Honor, greatness and celebration are images conjured by this new work for band. An energetic opening sets the mood for a solemn and mysterious theme. Melody and countermelody weave an interesting tapestry while the energy continues to build throughout. The result is a piece that your students will want to play over and over.
Attainable by most middle schools and all high school bands, this is a 'must have' for every library. Emotional and passionate, it's right on target.
Feathered Serpent, God of Rain and Thunder, Lord of the Woods (God of Agriculture), and Lady Rainbow (Goddess of Earth and Moon) are deities featured in this portrait of Mayan mythology. Inspired by a recent trip to the Mayan village of Chichen Itza, Legends of the Yucatan is written in four sections, each one descriptive of a different Mayan God. Expanded percussion and exotic rhythms and harmonies are heard throughout.
Alfred Publications
Canadian Folk Trilogy offers a refreshing setting of three popular Canadian Folk songs. Kicking things off is an enjoyable adaptation of “Donkey Riding.” Singing this tune helped sailors to pass the time as they used the donkey engine to load timber onto the decks of ships in Canadian ports. “Inuit Lullaby” slows the pace with a simple but beautiful melody set in three bar phrases. Finally, we conclude with a rollicking version of “I's the B'y" (I’m the Boy), a traditional Newfoundland folk song.
Alfred Publications, Editor's Choice (J.W. Pepper)
Big Raven takes its inspiration from a painting by Canadian artist, Emily Carr. It was commissioned for the official opening of Emily Carr Public School in Oakville, Canada. Haunting forest sounds set the mood for a moving and reflective work.
Alfred Publications, Editor's Choice (J.W. Pepper)
An ominous theme opens this exciting new original work by Vince Gassi. Set in the Dorian mode, Crusade develops with vibrant and dramatic energy, conjuring images of strength, majesty and passion. It continues to build throughout culminating in a powerful, climatic ending.
Alfred Publications, Editor's Choice (J.W. Pepper)
In 1500 B.C. the volcano of Santorin, an island to the north of Crete, exploded with unprecedented violence sending millions of tons of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, producing intense atmospheric shock waves, and generating disastrous tsunamis. It is now believed that this caused the extinction of the great Minoan civilization. This piece was written in the spring of 2004, prior to the recent disaster in December of 2004.
Eighth Note Publications
In the early morning of August 3rd 1492, Christopher Columbus went aboard the Santa Maria and gave the command to unfurl the sails. When the wind caught the sails the three caravels were off and in time they had an uncharted ocean all to themselves. This is a great new programmatic work. All parts are interesting and exciting. A haunting middle section is surrounded by fast sections with driving energy from throughout the ensemble.
Alfred Publications
Follow Crow on his epic journey as he attempts to bring daylight to the people of the far north. Inspired by the Inuit myth “Crow Brings the Daylight” this colorful piece, filled with haunting harmonies and energetic rhythms, was written for and dedicated to the Inuksuk High School Band in Iqaluit, Canada. To read about Crow's journey and other stories by S.E. Schlosser, visit
www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/nunavut1.html.
Alfred Publications
This delightful arrangement of "Ding Dong Merrily on High" is sure to become a seasonal favorite with students and audiences alike. This popular Canadian composer’s joyous harmonies and cheerful rhythms will immediately put you in the Christmas spirit.
Alfred Publications
Commissioned by the 2007 Albemarle County High School Honors Band (Crozet, VA), this piece takes its inspiration from the rich maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay: from colonial lighthouses to Civil War Ironclads, from its vital role in the Underground Railroad to Blackbeard and other real life pirates. Adventure is paramount as swashbuckling themes are developed in the opening and closing sections of this work and beautifully contrasted with the haunting lyrical section reminiscent of "Oh Shenandoah".
Alfred Publications
Canadian composer Vince Gassi takes your young musicians on a voyage of courage and bravery with
Flight of the Intrepid and its driving rhythms and heroic harmonies. A solemn lyrical section with independent melodic lines provides the perfect contrast to the dynamic opening and closing sections of this work. This is an ideal piece for your developing snare drummers, and is an excellent concert or contest selection.
Belwin
Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation Taurus and one of the brightest stars in the night sky. The inspiration for the creation of this work came from the composer's admiration for great science fiction themes of the past. These themes all have similar characteristics which are an integral pa rt of Journey to Aldebaran; a strong melodic contour often consisting of intervals of a perfect 4th or 5th and usually played by the brass, a simple but distinct harmonic progression, a strong rhythmic pulse, and exciting woodwind runs and trills.
12th Century Music
H.M.S. Publications
H.M.S. Publications
Copyright 2007 Vince Gassi
