Distant Castles

Distant Hymns - Greg Sanders

Distant Hymns is the third movement from the composer's work Dreams and Faith (The Solomon Valley Anthology). The American Composers Alliance commissioned the work for their Continental Harmony Project. In the late 1880s and early 1900s, many of the inhabitants of the Solomon River area in northern Kansas meticulously documented their lives in the vast expanse of the Kansas prairie in writings in their personal diaries. Several writers recorded an unusual phenomenon where the wind often carried sounds over the open prairie and fields with no visible sound source. An example of this display was sometimes the presence of music, often church hymns, carried with the wind from assumed distant churches that were frequently not there. The melodies could be heard constantly changing in volume and sound as the winds continuously changed directions. Distant Hymns is a musical representation of this experience, where a simple hymn tune is handed to and integrated between different groups of instruments. Ebbing frequently, the music varies in loudness and softness as the melody moves freely upon the wind.

Distant Journey - Paul Lavender

Explorer Level (correlates with Book 1, p. 11) Using brash open harmonies and bold tutti rhythms, Paul has created a powerful-sounding work for beginners to sink their teeth into. Using only quarter and half notes, this is sureto sound great with only a few rehearsals. Dur: 1:40

Distant Mirrors - William Ballenger

This stylish, colorful work opens quietly with solo clarinet and crystal clear mallet highlights reminiscent of a lyrical English folksong. The decidedly English flavor is maintained as sections of the band gradually join in, changing the character of the piece to a rollicking dance. Easily playable, with active percussion and evocative melodic lines, this is indeed a musical reflection on our cultural heritage.

  View Music

Distant Thunder - Steve Parsons

Distant Thunder depicts the ever-changing world of a rainforest, with sparkling textures glistening like rainwater on leaves giving way to the fierce rumble of a storm. This highly dramatic work is written to showcase the percussion section, using energetic, syncopated rhythms and simple mixed meter patterns. Students will love playing Distant Thunder!

  View Music

Distant Thunder of the Sacred Forest - Michael Sweeney

This amazing work opens with the sounds of distant villages as their drumming echoes through the African rain forests (or school gymnasium). As the players return to their normal seats in the band, the various elements of this composition gradually come together in a joyous unified celebration. Thoroughly researched to include authentic African patterns, Michael Sweeney has created a stunningly effective work that is playable by young ensembles. Includes performance and program notes on how to make your own percussion instruments and involve other departments in your school. Not just a piece of music...this is an event! Dur: 4:45

District of Columbia - G. Dixon

  View Music

Dites-Moi Pourquoi - Paul Boistelle

Diva (Ebben...Ne andr lontano) - Alfredo Catalani

Divama