Hide and Seek
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Being a "fun" uncle means that you will be playing Hide and Seek for hours on end. The counting, the hiding (trying to fit into spaces you no longer fit...), the running and yelling. I decided I wanted to incorporate these shenanigans into a light-hearted, programmatic band piece. This one likes to sway a bit from the typical form and procedure of concert music. It plays with silence, has some fun vocals, creeps (and stomps) about, finally ending with a chase scene. Check it out, maybe it'll be a fun one to play with your students!
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Guardian
Correlates to Foundation Warm-Up Series Set #5
Guardian is a cinematic adventure for concert band. When crafting this piece, I utilized techniques common in film and video game composing. First, the harmonic language is that of what you might hear at the latest superhero blockbuster to hit the screen. An example of this is m. 28 to m. 29, going from a C Minor chord to an F Major chord. This “major IV” sound creates a triumphant and cinematic feel. Another technique I used is motivic development. The whole piece is built off three diatonically consecutive notes (C, D, Eb). This pattern is varied throughout-articulations, note length, reversed, etc-much like film composers will manipulate a leitmotif depending on the setting of a particular scene. I love writing for the screen because I get to help maximize the dramatic experience. With Guardian, you can take your ensemble on your own cinematic journey!
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Spy Game
I've always loved "spy" movies. Whether we're talking James Bond, Jason Bourne, or the Incredibles.... I've always enjoyed the style of film. And as much as like the films themselves, I LOVE the music. There are so many idiomatic traits that every composer has a different take. Whether we're listening to original Bond scores for John Barry or John Powell's electronically infused Bourne scores, there are so many interesting motifs and themes out there.
Spy Game is a sneaky piece. There are twists and turns, creeping in the shadows and epic action sequences. And though each sequence doesnt have specific programmatic connotations, teachers and students should use their imagination as to what the spy protagonist has gotten mixed up in! The form is roughly an A-B-C-A-B-Coda. There is much repetition to not add too much extra material for younger players to learn. There are also a few Easter eggs of semi-quotes buried within. Spy Game would be a great programming choice to add some excitement and intrigue to the young band concert!
Spy Game is a sneaky piece. There are twists and turns, creeping in the shadows and epic action sequences. And though each sequence doesnt have specific programmatic connotations, teachers and students should use their imagination as to what the spy protagonist has gotten mixed up in! The form is roughly an A-B-C-A-B-Coda. There is much repetition to not add too much extra material for younger players to learn. There are also a few Easter eggs of semi-quotes buried within. Spy Game would be a great programming choice to add some excitement and intrigue to the young band concert!
Honor
Honor was written to give young ensembles a chance work on a lyrical piece that evokes a sense of compassion towards those that serve. Not specifically in a specific genre, it uses subtle harmonies of 4ths and 5ths with an occasional major seventh sound to create a Copland-esque nostalgia. Honor would go well on a Veterans Day or Memorial Day Program, but also as just a concert piece to work on lyrical playing at a young age. I've always liked the fact that, through music, the band can help make ceremonies distinguished and more memorable.
Galactic Adventure
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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! |
Dragon Warrior
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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.
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This Old Man Variations
This piece correlates to Foundation Warm-Ups Set #6
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This is a lively and fun arrangement of the famed folk tune “This Old Man.” The techniques used align with the latter part of most beginning band methods. Playful in nature, the melody is passed around from section to section-sometimes chopped up, sometimes varied. Each section (including low brass and percussion) gets to play the melody or harmony to the melody. This Old Man Variations would be a great addition to a young band concert!
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Gladiator
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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!
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Legend
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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. |
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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.
