Paper Cut - Alex Shapiro

Composer Alex Shapiro's piece Paper Cut is reminiscent of a movie soundtrack to which the musicians can imagine their own dramatic scene. Paper Cut is written to make the players themselves part of the action with choreographed maneuvers that look as compelling as they sound. In fact, the band members don't even play their instruments until halfway into the piece - instead they play paper along with a prerecorded track! The unusual element of paper and the myriad sounds that can emerge from something so simple offers a fresh view of what music-making can be and opens everyone's ears to the sonic possibilities found among everyday objects. Although Paper Cut was composed with middle schoolers in mind, it's also suited to more advanced musicians, since the paper techniques and the skill of playing against a prerecorded track are interesting for all ages. To perform the piece, you'll need an audio system capable of playing the prerecorded audio tracks from a laptop computer via a small digital audio interface connected to an audio mixer. Download information is provided in the printed piece. A free downloadable interdisciplinary curriculum for teaching Paper Cut is also available for download at www.BandQuest.org. Learn more on YouTube!. Bandquest, an exciting series of new music and accompanying curricula for band, is a program published by the American Composers Forum. The series was started as a response to feedback from music educators that there is a pressing need for new, fresh band music. The heart of this program is new works written by a diverse group of leading American composers who have created challenging pieces that are a true departure from standard middle school repertoire. Every BandQuest project includes a residency component in which the composer works collaboratively with a middle school as they create their new piece.Many BandQuest pieces are accompanied by an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to assist students as they learn the music and to integrate each piece with non-music studies. Visit www.bandquest.org to learn more about this innovative series, and email [email protected] to request a free downloadable audio catalog.

Papillon - Jerry Goldsmith

Paprika - Ted Barclay

Papyrus - Thomas Doss

The history of paper ranges over more than five thousand years: likely starting around 3500 BC in old Egypt with the use of papyrus. The oldest findings of written paper date from 2700 BC. In China, the first production of paper took place in the year 105 AD. The Arabs acquired their knowledge of the art of making paper around 750 AD, thanks to Chinese prisoners of war. Around the same time, the Celtic Ogham script was created in Ireland and carved into stones or trees. In Europe, the first paper mill was not put into operation until the 12th century! No matter how different the production methods and its historical use, paper was always a way to pass on wisdom, art and knowledge. Even today, in the age of digitalisation, paper still has a somewhat 'sacred' image. With Papyrus, Thomas Doss has written a wonderful composition in which the history of paper is reflected, and listeners can very much hear the various periods of this history represented throughout the piece.

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Paquito Chocolatero - Gustavo Falco Pascual

Parable - Elliot Del Borgo

Parable for Band - Vincent Persichetti

Parade

Parade - Bernard Rittiner

Parade - David Gorham

This sure winner is perfect for your beginners first concert. The ranges and rhythms have been well adjusted for young players while still keeping the festive and bright style throughout. The wind parts are well doubled and tuneful for ease in learning, and the brisk percussion parts are varied and fun to play.