Results
-
Dreams Unseen - Peter Meechan
A number of traumatic global events over the past year have tested humanity. The global pandemic, racism, human rights issues, the discovery of thousands of unmarked Canadian Indigenous children's graves and climate change are testing humans' willingness to listen, hope and seek change. This three-movement work is a journey through silence, resistance and hope.Dreams Unseen begs the question, "Are we listening?"As people around the world endure and cope with significant loss, isolation, uncertainty and fear, Dreams Unseen contemplates the journey through uncertain times and is fraught with the complexities of today. As we continue to endure loss and uncertainty, we must have faith in resilience, goodwill and hope for a brighter future.Jacquie Dawson, August 2021Note from the composerWhen composing Dreams Unseen I was faced with a variety of decisions and complexities. Initially commissioned with the idea of conveying joy and hope as we emerged, or hoped to emerge, from a pandemic, too much happened around us in the world - locally, globally, and personally - that made the initial goal of the piece something that didn't represent so much that I saw.This made the selection of texts particularly difficult.As time passed, the texts originally selected became less and less appropriate to what I wanted to say, and, as the unmarked graves of murdered Indigenous children were uncovered throughout Canada on a daily basis, I felt compelled to move away from joy and the promise of hope to instead write about listening, to put hope in a more fragile, truthful context, to be grateful for those who never gave up, those who stood up in the face of all that was happening - the scientists, the leaders, people we've never met, people we know. It felt that the only way I could say all that I wanted to say as a composer was to write my own words.The first movement, In Silence, I ask us not to just hear, but to listen. It is only once we understand the truth that we can truly begin the process of reconciliation. The second movement, In Resistance, is my amazement at those who stood up in these times of adversity - specifically the scientists who saved our lives and those who continue to fight for what it right in the face of a seemingly impossible situation. I continue to believe that, because of those people, love will win, and lyrically I wanted to pay homage to that; The Beatles "In My Life" and Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech are both referenced.The final movement, In Hope, also takes existing words as an inspiration. The Rodgers and Hammerstein song "You'll Never Walk Alone" has been a song so close to my heart throughout my life, in the good times and difficult times alike. None of these times have been more difficult than losing a friend during the pandemic. His fight with cancer was driven by hope. A wonderful musician and human, he would also turn to "You'll Never Walk Alone" - so I chose this final movement to pay homage to the song, to my dearly missed friend, and to the idea that hope - for a better future, for a win against an almost unstoppable disease, for those whose voice is so often not heard to be listened to, and that Dr. King's words will come true - is everything.Pete Meechan, August 2021With funds from:Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba - Jacquie Dawson, Director of BandsUniversity of Kansas - Paul Popiel, Director of BandsAnd the following commissioning partners:Arizona State University - Jason Caslor, Director of BandsGeorgia State University - Robert Ambrose, Director of BandsMarietta College - Nils Landsberg, Director of BandsNew Mexico State University - Michael Mapp, Director of BandsOregon State University - Erik Leung, Director of BandsThe Desert Winds - Charles Maguire, Artistic DirectorUniversity of Colorado Boulder - Donald McKinney, Director of BandsUniversity of Missouri - Brian Silvey, Director of Bands, and Amy Knopps, Associate Director of BandsUniversity of North Florida - Erin Bodnar, Director of BandsUniversity of Texas - Jerry Junkin, Director of BandsUniversity of Toronto - Gillian Mackay, Director of Winds ConductingValdosta State University - Ben Harper, Director of BandsWright State University - Shelley Jagow, Director of Bands
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
ISS Flyover - Peter Meechan
I.S.S Flyover was written in August 2012, when the International Space Station (I.S.S.) was visible in the sky over my home town of Manchester, UK. This is not an uncommon occurrence (www.heavens-above.com is a useful tool to help you find when the orbit of the I.S.S. passes over), but what was unique about this particular pass was that there would be astronauts carrying out repair work on the outside of the station.The idea that something that seemed to pass so quick in the skies above us juxtaposed with what must have seemed a slow, dangerous journey for the astronaut is what lead me to write this piece.The opening passage is a fast, ostinato driven section; the speed and energy that the I.S.S is perceived from earth. The middle section is desolate and sparse; the astronauts looking down on earth as they slowly orbit around the globe, the loneliness of space. The final section is a return to the original material - this time with even more momentum and drive, provided by the percussion.I.S.S. Flyover was commissioned by a Canadian consortium of: the University of Saskatchewan, Brandon University, the University of Calgary, Harmonie Laval, Memorial University of Newfoundland, the University of Prince Edward Island, the University of Toronto and Anthony Reimer, Calgary, Alberta. The work is dedicated to Darrin Oehlerking who organised the commission consortium.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
Song of Hope (band version) - Peter Meechan
Song of Hope is dedicated to my good friend Ryan Anthony (principal trumpet with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra) and his charity, Cancer Blows - a foundation set up to raise awareness and money to further the research that has helped give their family a hope for a future following Ryan's diagnosis of Multiple MyelomaUpon hearing the middle movement (simply titled "Song") of my cornet concerto, Milestone, Ryan asked me if I could change the end from its current reflective ending to something more uplifting, and to title it Song of Hope, giving it much more meaning than I could have ever imagined.As well as a wind band scoring without soloist, Song of Hope exists with 1, 2 or 3 soloists, accompanied by either wind band, brass band, brass ensemble or symphony orchestra.For my friend Ryan.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
Song of Hope (w/soloist) - Peter Meechan
Song of Hope is dedicated to my good friend Ryan Anthony (principal trumpet with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra) and his charity, Cancer Blows - a foundation set up to raise awareness and money to further the research that has helped give their family a hope for a future following Ryan's diagnosis of Multiple MyelomaUpon hearing the middle movement (simply titled "Song") of my cornet concerto, Milestone, Ryan asked me if I could change the end from its current reflective ending to something more uplifting, and to title it Song of Hope, giving it much more meaning than I could have ever imagined.As well as a wind band scoring without soloist, Song of Hope exists with 1, 2 or 3 soloists, accompanied by either wind band, brass band, brass ensemble or symphony orchestra.For my friend Ryan.Each set comes with the soloist part for 1 soloist. Please download the alternative 2 or 3 soloist parts from the link above.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
Soul Divine - Peter Meechan
From the Gelinas family:"David Gelinas was a grade 10 student at Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. On May 2, 1992, he was tragically killed in a car accident. David was an accomplishedtenor saxophone playerand member of the LeBoldus Concert Band, multiple Jazz Bands and the Regina Lions Junior Band. He dreamt of a future in music at McGill University.In the 25 years since his death, David's family and friends have embraced life, the importance of family, and a love of music. This piece is dedicated to the memory our son, brother, uncle, student, and friend, David Gelinas. Always in our hearts and minds, David's love of music plays on."Chad Huel, Director of Bands at LeBoldus Catholic High School, Regina, Saskatchewan, approached me to write a new work for the school's symphonic band in memory of his friend, David Gelinas. Chad spoke of his friend's love of music and life, the time they spent together, his skills as a tenor saxophonist, and how his life was cut so tragically short.Before writing this piece, I was reading the William Blake poem Auguries of Innocence. Contained in that poem were the following words, which seemed so beautifully poignant and appropriate, and hopefully encapsulates something about grief, as well as celebration of life."Joy & Woe are woven fineA Clothing for the soul divineUnder every grief & pineRuns a joy with silken twine"Soul Divine is dedicated to Chad Huel and the Gelinas family, in memory of David Gelinas.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
Taking the Fifth - Peter Meechan
Written during the Covid-19 pandemic, originally as an adaptable chart, Taking the Fifth takes its title from both the primary interval of the work as well as from a general British expression that when something is outrageous, remarkable, or the worse of its kind that it "takes the biscuit".Given that the piece was written during the Covid-19, and that even more unpredictable news that followed every day during the pandemic, it seemed an apt title!Upbeat, occasionally dark, but always with drive and a sense of fun, Taking the Fifth was the piece that got my creative juices flowing again, having initially found myself pretty lost for inspiration during the early stages of pandemic.Taking the Fifth is dedicated to my dear friend, Robert Ambrose.Peter Meechan 2021Anthony Reimer, Calgary, CanadaBenedictine College - Tom Davoren, Director of BandsBrandon University - Wendy Zander McCallum, Conductor, Symphonic BandBrooklyn Wind Symphony - Jeff W. Ball, Artistic Director & ConductorDordt University - Onsby C. Rose, Director of Instrumental StudiesGeorgia State University - Robert Ambrose, Director of BandsGlobal Bandroom Podcast - Keith Kelly, HostKansas State University - Frank Tracz, Director of BandsUniversity of Kansas - Matthew Smith, Associate Director of BandsUniversity of Regina - Brent Ghiglione, Director of BandsWinona State University - Melanie Brooks, Director of Bands
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£57.00Carried on the Wings of Hope (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Wagner, Douglas E.
Inspired by the poet, Joseph Addison, who's words tell us that the Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. Establishing four-bar phrasing and developing sensitivity to balance, this work makes an excellent introduction to ballad-style playing.Duration: 2:45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£119.99Quarantine (One Village United) (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Doss, Thomas
Like a dark veil, an ominous sense of foreboding takes hold across the world. A looming danger, one previously unknown to mankind, slowly approaches, bringing our daily lives to a grinding halt. A perilous virus gives us no choice other than to stay in our homes, leaving us unable to work in our offices or even visit family and friends. Something that has only been talked about in history books is coming to pass: a pandemic! The invisible danger expands more and more, and we feel paralysed by fear and fright. The distance between us and our fellow human beings increases. At the same time, we start to better understand something crucial: we have time again! People help each other out. Neighbourly assistance and support within one's own family becomes more apparent. We stand by each other. Suddenly we have the time for things that we did not have before. Time for reflection... A new era commences. Finally, hope reappears. We leave our houses, but nothing is quite the same anymore. With renewed strength, people begin to perceive the future in a positive and optimistic way once again. With greater attention and awareness of the here and now, we feel that, despite it all, we can be happy. Duration: 8.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£69.95Aylesbury Dances (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Wiffin, Rob
The suite Aylesbury Dances was commissioned by the Aylesbury Concert Band to mark the occasion of their 25th Anniversary in 2019. Its three movements depict different aspects of Aylesbury: I. Pavane: The Town - Having read something of the town's history and its architecture I decided I wanted to write something ceremonial with the feel of music from Tudor times. Aylesbury was given its charter and borough status in 1554 by Mary Tudor so I took that as my starting point but then added some harmony that moves forward in time. This fits with the town's motto: Semper Prorsum (Always forward) and also with the Band's evolution from Aylesbury Town Band to Aylesbury Community Concert Band to Aylesbury Concert Band. The music can be defined as a pavane, or a cortege. The sense of procession is slightly disturbed by a 'Blue Leanie' moment. The Blue Leanie is an iconic Aylesbury building, an oblique rhombic prism which stands at an angle of 17% inclination. I took a quaver out of the time signature (I know the maths don't work!) to reflect this and added some bluer harmony at that point. This opening movement gives a sense of the grandeur and heritage of Aylesbury town and a chance for my friends from the brass section to warm up! II. Siciliana: Waterside - To balance the outer two movements, the middle movement of the suite has a slow lilting 6/8 rhythm. It is in the style of a Siciliana, a dance form originating in the baroque era. It is a graceful, tender and melancholic dance, cast here in a minor key and featuring the dark voice of the cor anglais. The Siciliana was often linked with pastoral scenes and Aylesbury itself sits amid some beautiful countryside. It may, therefore, seem a bit of a stretch to call this movement 'Waterside', especially as Aylesbury is so far from the sea, but the town has a theatre of that name and that was the genesis for this particular music. There is a statue of Ronnie Barker in the grounds of the Waterside theatre as he started his career in repertory theatre in Aylesbury, so I included a fleeting reference to the theme music of the comedy programme 'Open all Hours'. III. Frolic: Ducks in a Row - It was impossible to write a piece connected with Aylesbury without considering the famous Aylesbury ducks. Duck rearing was a major industry in the town in the 19th century. The white Aylesbury Duck is a symbol of the town, appearing on its coat of arms and in the logo of the Aylesbury Concert Band! This movement is all about trying to get the little darlings in a row so they can sing their 'Duck Chorus' together but they keep on scattering, flying off or swimming away as quickly as they can manage. It's a bit like watching ducks disperse when my dog jumps into the stream after them. Eventually we get more of them in a row - even though they protest. Hidden amongst the ducks is a reference to Erica Miller, saxophonist and chairman of the band, and there's even a veiled reference to a shark in the hope of getting them out of the water. Ducks in a Row is a fun romp bringing this suite of Aylesbury Dances to a suitably celebratory conclusion.- Rob Wiffin.Duration: 9.15
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£72.99Blue and Green Music (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Hazo, Samuel R.
The stunning artwork of Georgia O'Keeffe is no more apparent than in her famous 1921 painting entitled Blue and Green Music. Fittingly commissioned by the Patrick Marsh Middle School in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (O'Keeffe's birthplace), Samuel Hazo does an amazing job of portraying subtle as well as bold colours into musical terms. Based on a single theme that is manipulated and varied throughout, the piece progresses from delicate mallet percussion effects up to climactic impact points for the entire ensemble. O'Keeffe explained her idea that music could be translated into something for the eye, and Mr. Hazo succeeds wonderfully in translating it back into something for the ear!Duration: 4:45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
View Music