SKU: CF.CPS243

ISBN 9781491158500. UPC: 680160917105. 9 x 12 inches.

This setting of The First Noel begins with a percussion intro and dissonant chords that lead to a beautiful flute duet. The melody is freely adapted and at times, outright changed, to give this arrangement a very different sound. Using rhythmic motives, tone clusters, altered melodies and all the sounds available for a concert band, the piece takes the audience on a journey that leads to a statement of the original tune at m. 118. Everyone gets the melody at some point. After a chorale-like section, the composition returns to the fast and upbeat sounds of the beginning. Your musicians and audience will love this unique version of this old-time favorite. When performing this piece, start dark and mysterious and let the sounds crescendo through the introduction all the way to m. 21, the first statement of the hymn. Make sure you keep the tempo moving so the arrangement does not lose excitement. Keep the flute duet, and later the trumpet duet, nice and light. At m. 118, play a little slower and in a standard chorale style, being careful to let the flute and oboe voices be heard. Let the low voices have the reins at m. 126 as they play the melody. Pick the tempo back up to the original tempo at m. 145 and push to the end. The main thing is to match articulation throughout the band--at the beginning and at the end, think light accents and separation, and at the chorale section at m. 118, more legato. Keeping everyone on the same page with articulation will be the key to making a great performance.
This setting of The First Noel begins with a percussion intro and dissonant chords that lead to a beautiful flute duet. The melody is freely adapted and at times, outright changed, to give this arrangement a very different sound. Using rhythmic motives, tone clusters, altered melodies and all the sounds available for a concert band, the piece takes the audience on a journey that leads to a statement of the original tune at m. 118. Everyone gets the melody at some point. After a chorale-like section, the composition returns to the fast and upbeat sounds of the beginning. Your musicians and audience will love this unique version of this old-time favorite.When performing this piece, start dark and mysterious and let the sounds crescendo through the introduction all the way to m. 21, the first statement of the hymn. Make sure you keep the tempo moving so the arrangement does not lose excitement. Keep the flute duet, and later the trumpet duet,nice and light. At m. 118, play a little slower and in a standard chorale style, being careful to let the flute and oboe voices be heard. Let the low voices have the reins at m. 126 as they play the melody. Pick the tempo back up to the original tempo at m. 145 and push to the end. The main thing is to matcharticulation throughout the band--at the beginning and at the end, think light accents and separation, and at the chorale section at m. 118, more legato. Keeping everyone on the same page with articulation will be the key to making a great performance.