Grade 5

GRADE 5

Festival Overture on the Star-Spangled Banner - Dudley Buck/transc. Kennedy

This exciting overture is full of ingenious counterpoint, melodic and harmonic development, and great fun to perform. Dudley Buck (1839-1909) was a noted American composer and organist and also the organ instructor at Yale of a young student named Charles Ives. This transcription by Tom Kennedy is meticulously based on the 1879 corrected orchestral score from the Fleischer Collection at the Philadelphia Library. Very novel and exciting music.

Duration: 7' Score & Parts $100. Extra score $13.

“Tom Kennedy’s transcription is a gourmet entree. ... this fine modern transcription reflects the intersection of histories that is the contemporary band world.”

~ Thomas Duffy, Yale University

Fields - James Syler

A one movement dark adagio featuring off-stage Flugelhorn and percussion. Uses asynchronous events and layers of sound to create an Ivesian numinous sound world. Commissioned by the Air Force Band of Flight, Dayton, OH. Also available for orchestra. Unique sounds are created by dividing the ensemble into sections and separating them spatially on and off stage. Innovative and dramatic.

Duration: 11' Parts on Rental $300. Score for Sale $25.

"Syler's innovative writing reflects a dramatic complexity and subtleness rarely experienced in compositions for this medium.

~ Richard Johnson, Conductor

"A provacative piece that will stir the emotions of both the ensemble and the audience.

~ Lt. Col. Richard Shelton, Conductor Emeritus, United States Air Force Band of Flight

Gearbox - James Syler New!

An energetic, brassy and lyrical concert-like work that evokes repetitive mechanical sounds and the singing lines that emerge out of them. Develops a simple motive through canon, repetition, counterpoint and lyricism. This version for wind ensemble is a transcription from the original orchestral score. Originally commissioned and premiered by the San Antonio Symphony, San Antonio, Texas in 2009, James Judd, conducting. In memory of my father Robert Syler (1933-2007) - a lover of cars, driving and all things mechanical.

Duration: 8' Score & Parts for Sale $125 Extra Score 25.

“The brassy fanfare at the beginning and end are framing well thought ideas and concepts that challenged our ensemble and thrilled the audience My student musicians enjoyed the composition and I enjoyed learning from this exciting composition.”
~ Donald Miller, Conductor, University of Texas - San Antonio

"His orchestral work entitled 'Gearbox' is a brilliant showpiece that surges with energy from beginning to end. Throughout the piece, his gift of lyricism within a dramatic framework is apparent to all who listen."

~ Craig Doolin, San Antonio Symphony Program Notes

"The world premiere of 'Gearbox' for orchestra was a pleasant surprise ... Syler's composition thrilled the audience with a brassy ride in a well-tuned machine."

~ David Hendricks, San Antonio Express News

The Hound of Heaven - James Syler

~ Winner of the 1993 National Band Association Award

~ Winner of the 1993 Arnald Gabriel Award

1st movement

2nd movement

3rd movement

4th movement

5th movement

6th movement

A program symphony in six movements based on the poem of the same name by British poet Francis Thompson. Features a solo antiphonal trumpet and an eclectic use of style to emphasize the poem's drama. Minimalism, 12-tone writing, post-romanticism, tonality and atonality exist side by side and are held together by the works melodic throughline. An extended serious work for mature ensembles.

Duration: 19' Parts on Rental $400. Score for Sale $50.

Click here to hear actor Richard Burton's reading of "The Hound of Heaven"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhowUaL06jk

"... a masterfully crafted work by this gifted young composer. It is challenging and destined to enrich the contemporary wind band repertoire..."

~ Col. Arnald Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus, United States Air Force Band

"Using a variety of styles the composer has created a work that is beautifully expressive and dramatic."

~ Frank Battisti, Conductor Emeritus, New England Conservatory of Music

"... a great example of contemporary wind literature. ... displays an excellent concept of orchestration and texture to communicate musical ideas. The programmatic effect of the composition is breathtaking..."

~ Harlan Parker, Conductor, Peabody Conservatory of Music

O Magnum Mysterium for Soprano and Wind Ensemble - James Syler

A transcription for wind ensemble and solo soprano of the composers choral work. Based on the ancient Christmas day text, it attempts to transcend time and space by juxtaposing the birth and death of Christ within a one movement form. Dramatic music that simmers.

Duration: 12' Parts on Rental $250. Score for Sale $25.

" I happened upon James Syler's 'O Magnum Mysterium' and I was not disappointed, nor was the audience. More than one listener told me they found it to be their favorite piece on the program. The piece is breathtakingly dramatic without being overbearing."

~ Thomas Hunt, Conductor, Ohio Northern University

Tattoo - James Syler

Built on the techniques of minimalism, this work separates the timbre and color of the woodwind and brass choirs. The woodwinds begin by playing repeated fragments that create a shifting contrapuntal texture along a steady pulse. The brass are divided into stage-right and stage-left choirs and play out-of time with the woodwinds. As the music develops and the energy builds they come together to drive the music to its climax. Can be performed with 2 conductors. Commissioned in 2005 by a consortium of 20 universities.

Duration: 8' Score & Parts for Sale $100. Extra Score 12.

"James Syler has written an ingenious and fascinating minimalist work... This is a great work to introduce your players to the aleatoric world of Steve Reich and his colleagues. Highly recommended

~ Tim Reynish, Conductor Emeritus, Royal Northern College of Music, England

BALLERBACH

Music for Band and Wind Ensemble