Michael Sweeney
Showing 31–45 of 97 results
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Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble Grade: 1.5
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Grade 1.5What better way to introduce the music of Duke Ellington to your young jazzers than with this wonderfully scored arrangement by Michael Sweeney? Even at this easy level, this chart really swings and will sound great with limited rehearsal time. Your pianist gets a rare chance to shine as he or she is featured on the melody while the ensemble answers. Later, every section gets to play the melody and there is a solo section for any sax. The final section starts softly with saxes alone, then builds as various layers are added. A great-sounding chart for beginning bands.Enjoy great flexibility with the Discovery Jazz series! Playable with 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, piano and drums.SKU: HL07470701 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 2
Down by the Salley Gardens
The haunting melody of this traditional Irish folk song is treated here in a lush and moving setting by Michael Sweeney. Even at this easy level, the instrumentation is varied and a wealth of musical elements are provided through creative harmonizations and carefully placed key changes. This is scored in a way that will make even small bands sound terrific. Dur: 3:05SKU: HL04002337 -
Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble Grade: 1.5
Doxy
Arranged in a medium swing/shuffle style, here is a very easy version of this jazz standard by Sonny Rollins that maintains the style and feel of the original. Featuring a mix of tutti playing and call-and-response scoring, this is a great way to introduce a jazz legend to your young players. There is a written or ad lib solo for any trumpet or alto sax, and the shout chorus features a dialogue between the ensemble and drums.Enjoy great flexibility with the Discovery Jazz series! Playable with 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, piano and drums; includes optional parts for flute, clarinet, F horn and tuba.SKU: HL7012333 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 2.5
Due North
Composed for a band festival in Duluth, MN, and suggesting perhaps an exciting downhill ski run or possibly a snowmobile chase through the woods, Due North is a fast-paced overture written entirely in a single tempo. Along the way, various moods are suggested as themes and musical ideas are passed from section to section. The percussion section provides a driving, rhythmic pulse throughout. Dur: 3:00SKU: HL04003876 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 3
Earth and Sky
The Native American Omaha Tribe believed in an inseparable union between earth and sky. Commissioned for the Nebraska All-State 8th Grade Band, Michael Sweeney’s Earth and Sky celebrates this ideal with a balance of woodwind motifs and delicate textures (sky) contrasted with an underlying percussion ostinato and feature spots (earth). Rich chordal accompaniments and soaring melodies provide continuity and flow in this dynamic work for band. Dur: 6:15SKU: HL04003380 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 3
Earthdance
In celebration of mankind’s connection to our planet, Michael has created an extraordinary work for band using an intriguing array of composition devices and captivating melodies. Listeners are immersed in a simulated rainstorm, the sounds of world drumming, overlapping tone clusters and textures, and finally a dance of jubilation as the piece comes to a satisfying and rewarding finish. Dur: 7:30SKU: HL04002979 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 3
Emerald Awakening
Splashes of color and striking textures combine with an underlying “street beat” driving pulse in this joyous overture for band. Throughout, Michael skillfully manipulates melodic and rhythmic fragments as they are developed and passed from section to section. A brief slow section and tender chorale provide a poignant calm before the celebration of rhythm and dance returns for the uplifting conclusion. A rewarding piece that is fun to play!SKU: HL04003207 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 0.5
Fanfare and March
Explorer Level (correlates with Book 1, p. 11)An important ingredient in your beginning band’s first concert is a suitable march. What better choice than this gem from Michael Sweeney that guarantees success right from the start. A powerful-sounding fanfare leads to a march theme built on only quarter and half notes. Also included is a short feature for the percussion section. A winner! Dur: 1:50
SKU: HL00860548 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 1.5
Fires of Mazama
Aleatoric music for grade 1? Why not?! Through carefully controlled parameters, your beginning players can actually create their own erupting volcano effect! Mazama was the imposing mountain peak in southwest Oregon that erupted 7000+ years ago and became the serene and beautiful present day Crater Lake. Fires of Mazama opens with bold sounds and powerful melodies before the “eruption” changes everything. Afterwards, a calm chorale leads to the exciting final strains in this ingenious and impressive piece for beginners! Dur: 3:20SKU: HL04002347 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 4
Fractures in Time
Exploring different facets of “time,” this unique work utilizes a wide range of compositional devices, including periods of carefully controlled aleatoric playing, a dizzying effect of multiple “ticking clocks,” and a variety of moods and time signatures. Densely layered harmonies are contrasted with lyric passages and soaring melodies, and the overall effect of the piece is quite different and striking. Dur: c. 6:45 (MusicWorks)SKU: HL04005118 -
Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble Grade: 1
Get Back
Recorded by the Beatles on Let It Be, and notably performed on the roof of Apple Studios in London, here is a rockin’ version for very young jazz bands.Enjoy great flexibility with the Discovery Jazz series! Playable with 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, piano and drums; includes optional parts for flute, clarinet, F horn and tuba.SKU: HL7470743 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 3
Half Moon on the Hudson
Nearly 400 years ago (in 1609) Henry Hudson and his ship, the Half Moon, explored the majestic river that was later to bear his name. Half Moon on the Hudson pays tribute to this area of New York and the spirit of exploration and adventure. A regal fanfare announces the beginning of the work, followed by an energetic and rhythmic section that features various sections of the band answering one another. An emotional and chorale-like middle section provides a calmer mood along with lush harmonizations. The brass and percussion sections herald the final segment, driving to a dramatic conclusion of this rewarding work for winds. Dur: 6:30 (Includes full performance CD)SKU: HL04002551 -
Concert Band, Concert Band Grade: 2.5
Irish Rising
In Ireland’s quest for independence, the “Easter Rising” of 1916 was a pivotal event that helped shape history and fan the flames of Irish freedom. Here is a sparkling medley of tunes from Ireland’s rebellious past. The familiar Minstrel Boy leads to a lively setting of Wind That Shakes the Barley. The haunting, yet dramatic Foggy Dew then leads to the stirring march strains of The Boys of Wexford which features tin whistles (opt. flutes or piccolo) along with a driving rhythmic pulse. Dur: 5:20SKU: HL04004719