New Concert Band Music From Carl Fischer James Bast, Wall Twp. Middle School, Retired jbast1@verizon.net
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arl Fischer has issued many new titles for bands of all levels. In order to make it easy to understand the following list of music, I have included the descriptions of each grade level of the music as Carl Fischer describes them on their website. Included are the titles of the new pieces for band, composer/arranger, their grade level and the Carl Fischer level designation. All of the pieces have merit if used in the category they are listed under. It is suggested that you listen to the recordings of the selections in which you are interested at the Carl Fischer web site. For example: if you direct a good to excellent high school ensemble, the categories to look at would be the Concert and Symphonic Band listings. You can’t go wrong with the Primer Band listings if you have a group that has just started and you are expected to present a performance. Most Junior High bands would probably use the First-Plus Band through Young Band listings. CF has set up an excellent system to make it easy to select what you need. Primer Band (Grade 1/2, Orange Cover) ° For bands with as little as ten weeks of study ° All pieces use only the first six notes of the Bb scale ° Limited Instrumentation - one of each part, bass line covered by all low brass and low woodwinds ° Alternate parts for Horn that puts them in a better range, Trombone that does not go past 4th position ° Bass Clarinet part is also an optional Euphonium T.C. part ° Clarinet below the break ° Simple rhythms of whole, half, and quarter notes. If eighth notes used, only two repeated ° Active Percussion writing ‘ Timpani is an optional part ° Short pieces - length is a consideration for young embouchures Beginning Band (Grade 1, Blue Cover) ° Instrumentation uses one part for every instrument ° Limited ranges, rhythms, and independence of parts ° Active percussion scoring ° Bass line covered by any low brass or low woodwind instrument First-Plus Band (Grade 1.5 to 2, Gold Cover) ° Instrumentation uses one Flute, two Clarinets, two Trumpets, one Horn, and Trombone/Baritone together Title
° Difficulty ranges from Grades 1.5 to 2 ° Second Clarinet stays below break and break crossing considered for first Clarinet ° Active Percussion scoring ° Bass line covered by multiple instruments Young Band (Grade 2 to 2.5, Red Cover) ° Instrumentation uses one Flute, two Clarinets, two Trumpets, one Horn, and one Tuba ° Difficulty ranges from Grades 2 to 2.5 ° Second Clarinet stays below break ° Active Percussion scoring ° Limited independence of part writing Concert Band (Grade 3 to 3.5, Green Cover) ° Instrumentation uses two Flutes, three Clarinets, three Trumpets, two Horns, and three Trombone parts ° Difficulty ranges from Grades 3 to 3.5 ° Generous cross-cueing of exposed or solo parts ° Use of expanded Percussion writing ° Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing groups Symphonic Band (Grade 4 and Up, Purple Cover) ° Standard concert band instrumentation ° Difficulty within reason for high school groups ° Unusual instruments cross-cued ° Expanded Percussion section, increased instrument options ° Mature pieces of high musical value
Composer/Arranger Grade Level
Achieve Larry Clark Amber Moon Peter Terry Ballet Of The Dinosaur Hatchling Joseph Compello Exemplary Richard H. Summers TEMPO 30 Journey To lllyria Sean O’Loughlin
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Primer Band Primer Band Primer Band Primer Band OCTOBER 2018 Primer Band
