BEGINNING BAND
Chase the Heat is composed in an exciting Latin style, evoking imagery of bright sunlight and sizzling temperatures. Latin percussion instruments (guiro, cabasa, claves, agogo bells, vibraslap, toms, & shakers) are featured throughout in various ways. The infectious groove propels the piece to an exciting finish!
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BEGINNING BAND
Sakura is an ancient Japanese children's song. It is traditionally accompanied by a koto (a long 13-stringed instrument) or a shamisen (a 3-stringed lute) and various gongs, drums, and bells. In addition to the pentatonic melodic structure common to music from the region, listen for the temple blocks and gong in the percussion section!
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BEGINNING BAND
Midnight Sea Chanty is an original piece for band inspired by the call-and-response work songs used by sailors to accompany the physical duties being performed aboard their sailing vessels. In centuries past, the purpose of work songs was to maintain a ship crew's focus on safety, navigating often dangerous waters. Recalling the grueling tasks of rowing, raising sails, or hauling nets, sea shanties kept the crew together and focused on the tasks at hand.
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BEGINNING BAND
Klezmer is a term derived from Hebrew meaning "musical instrument/musician." The music consists of dance-like tunes performed at joyful celebrations such as weddings or bar mitzvahs. Because klezmer music attempts to imitate the sounds of the human voice, including laughs, groans, sighs, and sobs, it is often most suitably expressed through clarinet & violin. Klezmer music incorporates the sounds of European Romani music, Russian folk music, and early American jazz. Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, for example, opens with a klezmer-sounding clarinet line.
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CADET BAND
Danza Africana refers to the various dance styles of sub-Saharan Africa. These dances are closely connected with the traditional rhythms and music of the region. An integral part of many traditional African societies, dances facilitate teaching, promote social values, celebrate special events and major life milestones, and convey history and spiritual experiences. African dance uses the concepts of polyrhythm and are a collective activity performed in large groups in the majority of styles.
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CADET BAND
Camel Caravan was inspired by the journeys of merchants, pilgrims and the caravan of camels who traversed the deserts of northern Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For centuries, caravans consisting of 150 camels or more carried products such as wool, cotton fabrics and tea across rugged terrain while withstanding extreme harsh conditions. Most
caravans have now disappeared, replaced by trucks and planes. However, there are still some that exist in harsh regions where transportation alternatives remain scarce.
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CADET BAND
Terracotta portrays the Terracotta Army of ancient China, the buried army of Qin Shi Huang, an ancient Chinese emperor. These ancient sculptures were built and buried over two thousand years ago near the city of Xi'an. They were discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well looking for underground water. Over a thousand terracotta warriors and horses have been uncovered since then. At least 6,000 more are thought to remain buried still. In this piece, moments of discord & massive percussion sounds symbolize the plight of the 700,000 plus workers that took nearly 40 years to complete the project.
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CONCERT BAND
Blue Ridge Reel was inspired by a visit to Asheville, located in the mountains of North Carolina and the home of many fine bluegrass bands. Many influences in the region come from the rich cultures of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The fiddle music eventually played a major role in the development of country and bluegrass music. The title, Blue Ridge Reel, pays homage to the Blue Ridge Mountains. While influenced by the form and style of a traditional Irish reel, the music certainly heads in some contemporary directions as it seeks to mix the modern feel of a city like Asheville with its deeply engrained musical roots.
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CONCERT BAND
Byzantine Dances is generally meant to portray a set of Turkish Dances. The opening dance is fast and energetic, written in the style of a Romani dance. The melody incorporates grace notes, while the harmony and bass line incorporate countermelodies and syncopated lines. The slower section is written in the style of a Zeybek dance, which is often performed by a solo dancer symbolizing courage and heroism. The dancer uses out-stretched ams, almost resembling a great hawk. This piece incorporates some uniquely Turkish-sounding elements. Much of the melodic material is based on either the Byzantine scale or the Harmonic Major scale, and uses Turkish Zills, or finger cymbals, which are often used in dances of this region. The Byzantire Empire, also known as the Eastem Roman Empire, lasted from about 400-1453 A.D. and covered much of the area of what is now Turkey.
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CONCERT BAND
The Great Locomotive Chase (also known as Andrews' Raid or the Mitchel Raid) depicts the military raid that occurred in 1862 in Georgia during the
American Civil War. Volunteers from the Union Army, led by civilian scout James Andrews,
commandeered a train, "The General," and took it northward toward Chattanooga, TN, doing as much damage as possible to the vital Western and Atlantic Railroad (W&A) line from
Atlanta to Chattanooga as they went. They were pursued by Confederate forces at first on foot, and later on a succession of locomotives, including "The Texas," for 87 miles (140 km). Because the telegraph wires had been cut, the Confederates could not send warnings ahead to forces along the railway. Confederates eventually captured the raiders and quickly executed some as spies, including Andrews; some others were able to flee. The surviving raiders were the first to be awarded the newly created Medal of Honor by the US Congress for their actions. As a civilian, Andrews was not eligible.
* This is such a cool piece with TONS of historical details included in the score. Ask me, if you'd like more information!
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