New OMEA Required Concert Band Preview #5 – Junior High Class A Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Our first preview of the new required pieces on the OMEA junior high/middle school concert band lists features the new Class A titles. You can view and listen to the complete OMEA required concert band lists by clicking on the OMEA Required Music Lists option on our concert band webpage, and selecting the list you wish to view. We hope you find this preview to be useful, and look forward to helping you plan a successful contest program.
New OMEA Junior High Class A Required Selections
Emblazon – Sean O’Loughlin
This is definitely not your typical concert overture, as evidenced by its tender, soulful beginning, gently introducing themes that recur throughout. The work deftly transitions back and forth between vibrant, energetic scherzos punctuated by powerful percussion, and reflective, emotional lyric stretches that evoke quiet memories. An exceptional experience in variations & contrasts.
First We Dream – Erik Morales
Besides its non-stop energy and endless array of fresh effects, the most impressive aspect of this delightful, boisterous romp is its dazzling use of percussion. Thrilling yet very playable, it swoops and soars through an ever-changing, always refreshing assortment of tone color & rhythmic variations on the wings of charmingly tuneful melodies. Clearly outside the mold of the ordinary – and who doesn’t want happy percussionists?
Grand Old Duke of York – Pierre La Plante
A charming symphonic march based on an 18th century nursery rhyme and folk tune – probably a parody of British nobility. A happy regimental tune marches through several jolly transformations before the duke and his men stride off into the distance. Great fun!
Morris Dance Tunes – Gustav Holst/arr. Douglas Wagner
Introduce your students to the joy of playing Holst with these four spirited dance tunes. Douglas Wagner includes a brief introduction to each that also serves as interludes for this through-composed work.
All of these titles can be ordered via Stantons.com, or by phone (1-800-426-8742). Don’t forget to order your judges’ scores – ordering now can save you stress come contest time (avoid them being out-of-stock, or worse, temporarily out-of-print). Keep following the Stanton’s blog for our remaining concert band previews.