GRADE 6
Minton's Playhouse for Sax Quartet and Wind Ensemble - James Syler
A modern one movement concerto grosso for sax quartet and wind ensemble that explores the connection between the Baroque and bebop jazz. Inspired by the famous 1940's New York jazz club in a "third stream" type setting. No improvisation required. Also available for orchestra. Commissioned by the United States Air Force Band, Washington, DC.
Duration: 10' Parts on Rental $300. Score for Sale $25.
“What a romp! Any serious conductor who’s also a true lover of bebop should know about ‘Minton’s Playhouse’. It’s eclectic, but great fun - artistically conceived and skillfully orchestrated.”
~ Stephen Squires, Conductor, Chicago College of the Performing Arts
Storyville - James Syler
A one movement "third stream" type symphonic poem. Early jazz styles and contemporary devices are used in a modern setting to intensify the realities of Storyville - the infamous New Orleans prostitution district. No improvisation required. The work is dramatic with a sense of tragedy and spaciousness. Commissioned by a consortium of 9 universities.
Duration: 17' Parts on Rental $350. Score for Sale $30.
"Wonderful music, great art, very poignant. We loved doing it."
~ William Hochkeppel, Director of Bands, University of Louisiana - Lafayette
Symphony No. 1 "Blue" for Soprano, Chorus and Wind Ensemble - James Syler
1st movement (Performance by the University of Miami Wind Ensemble and Chorus, Gary Green, conductor, Maryann Kyle, Soprano)
2nd movement
3rd movement
4th movement
5th movement
A five movement choral symphony for solo soprano, SATB chorus and wind ensemble based on a text by the composer. The narrative text, "Blue", is rooted in the notion of the loss of hope and the process of reconnecting with it. The music is carefully orchestrated to avoid inherent balance problems between winds and voices. Oratorio-like and dramatic in nature. An extended serious work for mature ensembles. Commissioned in 1999 by a consortium of 42 universities.
Duration: 35' Parts on Rental $500. Score for Sale $50
Mississippi Public Radio Interview
(University of Southern Mississippi, Tom Fraschillo, conductor. Broadcast 11/05/2003)
Click here to read the full text to Symphony No. 1 "Blue"
http://ballerbachmusic.com/Documents/BLUE.pdf
“... James Syler’s ‘Symphony No. 1’ ... is a major addition to the wind ensemble repertoire. What immediately strikes the listener about this composition with a title ‘Blue’ is the depth of the text and music and the absence of all of the possible stereotypes that could be associated with such a title.”
~ Leon Bly, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Newsletter, Vol. XV Number 1
Toccata - Charles Marie Widor/arr. Syler
(Performance by the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Donald Hunsberger, conducting)
This famous organ finale by the great French organist-composer Charles Marie Widor (1844-1937) is the end-all in finales. Arranged for standard concert band instrumentation in the original key of F major, it is true to the original in power, virtuosity and brilliance of color. What better medium than the wind band to accentuate the sound of the pipe organ. Challenging, but worth the effort.
Duration: 6' Score & Parts $95. Extra score $13.