Tropical Sunshine
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Sometimes you just need a fun, light-hearted piece to fill out a concert program. "Tropical Sunshine" seeks to fill that space. The upbeat rhythms, melodies, and tons of colorful percussion parts make this a nice change-up. This could go well on a traditional concert program, as well as for assemblies or events that need to draw a wider appeal. The added percussion parts can really draw in a general audience.
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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.
Guardian
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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Adaptable Duets
Make sure you hop over to the Adaptable Duets section to start implementing chamber music into your program. Chamber music can be essential to developing young players' rhytmic and musical independence. I have a whole series of adaptable duets (beginner to difficult) to help make it easy for your students to play duets. Below are some examples:
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Jolly Old St. Nicholas - beginning band
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Jolly Old St. Nicholas is so catchy, probably because it's strikingly similar to Pachelbel's Canon. This version is arranged to be played by beginning/young band musicians (so not quite Pachelbel style). The music is tutti throughout, but the low voices get the melody for part of the second time through. The harmonies are SAB throughout to allow for a great sound with varying instrumentation. To facilitate the beginners, the notes required are Concert Bb to Concert Ab, aligning with the progression of most beginning band books. This piece would be a fun addition to a first holiday concert!
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