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Alfred Publications (Grade 1): 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 MakeMusic Cloud.
Also, At the Feast of Stephen FLEX (click to See & Hear) - Written to work for any combination of four instruments/parts, with percussion. Comes with access to FREE online downloadable alternate part PDFs and MP3 Percussion track!
Alfred Publications (Grade 1): Click to See & Hear
This bright, festive fanfare is the perfect concert opener for winter or spring and can lend its jubilant air to any celebration or observance in which your band plays a part. Hopeful and triumphant, this brief fanfare is written well within the ability level of developing players. You'll be able to program this useful gem again and again in a variety of different performance situations. This Alfred Debut series piece is a 2017 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice. Included on the WIBC/American Band College 2024 Bandworld Top 100 list!
Also, Celebratory Fanfare FLEX (click to see & hear) - Written to work for any combination of four instruments/parts, with percussion. Comes with access to FREE online downloadable alternate part PDFs and MP3 Percussion track! A 2024 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice! Included on the WIBC/American Band College 2024 Bandworld Top 100 list!
Alfred Publications (Grade 1): Click to See & Hear
From it's bright, spirited opening to it's majestic conclusion, Come, Rejoice!, invites listeners to celebrate the joy of the season. This festive fanfare based on the traditional carol, "Adeste Fideles," is the perfect opener or closer for your young band's winter concert. Alfred Debut Series.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1): 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 MakeMusic Cloud.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1): Click to see & hear
This lighthearted selection puts a warm musical spin on an activity so many find themselves doing every holiday season - shopping! A “call bell” in the percussion section - the kind you find on the counter of an old-fashioned store or hotel (which can be substituted with Triangle if necessary) mimics the cash register and signals each purchase in this fun, musical shopping trip. Sound Innovations Series.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1): Click to hear
This is a light and airy arrangement of the favorite children's Christmas song with short, one-measure features for each section of the band (Debut Series). J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice."
Alfred Publications (Grade 1): 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 MakeMusic Cloud.
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 MakeMusic Cloud.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1): Click to hear
Old-Fashioned Sleigh Ride paints a warm, nostalgic musical portrait of a one horse, open sleigh ride like those depicted in a "picture print by Currier & Ives." Woven into an easy-going theme are the clip-clop of horse's hooves (temple blocks), the regular ringing of bells on bobtails (sleigh bells), and the occasional whip (slap stick) and horse's whiny (trumpet). This piece is sure to become an instant holiday classic for young bands! Alfred Debut series.
Wingert-Jones (Grades 1-1.5): Visit jwpepper.com
Nine of your favorite Christmas carols arranged in four parts to work for almost any instrument combination, with ample doublings for smaller bands. These are written to be rehearsed and ready to play in about one or two meetings with your young instrumentalists (elementary/middle school). Comes with piano reduction, vocal parts (with words for caroling), and percussion if desired. Includes "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," "Up On the Housetop," "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," "Deck the Halls," "Angels We Have Heard On High," "Joy to the World," "Good King Wenceslas," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" all in easy arrangements for elementary/middle school band students. Suitable for small ensemble, full band, duets, trios, concert selections, neighborhood caroling, family recital, or cheering up the folks at the old-age home :)
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5): Click to see/hear
Pirate Kings from the East reimagines the legendary journey of the Three Kings, musically transporting the action from the desert to the high seas, swapping the traditional caravan of camels with a fearsome tall ship and pirate crew! Bold themes, triple meter sea-shanty rhythms, and exciting percussion all contribute to the high-spirited adventure. At the stirring conclusion of this buccaneer drama, one can almost hear the maritime Magi heartily proclaiming, “We Three Kings of Orient…ARRRGH!” Pirate Kings ... is a 2024 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice, part of Alfred's PerformancePlus+ Series, and available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5): Click to See & Hear
Have the cookies left out on Christmas Eve mysteriously vanished? Does it seem like the nutcracker and toy soldier figurines have moved to different locations by themselves overnight? Are you experiencing strange visions of holiday confections dancing in your head at night? There's only one operative with the right skill set for holiday capers like these: Secret Agent Sugar Plum of the Holiday Sweets Division of WinterPol! This clever arrangement fuses themes from Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" (from The Nutcracker) with classic spy music idioms. Set to a driving rock beat, thematic material is distributed to everyone in the ensemble while limiting and carefully deploying the chromaticism of the original. Alfred Challenger Series.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5-2): Click to See & Hear
"See Amid the Winter's Snow" is perhaps the best-know carol by English organist, composer and teacher, Sir John Goss (1800-1880). The emotional scope of this lovely nativity hymn - from the cold, winter's "dead of night" to the appearing of angels singing in "wondrous light" - is mirrored in the dynamics of the musical setting. See Amid the Winter's Snow - with its quintessentially English melody, flowing inner voices, and sturdy bass lines - has it all and is the perfect "change of pace" piece for a winter program. Alfred Challenger Series.
TRN Music Publisher (Grade 1.5): Click to hear
Silent Night, Holy Night is a dramatic and beautiful arrangement that will help performers and listeners rediscover the "sacred" in this all-too-familiar Christmas carol. Nonetheless, it is technically accessible and is very performable by 2nd (and certainly 3rd) year bands.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5): Click to hear
The alarm clock sounds on a cold winter morning. Youngsters begrudgingly wake and peer outside to find the ground covered with deep snow. Even better, it's going to be a "snow day" off from school! The fun-filled adventure which ensues, replete with sledding, snowmen, forts, and snowball battles is musically portrayed in this delightful, colorfully scored seasonal work for young band. Alfred Challenger Series, coming 2014.
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5): Click to hear
Once on a spooky Christmas eve, as Santa was making deliveries, a fog rolled in and howls rang out, and Santa landed on a "haunted house"! This creative premise leads to a spooky-cool treatment of the Christmas favorite, "Up On the Housetop." The piece includes an optional narrator part (which reveals a surprise ending), and uses "toy" percussion instruments to great effect. This Alfred Challenger series title is a 2011 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice.
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 MakeMusic Cloud.
TRN Music Publisher (Grade 2): Click to hear
Music figures prominently in the rich Christmas traditions of the Moravian church, dating back to the Protestant Reformation in Eastern Europe and established in America during the early 18th century. In most congregations, the hymn "Morning Star" is sung antiphonally with a child soloist as the highlight of the service. The classical simplicity of Morning Star, as well as the antiphonal performance practice associated with it, are captured in this arrangement for young band. A 2016 J.W. Pepper "Editor's Choice" (TRN Music Publisher).
Alfred Publications (Grade 2): Click to hear
This well-crafted arrangement for young band conveys the joy and inspiration of the well-known gospel re-working of the 18th-century hymn, "O Happy Day." A "breakdown" section with clapping, and a gospel-style ending, all add to the fun. Send your audience home with a happy song in their heart with this perfect closer for your program! Alfred Challenger Series.
C. L. Barnhouse (Grade 2): Click to hear
This is bright, happy and evokes the air of excitement all kids feel when they're getting away from school for a break to go "on holiday". It is appropriate for a holiday concert (obviously), but also for a spring concert (since spring break and summer vacation are at hand).
Alfred Publications (Grade 2): Click to hear
This delightful arrangement of Prokofiev's light classic captures the essence of the original in an interesting, yet very playable adaptation for intermediate players. Alfred Young Symphonic series.
Alfred Publications (Grade 3): Click to see & hear
The 14th-century carol, “Personent hodie,” is both mysterious and powerful. On This Day Earth Shall Ring, a festive processional on the ancient melody, explores both aspects. Beginning quietly, the modal tune emerges over a chant drone with rustic, medieval percussion. Before long, the piece takes on the joyous character alluded to in the tune’s most familiar English text setting, “On This Day Earth Shall Ring” (written by composer, Jane Joseph, a student of Gustav Holst). As the work draws to an ebullient close, all the stops are pulled with resounding brass and ringing metallic percussion! Whether used as a striking concert opener or a jubilant final selection, On This Day Earth Shall Ring will add festive élan to your winter/holiday program! This Young Symphonic Series piece is a 2022 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice and is available in MakeMusic Cloud.