New Music for 2018-19
It is hard to believe that summer is approaching August 1. Knowing that school is around the corner for many friends and colleagues in the band world, I wanted to share four new works that have been published that may be of interest to school bands during the upcoming school year. There is a great deal of variety between their styles, and each piece offers an enjoyable musical challenge for your students.
For elementary bands, I would encourage directors to check Renaissance Round from Ludwig-Master’s Music Publications. It is a short lilting melody in 3/4 time evocative of that era in Music and Art. The three part round provides great opportunities for every section to perform the melody.
It was a pleasure writing for the Chester County Youth Wind Ensemble (PA), and I hope that The Forge of Freedom might be of use to your programming needs with your mid-level band. While there was no battle fought at Valley Forge, the time that General Washington and the continental army spent there proved to be valuable in the colonies quest for independence. The folk song Chester is presented at the opening (in the minor), symbolizing Washington’s retreat. As the music develops, so does the resolve and skill of the continental army leading to a full statement of Chester near the conclusion of the work. It is available through Wingert-Jones music.
Apollo Arise is a dynamic concert opener for high school band. The piece celebrates the joyful and energetic spirit of the famous figure from Greek mythology. It is listed as a Grade 3 from Carl Fischer Music Publications, and received an Editor’s Choice from J.W. Pepper.
Directors with advanced groups may want to consider Metro Dances (Grade 5) from Wingert-Jones Publications. The piece is musical depiction of driving through a large city with difficult traffic patterns – in my case Pittsburgh. The piece was a tour-de-force written for the exceptional North Hills High School Wind Ensemble (located in Pittsburgh). It is a four and a half minute work that contains several distinct sections (“Into the City”, “Traffic Jam”, “Big Trucks”, “Rush Hour” and “Breaking Free (I-279 North)”. The “Rush Hour” section includes a trumpet and alto sax solo which can be expanded if you have students with serious improvisation skills in other sections.
Several older works of mine have enjoyed some great performances this year and work well for concert and festival situations: Pirates! (Gr. 3-3.5, FJH) and A Scottish Sunrise (Gr. 3.5, Wingert-Jones) are worth checking out for high school groups. It was a delight hearing from directors about how Irish Jig for Young Feet (Gr. 2, FJH) has served their groups well. I would encourage you to also check out Festival of Flight (Gr.2.5) if you are looking for another exciting work in 6/8 for your ensemble.
If I can be of service to you and your students in the coming year, please contact me through my website, Facebook Page, or at Messiah College. As Director of Instrumental Music at Messiah College, my schedule does afford me to make visits for clinics both in person or Skype/FaceTime. Best wishes to you and your ensembles – Life, Love, Music!
