NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING, EXCEPT THE FIRST AND LAST SELECTIONS, CAN BE PERFORMED WITH OPTIONAL PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT IN PLACE OF THE BAND.
THE BAND PLAYED ON – (GRADE 4) – NARRATOR with band accompaniment, features humorous commentary introducing every instrument of the concert band (with optional cuts when instruments are not available).
INDEPENDENCE – (GRADE 4) NARRATOR WITH FULL MIXED CHORUS AND BAND ACCOMPANIMENT – Describes the events leading to the creation of the United States, quoting exclusively from the actual written records of the British Parliament, while the CHORUS portrays the increasing fervor of the Colonists leading to the events at Lexington, using only the text of our own Declaration of Independence. A perfect selection for patriotic holidays, such as the Fourth of July!
LIFE SONGS – (GRADE 3) MIXED CHORUS WITH BAND ACCOMPANIMENT – a suite of several delightful poems created by students at Midland (Mich.) High School, yet speaking truths that touch audiences everywhere.
OGDEN NASH SUITE – (GRADE 3) – BARITONE VOICE WITH BAND ACCOMPANIMENT – One of the very few instances where permission was granted to set the works of this much-loved humorous poet to music. The combination of words and music generates a wonderful, warm response from all audiences.
THEY WALKED IN DARKNESS – (GRADE 4) – NARRATOR WITH BAND ACCOMPANIMENT – A dramatic, emotional journey exploring the entire history of the African-American experience, both in the Homelands, and in the New World, this work has generated enthusiastic emotional responses whenever and wherever performed.
