An exciting and fun novelty piece with a spooky flair, this piece is perfect for the first concert of the year. It is a concert rondo that gives each section a shot at the melody.
This creative work is one more addition to a series of band pieces that musically describe the fictional saga of an alien invasion. In this installment, the mysterious and persistent visitors from outer space are continuing their quest for world domination with a new and formidable weapon, a giant robotic android. Massive and ominous, it clanks along seemingly unstoppable as the alien troops march forward, bent on total conquest. Effective as a standalone piece, you can also combine it with the other works Aliens Landing (In Your Backyard!), Alien Invasion, and Aliens Among Us for a complete musical sci-fi mini series.
A great way to introduce some of the best-known themes from classical literature in a fun and spooky package! Four of the most haunting classical themes: In the Hall of the Mountain King; The Sorcerer's Apprentice; Danse Macabre and A Night on Bald Mountain conjure up images of ghosts, witches, sorcerers and all manner of creepy, spooky creatures. It's especially suitable for Halloween concerts, but your students will want to program this all year 'round!
Curse of the Pharaohs is an exotic-sounding piece with a distinctive style and infectious melody. Students will be immediately captivated by the mysterious-sounding introduction that will lead their imaginations to ancient Egypt. Fast driving rhythms, exotic harmonies and colorful percussion all contribute to the air of mystery and drama that lingers throughout this exceedingly appealing work.
Dark Prophecy begins in an intense, agitated manner that projects ominous portents of danger. It then transforms into an urgent dance, this time with the original melody played in a savage manner, before settling into a calm, more reflective mood. At this point, long soaring melodies take over, dominating throughout and leading to a moment of triumph at the conclusion of the section. This feeling is short-lived - the music takes a violent turn with the reappearance of the original thematic material. The piece then pushes to a fearsome conclusion that seems to pose the question, "Has the prophecy been fulfilled?"
Here is a musical homage to all the tales of otherworldly apparitions that gave everyone goosebumps as a child. The evocative music takes the listener on an eerie journey through a series of musical vignettes, each representing a spooky story that might be told around a campfire or when the power goes out. Come listen as we summon ghosts and conjure up spirits; but listeners beware... leave the lights on!
Create a special atmosphere of suspense while introducing students to creative and thrilling aleatoric effects! This highly evocative musical journey through a mysterious and haunting subterranean landscape will be a sure standout on any program. Students and audiences both can experience first-hand how special effects can enhance a performance and contribute so much to the overall musical effect. Haunting!
Who can forget the legend of the ominous headless horseman as told in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? The superstitious schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, embarks on a harrowing journey as he is chased through the night by this fearsome spectre. This depiction begins with a slow, walking tempo as the ride begins, gradually picking up speed as the horseman's presence is known. The horse first trots, then canters and eventually gallops in a mad dash to get away as ghostly laughter pierces the air, getting ever closer to the terrified schoolmaster.
Tricks, grand illusions and impossible feats of magic. The cry of the carnival barker, the huge black tent decorated with mysterious silver runes. A remarkable spectacle of flame, smoke and mirrors as objects appear as if from thin air and disappear in the wink of an eye. All this is created as the music builds in intensity through a rhythmic and pulsating theme growing into a grand finale of dazzling light and sound!
Mary Shelley's literary classic is musically retold in this thrilling adaptation for concert band. Inspired by three scenes from the book, listeners are transported from the frigid arctic wasteland where the novel begins, to the eerie graveyards and laboratory where the monster is created, and finally to the terrifying climax. Styled after the Gothic soundtracks of classic horror movies, the music creates a strong sense of drama that will quicken the pulse as the fascinating story unfolds.
Much like the prophecies of ancient seers, musical works have the power to communicate the profound. Shrouded in mystical sounds, the opening creates an air of mystery and intrigue as though peering through time at misty images of future events. As the visions grow and take shape, the music intensifies, leading to bold musical proclamations that will make a lasting impression.
With the roar of wind and thunder, the soothsayer appears; his mesmerizing presence further enhanced with wind chimes, triangles and other metallic sounds. Tell the timeless story of these mysterious men and women who possessed the supernatural ability to predict the future. This is indeed a truly magical work that will hold your audience spellbound!
The United States Air Force maintains a special and mysterious base in Nevada known as Area 51. There is much speculation that the wreckage of alien spacecraft and perhaps even captured or recovered aliens are secretly housed there. This selection allows the listener to take an imaginary look into that top-secret facility through music with a strong military theme and otherworldly sounds provided by special effects.
Patient, cunning and sinister: all qualities of this fascinating creature are displayed musically as you hear him stalk his victim! The slow, careful movements of the tarantula are portrayed by precise accents, articulations and steady tempos. Tightly-balanced melodies, accompaniment and dynamics create a mood of mystery and foreboding. This is not the soundtrack of a horror movie but it could be. Guaranteed to be a favorite, unless you're the prey!
Legends and folklore tell scary tales of a bridge guarded by a gruesome troll that lives beneath. This work takes the listener on a scary journey alone at night down a road that crosses a stream with an old wooden bridge. You'll experience the cautious approach, frightening crossing and mad dash to safety in this musical recreation of this famous story.
Venom is a work for young concert band inspired by the predators of the animal world that use venom to hunt their prey. It utilizes a slightly exotic scale, bombastic drums, and dissonant chords to create a musical portrait of an attack by one of these fascinating creatures.