Repertoire, Materials and Resources

Band 7

Term 1 and 2

The Red Standard of Excellence book will serve as our main resource as students build their confidence and skills on their chosen instrument.

Term 3 and 4
(Year End Concert)

Ember Skies by Kevin Day

"Ember Skies is a Grade 1 composition for band that depicts a red-orange colored sky that awakens from the darkness of night, bringing forth the first light and signalling the start of a new day."

This piece serves as an accessible opportunity to explore artistry in a beginning band setting, allowing students to express the beauty of nature.

Mechanical Monsters (Flex Arrangement) by Randall Standridge

"Mechanical Monsters was born out of my love of two things:

1) B-Monster Movies from the 50’s and 60’s.

2) Teaching Beginning Band

When writing for young band, I always try to ask myself “what would I have LOVED to play at that age?” In this work, the sounds of metal and gears are used to overlay a repeating, plodding groove that suggests something shambling it’s way across a darkened countryside, drawing ever closer to the unsuspecting city dwellers, completely unaware of the havoc that is about to befall them. My younger self would have relished this mental image, and I hope your young band students will too."

This three-part flex arrangement is a fun way to explore the eighth note pulse while introducing new accidentals and more intricate ensemble playing. The flexibility built into this arrangement allows players to learn more than one part, as well as play with instruments or sections that they traditionally wouldn't have the opportunity to play with.

Band 8 & 9

Term 1 and 2
(Winter Concert)

Belah Sun Woman by Jodie Blackshaw

"The ultimate goal of Belah Sun Woman is AWARENESS—the conductor’s awareness of his or her impact on the music and individual student awareness of how their playing (sound, style options), attitude, and knowledge influence the interpretation and performance of a musical work. This is not ‘just another piece’ but a significant musical-educational addition to the repertory."

This five-movement work for developing bands is accompanied by lesson plans and teaching tools exploring the music and traditions of the indigenous peoples of Australia. Not only is it a rich educational tool, but it is a uninque opportunity for students to learn about indigenous cultures from other areas of the world in an authentic and meaningful way.

Term 3 and 4
(Festival and Year End Concert)

Unspoken by Katahj Copley

"On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was a killed when a police officer brutally placed his knee on his neck. This moment not only changed my life, but the world around us. For hundreds of years, the black community has been hushed, pushed, and brutalized by systematic racism. We have had our voices taken away from us. This piece represents a voice for the voiceless. I wanted to show the five stages of grief, they are not in the order of the stages but better yet the stages of the black community's grief.

Denial: The piece seems to not want to start. It's subtle and seems not wanting to start. Another death has come and it seems too unreal.

Depression: The theme begins to come in. The piece moves into a somber funeral march, a march for the fallen and unarmed.

Bargaining: The piece begins to sway back and forth between beauty and anger. Trying to find ways to get away from this pain.

Anger: The march reaches its crescendo with the voices of the voiceless finally fighting back. With anger and rage the piece goes into a violent scream.

Growth: As the rage strengthen the voices instead of acceptance, we enter growth. The voices have become stronger than before and will continue to grow. The voices seek change and won't stop until change has come."

The message and importance of this piece speaks for itself. What is striking is that a piece with such an impotant message has been developed for young bands - the voices of the future. Often it feels like the "heavier" music is reserved for older, more experienced players, but as educators we know that our students are not only capable of having these conversations, but they are actively seeking outlets for this dialogue.

Zenith by Pete Meechan

"ze•nith n. The point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer.

Looking straight up, to me, means looking in to the night sky; looking at the stars, the planets. There’s mystery, intrigue, a sense of being small, a sense that the universe is massive beyond what we are able to comprehend.

All these ideas are represented in the music – the bass instruments at the opening rise, the loud climax is representative of how big the universe is, and the smaller solos represent a combination of the amazement of looking to the stars and to how small a part we play in the universe – how alone the human race really is.

At night, to look to the zenith is to look to the stars."

Band 10-12

Semester 1
(Winter Concert)

Halcyon Hearts by Katahj Copley

"Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

HALCYON HEARTS is an ode to love and how it affects us all. Halcyon denotes a time where a person is ideally happy or at peace, so in short Halcyon Hearts is about the moment of peace when one finds their love or passion. The piece centers around major 7ths and warm colors to represent the warmth that love brings us. The introduction- which is sudden and colorful- symbolizes the feeling of the unexpected journey it takes to find love. Using the colors and natural energy of the ensemble, we create this sound of ambition and passion throughout the work. No matter what race, gender, religion, nationality or love, we all are united with the common thread of passion from the heart. This piece was written in dedication to those who love no matter what negativity is in the world; do not allow hate and prejudice to guide the way we live our lives. Always choose love and the halcyon days will come."

Semester 2
(Festival and Year End Concert)

Dusk by Steven Bryant

"This simple, chorale-like work captures the reflective calm of dusk, paradoxically illuminated by the fiery hues of sunset. I’m always struck by the dual nature of this experience, as if witnessing an event of epic proportions silently occurring in slow motion. Dusk is intended as a short, passionate evocation of this moment of dramatic stillness."

This piece is a true masterclass in beauty. Click here for an in-depth look at this work and its artistic and educational value.

A Mother of a Revolution by Omar Thomas

"This piece is a celebration of the bravery of trans women, and in particular, Marsha "Pay It No Mind" Johnson. Marsha is credited with being one of the instigators of the famous Stonewall uprising of June 28,1969 – one of the pivotal events of the LGBTQ liberation movement of the 20th century – which is commemorated annually during the worldwide Gay Pride celebrations. Existing as a trans woman, especially a trans woman of color, and daring to live authentically, creating space for oneself in a transphobic world is one of the bravest acts I can imagine. Over 20 trans women were murdered in the United States in 2018 alone. There is no demographic more deserving, and frankly, long overdue for highlighted heroism and bravery. The disco vibe in the latter half of the piece is meant to honor club culture, a sacred space held amongst LGBTQ persons in which to love, live, mourn, heal, strategize, connect, disconnect, and dance in defiance of those outside forces who would seek to do LGBTQ persons harm simply for daring to exist and take up space.

We pump our fists to honor the life, heroism, activism, and bravery of Marsha P. Johnson, to honor the legacy of the Stonewall revolution, to honor the memory of the trans lives violently ended due to fear and hatred, and in honor of trans women worldwide who continue to exist unapologetically and who demand to be seen."

This work has been selected by our ensemble, and will be performed as part of our Pride celebrations in Fort McMurray. It has been purchased for our program through a grant generously provided by the Alberta Teachers' Association's Diversity, Equity, and Human Rights group.

Cajun Folk Songs: Belle (for Adaptable Band) by Frank Ticheli

"This colorful work in the rich Cajun folksong tradition is treated with authenticity and sensitivity in this two-movement work, which employs varied instrumental textures, exciting percussion parts and fascinating contrapuntal writing."

This movement, Belle, features rich percussive elements, mixed meter and time signatures, and joyful melodies. The opportunity to explore the folk traditions of a culture in an appropriate and meaningful way while also exposing students to technical challenges and opportunities for musical growth is so valuable.