lively jig give almost everyone in the band a chance to play the melody, and can be an excellent introduction to the sounds and style of Renaissance music.

This spirited march would be a perfect choice for a concert opener. Written well within the ranges of first year band students, each section has the opportunity to play the melody or the interesting harmonies. A solid foundation by the percussion section allows the piece to move at a brisk march tempo. With effective dynamic contrasts and articulation patterns, Tygh Ridge March is a great educational tool for the developing musician as well as a piece that is just fun to play!

After travelling to Beijing, China in the summer of 2008, the composer was inspired to create a concert work that depicts the ancient battles of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China in 221 BC, and his warriors. This Emperor's reign included unification, the building of the Great Wall and his endless search for immortality. Qin Shi Huang had over 8000 Terracotta Warriors buried in front of his tomb in order to have a strong underground army to defend him in the afterlife.

Beginning with an energetic fanfare, Willow Creek Festival is an upbeat piece that moves along smoothly in triple meter. The main theme is presented by the clarinets and saxophones and then again by the trumpets and flutes. A repetition of the introduction provides a transition to a contrasting section in 5/4 time which features a memorable melody in the relative minor key. With varied percussion colours, active rhythmic patterns and an effective countermelody, an excellent contrast is achieved. The main theme returns and flows into an exciting variation of the initial fanfare, bringing the piece to a dynamic conclusion.