SmartMusic
These selections are available in SmartMusic
Alfred Publications (Grade 4): Click to hear
The powerful, exciting piece opens atmospherically in tranquil beauty - like a serene lake, a calm sea, or an eerie underwater scene. Shortly, however, the piece bursts into spirited 6/8 material that suggests either water creature or craft moving fast and playfully through the waves. Alfred Concert Band Series, a 2014 JW Pepper Editors Choice, reviewed enthusiastically in The Instrumentalist (Oct. 2014). Available in SmartMusic.
Wingert-Jones (Grade 4): Click to hear
This musical portrayal of the vivid mechanical imagery and scenic beauty in Theodore Roethke's poem about a late night train ride was commissioned by the Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association (MICCA). A 2011 J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice." Available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 3): Click to see & hear
Take your ensemble and audience on a musical trip back in time to the futuristic vision of steampunk! Enter the world of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and others whose fascinating, limitless view of the future - from a Victorian vantage point - presented all sorts of fanciful contraptions: forward-looking modes of transportation, time travel, weaponry and more! Two themes alternate, one conveying the wonder of these futuristic marvels (and the mysterious laboratoriums where they are hatched). A second raucous, energetic theme portrays the steam, gears, sprockets, and pulleys mechanically powering them. This Young Symphonic Series piece is a 2019 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice; performed at the 2019 Midwest Clinic, and is available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 3): Click to hear
Light Up the Sky reflects the thrill and excitement of a dazzling fireworks display. Contributing to the sonic spectacle are lively syncopated rhythms, mixed meter, and energetic, colorful (and at times explosive!) percussion. Light Up the Sky was composed for the South Hunterdon Regional High School Concert Band, Mr. Gabe Stephens, director (Lambertville, New Jersey). Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA sit opposite one another on the Delaware River just north of Philadelphia and are older, but beautifully-restored towns that attract tourists with their artisan eateries, upscale shops, small performance venues, and bed and breakfast inns. A summer highlight for these neighboring communities is “Friday Night Fireworks.” As the sun sets on the picturesque Delaware River, members of both communities come together to see the fireworks (launched from a barge out on the river) illuminate the night sky. Available in SmartMusic!
Alfred Publications (Grade 2): Click to hear
Der Erlkonig, or "The Elf King," is based on Johann Goethe's late 18th-century poem of the same name in which a father and his young son ride home on horseback one dark and eerie night. Alfred Challenger Series, a JW Pepper 2015 Editors Choice, named to the 2015 Bandworld Top 100 listing, and available in SmartMusic.
Wingert-Jones (Grade 2): Click to hear
Playing the dreidl game at Hanukkah can be more than a game - it can be an adventure! That is the premise of this epic, rhythmically charged setting for young band of the beloved Hanukkah tune, "S'vivon" (The Dreidl). Named a 2014 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice, and available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 2): Click to hear
The Greek hero, Hercules, was sentenced by the Gods to endure 12 seemingly impossible "labors" in order to redeem himself. Hercules vs. the Hydra portrays the second of these tests, his battle with a nine-headed water serpent with deadly venom and the ability to grow back two heads for every one cut off! This Alfred Challenger Series piece was a 2013 J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice," included on the 2016-17 Ohio Bandmasters Required Music List, and is available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5-2): Click to hear
Part of Alfred Music's NEW FLEX INSTRUMENTATION Series! Works for ANY combination of 4 instruments. FREE, downloadable PERCUSSION TRACK facilitates remote learning and virtual ensembles. A moderate rock feel, various percussion, and gritty, somewhat dissonant harmonies combine to portray the sound of industry: work gangs laboring with machinery whirring, clanging, grinding, and banging. This Alfred Challenger Series piece was named a 2020 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice! Available in SmartMusic Fall 2020.
Alfred Publications (Grade 2.5): Click to See & Hear
Terracotta Warriors was inspired by the extraordinary "spirit army" of clay statues - numbering more than 6,000 - created in the third century B.C. for the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, first emperor of China. This astounding array of armed sculptures was placed in the emperor's tomb, along with hundreds of terracotta horses and chariots, to protect the emperor in the afterlife. The music begins with a brief, plaintive folk chant summoning the army from their centuries-old sleep. The faithful warriors respond, coming to life to protect their emperor with musical representations of uniform marching and weapons display. This Alfred Young Symphonic series piece is a 2017 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice, chosen for the 2017 Bandworld Top 100 listing, is on several state lists, and was performed at the 2019 Midwest Clinic. Available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1-1.5): Click to See & Hear
The Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslas," dates back to the 13th century and tells the story of a kind king who goes out in the severe cold to give charity to poor folks on December 26, the day after Christmas. Dec. 26 is also known as St. Stephen’s Day, and the familiar Christmas carol was based on the real life Duke of Bohemia, Saint Wenceslas. In this setting, the tune "Good King Wenceslas" appears in a rustic, lively 13th century style. This Alfred Debut series piece is a J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice," and available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5-2): Click to hear
"Desperta ferro!," or "Awake the Iron!" was the battle cry of Medieval Spanish soldiers called the Almogavars. In the dim light of dawn, as they prepared for battle, these fierce soldiers would beat their swords on rocks shouting this phrase. The sparks that flew from the rocks in the eerie light of dawn, together with the soldier's call to arms, would give any enemy pause. Awake the Iron, with its insistent unisons, energetic rhythms, modal themes, and powerful percussive writing, mirrors the ferocious intensity of the medieval battlefield. This Alfred Debut series piece is a J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice," available in SmartMusic, performed at the 2010 Midwest Clinic, included on the 2016-17 Ohio Bandmasters Required Music List, and was selected for the 2010 Bandworld Top 100 list! Available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5): Click to hear
The dictionary defines valor as "boldness or determination in facing great danger; heroic courage." Call to Valor musically invokes both the resolute strength and quiet courage required to face difficulties and the unknown. The piece begins with a brief, animated introduction followed by a bold fanfare theme. A quieter, contrasting section alternates bugle calls with field drum solos, but then builds to the return of the opening material. A perfect fanfare opener or exciting closer for your next concert. This Alfred Challenger series piece is a 2012 J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice," and available in SmartMusic.
Driving Force
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5): Coming Summer 2022
Opening with an energetic eighth note melody driven by an insistent woodblock, this uptempo piece unfolds playfully, gracefully and relentlessly. From first note to last, this exciting piece for young band captures the driving force that gets people out of bed and moving through their work, play or adventure. Throughout, several related themes are developed and passed between all instruments, building to an exuberant climax and musically satisfying conclusion.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5): Click to hear
El Cid is a rewarding work that allows directors to put something different in terms of key and meter before their developing instrumentalists. After an exciting introduction, an infectious Spanish rhythm ostinato (3+3, 2+2+2 in 3/4 time) undergirds the main theme, driving the piece as it builds. Alfred Challenger Series, a 2014 JW Pepper Editors Choice, reviewed enthusiastically in The Instrumentalist (Nov. 2014). Available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1-1.5): Click to hear
Part of Alfred Music's NEW FLEX INSTRUMENTATION Series! Works for ANY combination of 4 instruments. FREE, downloadable PERCUSSION TRACK facilitates remote learning and virtual ensembles. Escape from Thunder Mountain takes you, musically, on a harrowing, life and death thrill ride that ends dramatically in a thunderous explosion of sound! Correlates to Book 1, Level 6 of Sound Innovations for Concert Band, and a 2020 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice! Available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5): Click to See & Hear
The spooky sounds of haunted houses and Halloween come to life in this fun piece for young band. Whether you program it in the fall, winter, or spring it's sure to be a favorite of students and audience alike. The piece gives your low brass and woodwinds some prominent melodic material, makes clever use of novel percussion, and even includes a flute section "scream". This Alfred Debut series piece is a J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice and is one of my most-performed pieces for young band! Available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1-1.5): Click to See & Hear
Alfred's catalog says, "This new work musically conveys both reflection and joy with colorful scoring and expressive writing." I'm very proud of the orchestration's symphonic effect for this age player. This Alfred Debut series piece is a J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice, available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1-1.5): Click to See & Hear
Heavy Metal has the right elements to get young players excited about band! With it's driving rock beat, catchy "hook," and infectious power chord rhythm, your students will beg you to rehearse it and be excited about performing it in concert. And what's more, this little gem features your band's own "heavy metal" section, the low brass, with prominent yet playable parts (doubled for confidence). This Alfred Debut series piece is a J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice, available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1-1.5): Click to hear
This pop-beat arrangement of the Beethoven "Ode to Joy" theme alternates bright, happy tutti passages with features for various sections. Upbeat and joyful from start to finish, this Alfred Debut Series piece was named a J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice and is available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade .5 - 1): Click to hear
Cooked up with instruments found in the kitchen, Kitchen Musicians is a lively feature for members of the percussion section performing as soloists on pots and pans. The pot and pan part is fun and showy, yet so easy-to-play you could invite special, non-musician guests (cafeteria workers, parents, teachers or administrators) to join as soloists. To lend a theatrical flair, dress your Kitchen Musician percussionists as chefs for the performance. Kitchen Musicians serves up the perfect recipe for a tasty, entertaining musical treat! Kitchen Musicians correlates to Book 1, Level 3 of Sound Innovations for Concert Band, and available in SmartMusic!
Wingert-Jones (Grade 1): Click to hear
This arrangement, by Mark Syslo and Scott Watson, employs themes from Leon Jessel's popular "Parade of the Tin/Wooden Soldiers" in an approachable setting for young band. Named a 2014 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice, and available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1): Click to hear
Powder your wig, polish your shoes, and get ready to enter the court of an 18th-century monarch with this bright, majestic concert work! After a brief fanfare introduction, the regal theme featuring brass is offset by several lighter episodes featuring the woodwinds. Alfred Debut Series. A 2013 J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice." Available in SmartMusic.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5): Click to hear
Tu Ungane (Swahili, pronounced TOO une-GAH-nay) means "Let's join together" and refers both to musicians coming together to play, as well as African and Western styles merging musically. Western musical styles such as Gospel, Blues, and Jazz owe much to African influence. African music has been influenced by the West as well, fusing British military and brass band music, along with the hymns and songs of missionaries from Europe and the United States, with tribal folk elements. Tu Ungane explores this musical cross-pollination incorporating the Tanzanian folk song "Asali Ya Nyuki" ("Honey of Bees") and original musical material in the style of the British-African fusion. A J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice," available in SmartMusic.
For String Orchestra
Wingert-Jones (Grade 2): Click to hear
The Days and Knights of Arundel (with timpani) paints a musical portrait of one of the most famous medieval castles in England. A stately opening theme, in 5/4, represents Arundel's Gothic facade and the noblemen and knights who have passed through her gates. The contrasting material of the middle section (m. 52) suggest the ghosts that legend says haunt Arundel. A transition back to a heightened version of the opening theme returns the focus to Arundel's grandeur for a dramatic close. Available in SmartMusic.