SKU: MH.0-931329-76-0

ISBN 9780931329760.

THE STARS ASLEEP, THE BREAK OF DAY is my most instrumentally colorful Grade 1 work and I believe in this area it breaks new ground. Furthermore, the musical content greatly exceeds Grade 1 expectations. Beginning band students have something to study here that presents opportunity for real musical development. Band directors will notice immediately that the scoring does not look like Grade 1 music. The music actually sounds like a Grade 3 work but it is not. The ranges and technical demands are truly only Grade 1, but the variety in the instrumentation is ample. Numerous cues and cross-cues allow less secure bands to rehearse or perform the work. The flexibility of tempo in the first movement presents unique challenges in performance and teaching. The sparkling and dancelike second movement is cinematic in its instrumental colors and pacing, and will be fun to perform. Instrumental sections that are used to being buried in the mix will discover that their roles in band music can be significant. Ensemble instrumentation: 6 Flute 1, 6 Flute 2, 2 Oboe, 2 Bassoon, 6 Bb Clarinet 1, 6 Bb Clarinet 2, 3 Bb Bass Clarinet, 4 Eb Alto Saxophone 1, 4 Eb Alto Saxophone 2, 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone, 2 Eb Baritone Saxophone, 6 Bb Trumpet 1, 6 Bb Trumpet 2, 4 F Horn, 4 Trombone 1, 4 Trombone 2, 4 Euphonium, 2 Euphonium (T.C.), 6 Tuba, 2 Timpani, 2 Percussion 1, 4 Percussion 2, 3 Percussion 3.