The Solitary Dancer
Very popular British composer along with Britten, this piece has such nice melodic material I had to include it on the list One of the first pieces to use "jazzy" elements in the concert band medium, sort of "cheesy" quasi-swing dotted eighth, sixteenth patterns Minimalistic, very exposed playing, serious subject matter (assassination of JFK), difficult to execute the very slow tempo, harp solo Very exposed parts, written for a smaller ensemble, similar to a chamber work, requires very skilled woodwind playes and a good trumpet soloist
The Passing Bell
Very ethereal sounding, again very exposed playing as in Benson's other works on this list, requires advanced ensemble skills such as the ability to maintain the intensity with a slow tempo
Arnold, Malcolm
Four Scottish Dances
Bennett, Robert Russell
Suite of Old American Dances
Benson, Warren
The Leaves are Falling
Bernstein, Leonard
Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs Profanation from Jerimiah Symphony No. 1
Colgrass, Michael
Winds of Nagual
Copland, Aaron
An Outdoor Overture Emblems
Dahl, Ingolf
Sinfonietta for Band
Dello Joio, Norman
Variants on a Medieval Tune
As the title would suggest, this piece combines elements of classical and jazz music; sounds improvisational despite it being written, almost like you would transcribe a jazz solo off a record, important piece in the repertoire especially for clarinet Programmatic work, composer struggle with faith, multi-meter demands on conductor and ensemble Programmatic work, used almost "leitmotifs" between two contrasting characters/themes Open harmonies, interesting contrasting melodic material, intricate rhythmic motives, disjunct melodic lines, needs strong trumpet soloist see notes for Outdoor Overture Orchestration allows for exposed playing, technically challenging at times, tonal work with hints of chromaticism, heavy woodwinds Lyrical, cantabile style, familiar melody that travels through a series of well thought out variations utilizing each section of the band to its fullest
Grainger, Percy
Lincolnshire Posy
Colonial Song
Irish Tune from County Derry
Large-scale multi-movement work (6 mvts), based on set of English folk songs, each a portrait of a folk singer who met with and sang for Grainger. Considered a masterwork for band. Mvt 5 presents dificulty for the conductor. Requires a great deal of musicianship to successfully perform Unlike other Grainger pieces, melodies are original. Several sections approachable by less advanced ensembles. However, there are many sections that are technically intricate. Several melodies have an almost recitative-like style that requires freedom of expression without compromising pulse concerns. All sections have a meaningful contribution Although not highly demanding, this piece has a beatutiful melody that is approachable by ensembles at varying levels…a real crowd pleaser
Second Suite in F
Early piece for band but orchestration sounds almost modern. Requires advanced musicians…melodies are of a soloist nature see above Complex, controlled harmonies; exposed brass harmonies, mature balance must be achieved Important work for high school bands, tonal harmonies scored tutti, rhythmic challenges with changing meters, great for teaching contrasting articulations Great counterpoint, melodies develop masterfully, complex variations of rhythm. Composer of serious merit writing for wind band Very early work for the wind band medium, established an early validity for the medium Very early work for the wind band medium, established an early validity for the medium
Hammersmith
Players must demonstrate control, requires advanced soloists (bassoon, F Horn, flute, tuba), two conrasting themes
Hill Song No. 1 Hill Song No. 2 Gould
West Point Symphony
Hanson, Howard
Chorale and Alleluia
Hindemith, Paul
Symphony in Bb
Holst, Gustav
First Suite in Eb
Husa, Karel
Music for Prague
Suite Francaise
Very contemporary sounding, use of choir requires sensitive balance, exposed parts present intonation concerns, large-scale work in 3 mvts, huge dynamic range, requires advanced musicians Very contemporary sounding, explores different colors that can be found in the wind ensemble, exposed parts, difficult to grasp harmonic concepts require precise intonation Early work for band, gives the band the opportunity to play in a Renaissance style, very logical, lyrical scoring Technically demanding, ensemble must set a dark, somber-like mood, complex/exposed orchestration Challenging to maintain ensemble intensity for a work of over 25 minutes, challenging demands on every section, huge dynamic contrasts that need to be controlled, utilization of church hymns and chorales as source material 5 mvt work, requires skillful playing in contrasting styles, oboe soloist, based on French folk tunes
Serenade No. 10 in B-Flat Trittico
Originally designed for "background music" many Serenades did not survive. The fact that Mozart's did is a testament to its quality Strong use of percussion
Apotheosis of this Earth
Les Couleura Fauves Jacob, Gordon
William Byrd Suite
Maslanka, David
A Child's Garden of Dreams
Symphony No. 4 Milhaud, Daris
Mozart, WA Nelhybel, Vaclav
Persichetti, Vincent
Reed, H. Owen
Very exposed playing, sensitive intonation, unusual use of harmony, extreme ranges
Divertimento for Band Masquerade for Band Symphony No. 6 Psalm for Band La Fiesta Mexicana
Persichetti's works employ a wide stylistic range from extreme diatonic simplicity to complex , contrapuntal atonality. Embraced the medium of the band and saw it as a vehicle for expression sepearate from the orchestra but not subordinate to it
Multi-movement work for band, individual responsibilities high demand
Schmitt, Florent
Dionysiaques
Schoenberg, Arnold Schuman, William
Theme and Variations George Washington Bridge New England Triptych
Schwantner, Joseph
…and the mountains rising nowhere From a Dark Millenium
Large-scale work. Features almost chamber-like playing within the larger ensemble. Extreme range demands Schwantner's first work for band, extremely significant, no real time signature, utilizes unusual elements in a band work such as crystal flutes, singing, and amplified piano
Toccata Marziale
Written in standard notation, complex meter changes, difficult rhythms, extremely contemporart Extreme range, exposed playing, unusual harmonies yet still tonal, "serious" composer writing for the wind band Prolific contemporary composer Early use of multi meter, almost like a theme and variations, important because of old source material…bands don't often get to play in the genre Significant composer of serious music, strong oboe or trumpet needed for exposed solo, rather repetititive so performers must take advantage of nuance in this work Contrapuntal masterpiece for wind band, rhythmic figures predominate the work, brilliant scoring highlights the colors available to the wind ensemble
Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral*
Although technical difficulty is minimal, consistency of tone quality is difficult at this slow tempo. A great exercise in restraint
Recoil Stravinsky, Igor Ticheli, Frank
Symphonies of Wind Instruments Symphony No. 2
Tull, Fisher
Sketches on a Tudor Psalm
Vaughan Williams, Ralph
English Folk Song Suite
Wagner, Richard
For such an early work (1914), it sounds very contemporary, technically challenging, reminiscent of the Firebird (to my knowledge) the only piece Schoenberg wrote for the wind band…not in the 12 tone style. Technically very demanding, piece develops contrapuntally
