Dragon Warrior
|
Dragon Warrior is a piece for beginners, as it only uses the first six notes typically learned on wind instruments (Concert Bb-Concert G). I wrote this to be a piece to get kids excited about playing their instruments and making music together (it's definitely not "high art"). It also appeals to the imagination and a lot of what we see in film/tv and video games these days. Also, this begins my journey into creating engaging accompaniments for students to use for practicing. If your speakers are powerful enough you could play along with a larger group of students, maybe as a Fun Friday activity.
|
|
|
|
|
Gladiator
|
|
Gladiator attempts to capture the intensity of the magnificent colosseum using only about six different pitches. Utilizing the first six notes learned (with a couple of exceptions at the end), everything centers around a concert "d," creating a ominous Phrygian sound. For the wind players, there are only quarter, half, and whole notes throughout. However, this is a great piece to focus on proper counting. To create the chaos that a gladiator would experience (and to generate rhythmic interest), there is much variation on strong beat/weak beat entrances. This can challenge students while the create a sound much different than the standard "C minor" that is often utilized for first year students. HAVE FUN!
|
Galactic Adventure
|
|
Galactic Adventure is a great piece for young performers, most likely achievable by the first concert. The title originates from the fact that the beginning harmonies sound similar to what you might hear in a film score centering around space. The beginning has a rich maestoso section, where the brass and woodwinds each get a moment to shine. The rest of the piece is swift and energetic, with lots of fun for all the players. Students even get to pull out pencils and tap on the stands. This exciting composition will surely be a fun one for students to play! |
Legend
|
Legend is a piece for young concert band, ideally towards the end of the first year playing or possibly into the second year. The piece is in C Minor, starting slow with a powerful regal quality. It then kicks it up and is aggressive for the remainder. It's an exciting journey where all the instruments get to play interesting harmonies and melodies throughout. Idiomatic to the young band medium, it should be a great concert selection where students and put forth an energetic and exciting performance. |
|
|
|
|
Flexible Instrumentation Pieces
So these are from my "Adaptable Quintet" series. They're basically flex-band-type tunes because they're all written SSATB.
The best part is that they're quintet prices and not band prices... so enjoy for only $5 or $6.
The best part is that they're quintet prices and not band prices... so enjoy for only $5 or $6.
