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SYMPHONIC PERFORMANCE SERIES
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Medium/Medium Advanced
Standard concert band instrumentation
Difficulty within reason for high school groups
Unusual instruments crossed-cued
Expanded percussion section, increased instrument options
Mature piece of high musical value
American Heroes
A Salute to the Armed Forces; arranged by Carl Strommen
>This stirring medley is a great way to satisfy the uniquely American longing for patriotic expression. Introduced by the last phrase of the National Anthem, Carl Strommen's medley includes all four of the traditional service songs (Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force) in rousing settings that can be done with optional narrator, chorus or band alone. The salute ends with a heartfelt setting of the refrain of America the Beautiful. This selection is guaranteed to bring your audience to its feet!
Duration: 4'15" Keys: B flat, E flat, D flat
Ranges: Trumpet-G; Horn-A; Trombone-G
SPS13 ($75.00; 15.00; 3.50) 
(Choral versions: SATB-CM8770; 3pt. Mixed-CM8771; 2pt. Treble-CM8772;
$1.75 each)
Ascendance
Robert Thurston
A dynamic new concert overture that derives most of its force and material from the striking fanfare motive announced in the opening measure by horns and trumpets (concert E flat, B flat, A flat, D flat). The bold opening in compound time is followed by a suave and flowing Adagio in 4/4 meter, that makes a lovely tune out of a variant of the opening motive. At measure 103, with a marimba solo, the Allegro style and compound meter return for a rousing and invigorating climax. This piece is a significant new addition to the band repertoire for concert and contest.
Duration: 6' 30' Keys: E flat, A flat
Ranges: Trumpet-A; Horn-F; Trombone-G)
SPS15 ($85.00; 15.00; 3.75)
The Tell-Tale Heart
Larry Clark
The Tell-Tale Heart is a programmatic three-movement tone poem based on the classic short story by Edgar Allan Poe. The colorfully scored music makes brilliant use of the medium and is especially adept in the dramatic use of tuned and un-tuned percussion. The mournful final movement features the grandiose return of the main theme from movement one and a truly hair-raising climax. A great piece to tie in with the students' English studies, and introduce the idea of descriptive program music.
Duration: 9'40" Keys: F Minor, A flat, B flat, C, F
Ranges: Trumpet-High B; Horn-G; Trombone-F
SPS14 ($85.00; 17.50; 4.00)
Sonic Fusion
Sean O'Loughlin
A colorful and evocative musical tapestry by composer Sean O'Loughlin, that is rich in imaginative contrasts of sonority and tempo. The slow middle section is melodically distinctive and the lively final part (with verve, quarter note=132) features the irregular meter 7/8 in music that is straightforward, playable and will make this time signature a comfortable experience for young musicians.
Duration: 6'30" Keys: E flat, B flat
Ranges: Trumpet-A; Horn-F; Trombone-F
SPS16 ($75.00; 15.00; 3.75)
Fantasia for a King
Robert Thurston
Brilliantly scored and cleverly constructed, this treatment of the familiar Christmas Carol "Good King Wenceslas" is symphonic in scope and breadth. As usual with Thurston, the harmonies are sophisticated and rhythmic interest is maintained with shifting meters and accents. Every player seems to get a variant of the tune to play and the scoring is expert and witty throughout.
Duration: 4' 20" Keys: E flat, A flat
Range: Trumpet-A; Horn-F; Trombone-G
SPS12 ($75.00; 15.00; 3.75)
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