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Three French Carols – Saxophone Quartet
These three contrasting carols, skillfully arranged, provide a continental touch to your holiday concert.
Composer: Bill Reichenbach
Instrumentation: 2 Alto, 1 Tenor & 1 Baritone
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:10 / 10 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: Fm – Ab (Concert) -
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day – Saxophone Quartet
This traditional English carol first appeared in 1833, but it likely much older. Its origin is most likely in the medieval mystery play, which represented the Bible stories as tableaux with accompanying antiphonal songs. Many composers have arranged this traditional tune, including Gustav Holst and Igor Stravinsky.
Composer: Bill Reichenbach
Instrumentation: 2 Alto, 1 Tenor & 1 Baritone
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:10 / 20 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: Db – Eb (no key sig) -
Tuba & 12 – Mixed Large Ensemble
Tuba & 12 was inspired by a Bedouin proverb that states: “While the words are yet unspoken, you are master of them; when once they are spoken, they are master of you.”
Proverbs, in general, state a general piece of advice. This piece assumed that words were spoken, resulting in tension and an apology. Relationships, the first movement, has brass vs. woodwinds, tonality vs. dissonance, duples vs. triplets, et al. as well as the synergy and cooperation among all. Unspoken Words is the second movement and the dissonant opening theme in the piccolo and flute is presented three times. The third movement is Resolution. Over a constant low pedal G, the horn ostinato adds tranquility as all the themes from the first two movements return in fragmented form, before all is finally resolved.
Although tuba has top billing in the title, each instrument is equally important.
The sample score shows the first page of each of the three movements. The complete recording is available for free.
Composer: Anne McGinty
Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute, 2 Clarinets, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, 2 Trumpets, 2 Horns, 2 Trombones & Tuba
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 11:00 / 75 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A -
We Three Kings – Saxophone Quartet
We Three Kings was written in 1857 by John Henry Hopkins. He wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. This carol is one of the world’s favorites and one of the most played. This upbeat arrangement will have your audience tapping their toes!
Composer: Steve Holtman
Instrumentation: 2 Alto, 1 Tenor & 1 Baritone
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 2:30 / 14 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: Concert Bb minor
