New Music for 2019-2020
Dear Friends and Colleagues in the Band World,
Summer is a great time to recharge and regroup, and I hope each of you has been able to do just that with family and friends. As school approaches and you begin to consider what your groups will study and perform this year, I wanted to take time and share with you several new works that may be of interest to you and your ensembles. 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 look at Winds of Joy from C.L. Barnhouse. Listed as Grade 1.5, the work is intended for students in their third semester of instrumental music and plays much closer to a Grade 1. The positive energy within the work make it a great choice to open a concert, and there are numerous opportunities for every section to contribute important material. I am deeply appreciative of Dr. Scott Watson from the Parkland School District in Pennsylvania for commissioning this work.
I am delighted to have a new holiday work in press this year. A Winter Flourish for Wenceslas (published by Ludwig-Masters), is a festive setting of “Good King Wenceslas”. The melody has been slightly altered, making use of syncopation, to provide a decidedly new twist on a familiar holiday tune. It is intended for students entering their 3rd year of instrumental instruction, ideally a junior high or middle school band comprised of seventh and eighth grade students. I think it is a wonderful option to open a holiday concert that your band will enjoy studying and performing.
Over the past 10 years, it has been a pleasure getting to know Henry Pearlberg in the Strathhaven School District. Prior to starting a commission for his junior high group, Henry’s longtime friend and colleague in Strathaven Jack Hontz unexpectedly passed away. The commission became an elegy and celebration of Jack, his life in music, and his proud Scottish heritage. This setting of Peat Fire Flame begins with original material, before a setting of the folk song. There are some optional solos throughout in clarinet, flute, oboe (cued elsewhere), trumpet, horn (cued elsewhere) and trombone. As Peat Fire Flame draws to conclusion in an uplifting manner a short strain of Auld Lang Syne is brought into the sound canvas reminding all of us that though friends may have left us their memory needs to stay and be celebrated. It is certainly a “feel-good” piece for audience, students and director alike.
Triumphant Flourishes is a celebratory work that was written for Carol Lutte and the Easton High School Wind Ensemble (PA). Carol’s career has been stellar, and it was an honor to write for her and her students. If I had to describe it using only three words it would be this: joyful, encouraging, and uplifting. There are several solo opportunities for trumpet and trombone. In 6/8 time, this piece from Wingert-Jones makes a great concert opener.
I am extremely thankful for and humbled by commission opportunities. My work with the Manheim Central Bands and Mr. John Brackbill produced a work that is in part programmatic, and part homage to Gustav Holst. A popular deity in Roman culture, Mercury was instantly recognized by his unique winged shoes (talaria) and hat (petasos). With its proximity to the sun and faster orbit than all other planets, the Romans named this small celestial body after the swift-winged messenger of their culture. It is not surprising that in Holst’s major orchestral suite The Planets that Mercury utilizes such light and swift themes. Chasing Mercury depicts a swift and playful chase of the deity. In addition to original material, two themes from Holst’s Mercury emerge throughout the work in a seamless fashion. Who exactly is chasing Mercury? I leave that up to the wonderfully creative minds of the young ladies and gentlemen who can bring this work to life. The opportunity to compose music and allow student musicians to give this piece new life and draw out different meanings is a humbling and rewarding experience.
Several older works of mine have enjoyed some great performances this year and work well for concert and festival situations: Monsters of Myth (Gr. 4, FJH), Rising Winds from the Valley (Gr. 3-3.5, Bandworks Publications) and Festival and Ballade for Winds (Gr. 3.5, Wingert-Jones) are worth checking out for high school groups. For being out one year, I was delighted to hear from many directors about how much they enjoyed rehearsing and performing Apollo Arise (Carl Fischer) with their groups. It was wonderful hearing from directors about how Irish Jig for Young Feet (Gr. 2, FJH) has continued to help directors and students master 6/8 time. I would encourage you to also check out Tales of a Medieval Warrior (Gr.2.5, FJH) if you are looking for exposure in both Cut-Time and 6/8 for your ensemble. Finally, American Visions (Gr. 4, FJH), Yankee Fanfare (Gr. 2.5, Grand Mesa) and Songs of Soldiers (Gr. 3.5, Grand Mesa) have proved to be great additions for patriotic and spring concerts.
If I can be of service to you and your students in the coming year, please contact me here or at Messiah College. As Director of Music Education at Messiah College, my schedule at Messiah does afford me to make visits for clinics both in person or Skype/FaceTime/Google Hangout. Please contact me at your convenience if you are interested in exploring a date for a visit.
Finally, I just want to take a minute to tell all of you – directors, colleagues, and friends thank you for your continued support and encouragement. I am humbled by the fact many of you deem my music worthy to share with your students, and I hope through the process of studying and performing them it has made your band members stronger musicians and people. Best wishes for a fantastic school year and thanks again!
