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By the time Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) completed his 4th Symphony in 1874, he was still little known outside his native Bohemia. After applying several times for an Austrian state artist grant, he became known to Brahms, who recommended him to his publisher, Simrock. Brahms’ friendship and influence on his young friend became apparent in Dvorak’s music, but with the 8th Symphony that effect had been superseded by a strong nationalistic trait. The 3rd movement, “Allegretto Grazioso,” is based on a song from an earlier opera, and the coda in a faster tempo recalls the “Slavonic Dances.” These infectiously joyous melodies will be loved by students and audiences alike.

Perfect for festival! This lush, lyrical setting will be great for developing legato bow arms! In the great Russian tradition of composition, Canzone sotto le stelle, will be a new classic.

Circinus is a Latin word meaning circle. And in music, a circle of organized sound is a canon. The theme of this canon weaves itself through the voices; sometimes in unison, octaves, as a duet, a trio, or in imitation until it completes the circle and ends where it began.

Inspired by the illness that scientists experienced while exploring the tomb of the boy-pharaoh Tutankhamun in the 1920s, this work musically traces the history from the discovery of the tomb through the mysterious curse. Both intense and enjoyable, this delightful work will capture your students' imagination. Includes optional percussion. \Highly recommended!

Written in the style of an overture, “Dreams of a Midsummer Night” is not a tone poem depicting specific actions in the play, but instead uses themes to represent characters in Shakespeare’s beloved comedy. These themes include: the acrobatic and mischievous sounds of Puck (m. 20), a peasant-like tune representing the rustics (m. 62), Bottom’s braying after his head is transformed into that of a donkey’s (m. 80), and a simple yet beautiful lover’s theme (m. 117). A hint of Debussy’s “Claire de Lune” (m. 139), adds to the passion and magic of the night.

“The Coventry Carol” is named after the city of Coventry. It was a carol performed in the play The Pageant of The Shearman and Tailors, written in the 15th Century as one of the Coventry Cycle Mystery Plays. For your string ensemble, Jerry Brubaker has created this marvelous “fantasy variations” on this very beautiful and well known carol. We begin with a renaissance style chorale setting followed by a fugue. There is a lively and exciting dance section leading to a dramatic and majestic conclusion.

This is the first movement of a String Symphony in four movements entitled “American Serenade.” Each movement of this work has a descriptive title which attempts to paint a picture of America from a historical perspective allowing the listener to focus on broad images from our past. The four movements are: 1) Ode to the Plains and Wild Horses Running, 2) Gathering Storms, 3) Elegy for Fallen Heroes, 4) A Nation Rising. The movement presented in this publication “1. Ode to the Open Plains and Wild Horses Running”, is drawn from the composer's love of American Folk Art, and specifically the paintings of Thomas Moran and Albert Beirstadt. The many large scale and colorful depictions of the untamed West by these great artists give a real feel for the rough hewn frontier life, and are the inspiration for this movement. The cliché of ‘Wide Open Spaces,’ and the ‘Big Sky’ are the images this music is meant to evoke as the soundtrack for whatever pictures or stories of America come to mind!