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Concert Band and Wind Ensemble
| The tradition of the wind band has developed in several directions. Military bands have remained intact as concert bands, brass bands and wind ensembles continue to grow in popularity. These ensembles have gained recognition for being both interesting and versatile. The EASTMAN WIND ENSEMBLE is the most famous of the current wind ensembles. The beauty of this size of group is that with only one player to a part it has a more chamber ensemble sound, with 40 or so players, than what is known as the concert band, which can have as many as 150 players. This wind setting has some real potential to win over audiences as much as chamber string groups have for centuries. |
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Eighth Note Publications now has RealAudio sound files of the concert band songs for our customers to preview before purchasing. You must have PRIÈRE À NOTRE-DAME from "SUITE GOTHIQUE"
by L. Boellman
Arranged by David Marlatt
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This beautiful slow movement from a work for solo organ is a great feature for the clarinet section of a band. The melody flows throughout the ensemble but the clarinets receive the most attention. This is an ideal work to show off the lyrical and musical side of a concert band. The haunting melody will captivate audiences and impress adjudicators at festivals and other contests.
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DONKEY RIDING by Donald Coakley |
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This famous folksong has been brilliantly arranged for concert band. Melody is found throughout the ensemble and rhythmic variety keeps the piece interesting and exciting for both players and the audience. Creative writing and a popular melody make this an ideal piece for contest use.
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MARKHAM FAIR SUITE by David Marlatt |
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This set of short pieces depicts events that occur annually at fairs all across North America. Ferris wheels, cotton candy, and a fanfare to open the fair are all included. Unique to this short suite is Old McDonald's Barn, a popular viewing event with children found at the Markham Fair. In this movement, animal noises are emulated within the group. This work is not too difficult and is very interesting and fun for all players. Every section in the band is featured and gets a chance to perform some melodic material.
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DOCK WALKIN' from "ALL'S FAIR" by Jeff Smallman |
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In the old movies, a character who was down on his luck could be found walking along the harbourfront reflecting on his circumstances. This mood has been captured in composer Jeff Smallman's Dock Walkin'. Taken from the original musical All's Fair, this piece for solo piano and band is set against the backdrop of the early 1940s. Filled with lush, rich harmonies reminiscent of the big band era, the listener will be instantly transported back to the days of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.
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AND BIRDS WILL SING AGAIN from "ALL'S FAIR" by Jeff Smallman |
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This lyric tune is taken from a musical entitled All's Fair, written by the composer. Set during the Second World War, this song is sung in memory of friends and family who have been lost in battle. Flutes and bells, and later the baritone, play the melody during the verses while the trumpets are given the melody during the refrains. This piece begins quietly, builds slowly through to the end of the second chorus, then quietly winds its way through the last few phrases.
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LET'S HAVE A BALL
by I. Harrington Young
Arranged by Kenneth Bray
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This work was originally written as a contest entrance piece for the theme song for the 1967 Expo in Montreal. The band arrangement, done by Kenneth Bray, has truly captured the spirit of this concert march. The melody is played by all including the low brass and tubas. Written in typical march style with some interesting musical twists, this will have your audience marching in their seats.
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PAVANA ANTIQUA by Jeff Smallman |
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A pavane was a slow dance from the 16th or 17th century. The talented Canadian composer Jeff Smallman has taken this Baroque form and created a very colourful piece that features all sections. There are lots of interesting percussion parts that add to the charm of this work. Pavana Antiqua would be an ideal selection to programme between two louder or faster pieces to show the contrast in styles that bands are capable of performing in.
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THE TWENTIETH CENTURY BAND by Donald Coakley |
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This is a great new piece by Donald Coakley. He has taken commonly used compositional techniques and developed them into a three movement work. He had this to say about the piece: All these components are presented in an easy and accessible framework. As a totality, the 3 movements that make up The Twentieth Century Band seek to advance the young players musical and technical skills; in addition, it seeks a heightened understanding of the craft of composition through the presentation of some common devices used by composers in this century.
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GENTLE CLOUDS ROLL BY - A Chippewa Lullaby by Donald Coakley |
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This lovely Chippewa lullaby was first collected on the western shores of the Great Lakes at the beginning of the twentieth century. The original "Way Way" text was obviously intended to gently lull a baby to sleep. Performing this work presents two opportunities. First, it presents the opportunity to perform with the school choir (or members of the band to sing the choral parts). Second, it also presents the option to work with the history department in the school when they are teaching about native peoples. Cross curriculum work is always popular and is of great benefit to students.
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VARIATIONS on BLUE BELLS of SCOTLAND for soloist with band
Traditional
Arranged by David Marlatt
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This folk song has been arranged in a theme and variations format for a variety of solo instruments (either a flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, or trombone/euphonium). The band plays the accompaniment figures as well as the break strains. The solo part is very reasonable and sounds harder than it is (about a Grade 3 1/2). This is great piece for showing off that talented soloist in your ensemble.
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SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS CHILD
Traditional
Arranged by David Marlatt
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Spirituals have found their way into the standard repertoire of vocalists and instrumentalists. The lyrical tunes combined with the powerful message they tell affect us all. In this arrangement all parts are interesting and the jazz harmonies add a really great colour to this famous tune. There are solos for trumpet, baritone and clarinet in this arrangement.
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MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING
Traditional
Arranged by David Marlatt
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This is another great Spiritual. The arrangement opens with an unaccompanied alto saxophone, adds the trombones playing soft chords then builds through the band to create a lush, rich sound. This is an ideal ensemble piece to develop blend, balance and intonation.
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SIYAHAMBA
Traditional
Arranged by David Marlatt
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This is a traditional South African folksong that has been adapted and arranged for concert band. The authentic rhythmic backgrounds performed on a variety of percussion instruments add colour and interest. This is exciting music to add something really different to your next concert.
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PAT-A-PAN
Traditional
Arranged by David Marlatt
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Pat-a-Pan is a very rustic Christmas piece that is set in a round beginning with two clarinets and adding a solo flute and trumpet. The percussive "drone" parts add a distinct colour to this piece. The round builds to a glorious climax giving way to an odd duet pair - the tubas! The piece ends how it began, quietly with a rustic flare.
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LEST WE FORGET
Music and Readings for Remembrance
Arranged by David Marlatt
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This is a collection of national anthems and hymns suitable for performance at a Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, funeral or other reflective event. Also included are readings suitable for solemn occasions including poetry, historical notes on Veterans Day, Remembrance Day as well as the history of Taps, the Last Post and Reveille.
- The Star Spangled Banner
- O Canada
- God Save the Queen / My Country 'Tis of Thee
- Eternal Father Strong to Save (U.S. Navy Hymn)
- Onward Christian Soldiers
- Amazing Grace
- Now Thank We All Our God
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CONCORD FANFARE
by David Marlatt
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This is a short energetic piece which contains all the expected elements you may expect with a fanfare. Running scale passages in the upper woodwinds, driving percussion parts and fanfares in the brass. This would be a great way to open a concert or at a special event. The lower voices get some great scale runs which help to drive the piece and give them something interesting to play.
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O COME, O COME EMANUEL
Traditional
Arranged by David Marlatt
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This piece was written in the thirteenth Century by an unknown composer. It has been set using a single melodic line as many Gregorian chants were constructed. One trumpet player is asked to stand away from the group. This is to emulate the call and response between a soloist and congregation at a church service found in many denominations. This is a very effective treatment of this lesser known Christmas carol.
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THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER
by F.S. Key
Arranged by David Marlatt
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The American National Anthem is one of the most famous national songs in the world. The power and majesty of this work has been captured in arrangements for such ensembles as trumpet ensemble, brass quintet, countless vocal renditions and military band. This version, at a grade 2 level, is approachable by most young bands.
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© 2006 Eighth Note Publications