A TRIBUTE TO GRAINGER - (Performance Time 5:15)

By Percy Grainger / Arranged by Chalon L. Ragsdale

Published by Southern Music Company

This recent edition of English folk songs are arranged in the spirit of Percy Grainger and designed specifically for the average high school concert band. Southern Music and Chalon Ragsdale chose three miniatures that may be approached by any high school concert band: “Country Gardens” (1:25), “Mo Nighean Dubh” (2:05), and “The Gypsy’s Wedding Day” (1:45). The resulting work is an introduction to explore the folk song style of Percy Grainger in a format full of both variety and authenticity.

Instrumental registers are written within a comfortable range while the key centers for all three miniatures are in concert Eflat major. Musical style markings are utilize the traditional Grainger “blue-eyed English” such as “louden” (crescendo), “to the fore!” (fortissimo), etc. Ten percussionists will be needed to cover all of the parts including kettle drums, snare, castanets, tambourine, cymbals, bass drum, bells, vibraphone, and marimba (2). The full value of the arrangement will also realize its full potential with the addition of a double bass (if available).

An impressive text introduction by the arranger includes historical background, rehearsal suggestions and the text from the source folk songs. A TRIBUTE TO GRAINGER is accurate in maintaining the historical perspective and musical style that Granger is best associated with. This work can stand on it’s own as a musical suite, however it can also be viewed as a comfortable introduction to the more advanced works of Grainger for later in the concert season.

It should be no coincidence that the quality of this work may be influenced from the working relationship that Southern Music Company has with Mark Rogers who has edited the definitive versions of a majority of Grainger’s wind band works. An additional work to consider may also be TWO GRAINGER MELODIES arranged by Grainger scholar Joseph Kreines and based on the folk songs: “Six Dukes Went A-Fishin`” and “Early One Morning”. For additional Percy Grainger resources please check out: www.tisl.co.uk/grainger/PAG.htm

By John Philip Sousa / Arranged by Richard E. Thurston

Published by Ludwig Music

This new edition of an early John Philip Sousa march takes it’s name from the trio section which is based on a popular Scottish folk song. Originally written in the late 19th century, BONNIE ANNIE LAURIE is re-arranged from the original to take into account changes of instrumentation while still retaining parts for Eflat clarinet, alto clarinet, and bass clarinet. This 71 measure long (not including repeats and a da capo) march is a typical John Philip Sousa gem that may be new to the ears of your audience and musicians; an edition that should be added to your existing library of Sousa marches. For additional resources you may also be interested in visiting the Sousa Archives for Band Research at www.library.uiuc.edu/sousa/

By Alfredo Javaloyes / Edited by Frederick Fennell

Published by Ludwig Music

Frederick Fennell’s lifetime love of wind band music is carried over to this short but spirited Spanish march by Alfredo Javaloyes (1864-1944). Based on an earlier edition by J. Ord Hume, published over three quarters of a century ago, this new edition returns the energetic feeling of a paso doble quick march (quarter note=132) to the concert stage. The march is 99 measures long without repeats.

For a modern publishing edition this score is unfortunately only available in a condensed version which may be a challenge at times for the conductor during a rehearsal. An excellent recording of EL ABANICO is available from the Dallas Wind Symphony on their compact disk titled “Marches I’ve Missed” recorded July 15, 1998. Order your own copy and decide for yourself by visiting their web site at: www.dws.org