By Antonin Dvorak / Transcribed by Erik Leidzen

Published by G & M Brand British Music Publishers

Catalog #10222 (score and parts)

As Dvorak visited the Czech-speaking community of Spillville, Iowa in the 1890’s he composed an arrangement of a popular Stephen Foster tune that soon took on a life of it’s own. Written for the Summer School of Spillville, a limited orchestra, it was later arranged for concert band by Erik Leidzen by the request of Edwin Franko Goldman in 1942. The result is a strikingly straightforward folk song melody reconstituted by a master composer of orchestral music. The short 32 measure arrangement is written in common time in the key of Eflat major. This is an easier work that would be terrific for a 6th grade concert band or even as a warm-up piece for an advanced high school ensemble.

Scoring is standard including 2 flutes, 2 oboes, clarinet choir, bassoon, saxophone choir, 3 trumpets (in place of the expected British cornet parts), 4 horns, 3 trombones, euphonium, tuba, string bass and timpani/aux percussion. The string bass doubles the tuba part throughout. There are also numerous cross-cues written in same key/register instruments.

G & M Brand also has a very creative way of organizing their available repertoire by grade level with a detailed chart on their sample compact disk that outlines which parts are essential or non-essential. The easier works have many nonessential parts (clearly marked in the charts) while the more challenging parts have few. This is one of the rare templates organized by instrumentation; a possible tool to assist every conductor in building a remedy to the problem of incorrect instrumentation.

By Leo Delibes / Arranged by Geoffrey Brand

Published by G & M Brand British Music Publishers

Catalog #10226 (score and parts)

The "Monty Python" styled British humor we know and love collides head-first with the ballet music of French composer Leo Delibes (1836-1891) to create this new arrangement for concert band. This 2/4 dance is drawn from the ballet "Sylvia" and is written in ABA form with the A sections in the key of Eflat major and the B section in the key of Aflat major. Rehearsal will most likely center on the need to align the ensemble of the "motor" accompaniment instruments throughout the many rubato and accelerando phrase markings.

The real beauty and simplicity of the arrangement is in the opportunity to pull and push melodic lines within the framework of an entertaining dance. Instrumentation is very similar to the "Old Folks Home" except for the lack of any percussion parts. In addition to phrasing the matching and coordination of articulations will also be very important to the experienced conductor. The overall goal being the recreation of the string plucking sound from the articulations of the wind band. Regardless, this short, 1.50 long (54 measures!) miniature would be another perfect addition as an encore to a successful concert or a wonderful way to show off the technique of your ensemble (and have a lot of fun doing so at the same time). NOTE: Recordings of both works are available on their promotional compact disk Vol 4 (GMB 9899PR).