Julia McCabe

9-12-19
Wind Band Literature Review

Morning Madness ​(1998)

By: Larry Clark (b. 1963)
Alfred Music Co, $65.00
Novelty Piece, ~3:52
Summary:
The music of ​Morning Madness​ works well for high school students. Students learn some of the
most popular classical music with this medley, and the novelty features add to the fun for
everyone. Sections are exposed during the piece, so it creates responsibility amongst players.
Great for freshmen or sophomores.

Kris Kringle’s Jingle​ (1994)

By: Jerry Williams (d. 2001)
C.L. Barnhouse Company, $48.00
March, ~2 minutes
Summary:
Kris Kringle’s Jingle​ is a great add to the winter concert lineup. Many holiday tunes are not in
cut time, so Williams created a march for the season. The melody trades off through all of the
sections, so it gives each person the chance to shine. The percussion features toward the end
make for a fun holiday party.

Unraveling ​(2006)
By: Andrew Boysen, Jr. (1968)
Neil A. Kjos, $65.00
Fugue, ~3 minutes
Summary:
Boysen took a short melody and decided to pass it across the band. ​Unraveling​ creates
excitement and power, but is not too difficult. All sections have a shot for melody, creating fun
for the ensemble.

To Dance in the Secret Garden​ (year not public)

By: Robert W. Smith (b. 1958)
Alfred Music Co., $70.00
Opener, ~6 minutes
Summary:
The beautiful repetition and form of ​To Dance in the Secret Garden ​makes it easy to rehearse!
Sections switch parts on and off with minimalistic ideals and scalar patterns. The solo lines for
the horn and oboe are unlike anything else in the piece, it’s a great challenging work for high
schoolers. (Fun fact - it has since been made into a three part marching band show!!)

Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo ​(1963)

By: Malcom Arnold (1921-2006)
JW Pepper, $115.00
Multi-Movement, ~7 minutes
Mvt I. - Prelude
Mvt II. - Siciliano
Mvt. III. - Rondo
Summary:
For high schoolers, this is a great first or second multi-movement piece. Each movement is in a
different style, but also each movement is in ABACA form! Repetition is good for the younger
students, and there are solo opportunities in the trumpet and alto saxophones.

Air for Band ​(1966)

By: Frank Erickson (1923-1996)
Bourne Co., $49.95
Ballad
Summary:
Air for Band​ is a staple in band programs around the country. There are a lot of harmonic lines,
perfect for your middle voices. The piece is slow, keeping discipline to not rush the lines and to
emote with the conductor.

Flight of the Thunderbird​ (2015)

By: Richard Saucedo (b. 1957)
Hal Leonard, $55
Closer
Summary:
Although described as a Grade 2 work, the piece is extremely challenging, especially in the alto
saxophone solo. This piece gives the woodwinds their flourishes and trills, the brass their
powerful lines, and a lot of great chord progressions. A great closer to your concert.

Shortcut Home​ (2003)

By: Dana Wilson (b. 1946)
Boosey and Hawks, $75.00
Opener, ~3 minutes
Summary:
This piece gives each section a moment of spotlight. There are jazz interludes, scalar patterns,
and syncopated rhythms. The song always goes back “home” to C-major, so students will learn
to work with modes and other scales.

The Blues Brothers Revue ​(2003)

Arrangement by: Jay Bocook (b. 1953)
Hal Leonard, $70.00
Medley, ~4:35
Summary:
With the fun styles and key changes, ​The Blues Brothers Revue​ is fun for all ages. There are
syncopated rhythms occurring under melodies that can be challenging, but doable.

Encanto​ (1989)
By: Robert W. Smith (1958)
JW Pepper, $70.00
Fanfare/Ballad, ~5 minutes
Summary:
With contrasting styles, this work is great for all musicians. This is also one of “those” Smith
pieces that many musicians play, so it’s great for their own personal repertoire. Horn lines are
awesome and not too difficult.