Magnolia Star (for wind band) was recently performed at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia by the Los Altos High School (CA) Festival Ensemble and by the U.S. Navy Band on the steps of the U.S. Capitol! It is a great honor to have my work included on these programs. Magnolia Star has been performed by a wide range of ensembles: high school, all-state, college, community, and professional. This past year it was performed by both the U.S. All-National High School Band and the Canadian National High School Honor Band.
Naxos Release! "Lauda" Recorded by Illinois State Wind Symphony
I'm very excited to announce the release of a new CD on the Naxos label, featuring my work "Lauda," recorded by the Illinois State University Wind Symphony! The CD features works by living composers, conducted by Daniel A. Belongia. Listen to and download the recording on iTunes and Naxos. The CD is also available from retailers.
New Wind Band Music for Fall 2014
More new music, just in time for the Fall semester! Here are four new pieces - three works for band and a new song cycle for Soprano and Wind Octet. Take a look at the scores, listen to the recordings, and let me know if any of these will work for your group. I’d love to hear from you!
Best wishes for a wonderful Fall semester!
Adagietto Grade 5 Band
Based on an original choral tune and inspired by Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry (one of my favorite pieces), this work is a simple, yet powerful piece with a soaring melody and rich harmonies. See the score here.
Mountainscape Grade 4 Band
This lyrical work opens with a flute solo, and then a flute duet, introducing the theme that is developed throughout the work. The music is inspired by this passage from Isaiah 55:12:
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
Journeys Grade 5 Band
This work is about life and living, new experiences (musical or otherwise) that make and define us, and those who have influenced us for the better. The journey has only just begun! See the score here
Journeys was commissioned by the Tennessee Music Education Association and Eastman Chemical Company for the 2014 TMEA 11-12 All-State Band. Listen to a recording here.
Alcott Songs Soprano and Chamber Winds Octet (Grade 5)
Now available for pre-order! Witty and whimsical, this song cycle is comprised of six short pieces with text by 19th century American writer Louisa May Alcott. The work features a variety of musical material: from the light, buoyant dance-like opening to the soft lullaby at the close. See the score here
Alcott Songs was commissioned in 2014 by a group of musicians and institutions. See the full list here.
Performance Saturday at the South Carolina Music Educator's Conference
The Bob Jones Symphonic Wind Band is the featured college ensemble this year at the South Carolina Music Educator's Conference and they will be including Lauda on their concert at 2pm! The Symphonic Wind Band is conducted by Dr. Dan Turner. Best wishes for a great performance at the conference!
Performance Tomorrow at the Pacific Northwest Invitational Wind Band Festival
Tomorrow, February 5th, 2013, the Mercer Island High School Wind Ensemble will perform the first movement of Lauda at the Pacific Northwest Invitational Wind Band Festival. The Festival will be held at Meany Hall, The University of Washington. Thank you to Mercer Island High School for including Lauda on their program, and best of luck to them at this festival! Find out more about the Mercer Island High School Wind Ensemble here, and the Pacific Northwest Invitational Wind Band Festival here.
World Youth Wind Symphony Video Recording!
Slight correction from my last post: The World Youth Wind Symphony was the ensemble that performed Lauda at Interlochen under the baton of Gary Green. You can watch the wonderful video recording of the performance below. These are some very talented young people (high school students) who played my piece (and the whole concert) beautifully. Thanks to the World Youth Wind Symphony, Gary Green, and Interlochen! Bravo!
Lauda at Interlochen Tomorrow! Watch via Webcast!
My wind ensemble work Lauda will be performed tomorrow, Saturday July 14th by the Interlochen Symphony Band conducted by the incomparable Gary Green. Interlochen will be streaming live video of the concert at the link below. Check it out if you can! Who: Interlochen Symphony Band conducted by Gary Green When: Saturday July 14, 2012 - 7:00pm Where: Kresge Auditorium, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, Michigan Webcast: Live video streaming here
Lauda at Texas Tech on Monday!
Lauda will be performed by the Texas Tech University Concert Band, directed by Duane Hill on Monday May 7th at 8pm. They are doing a really interesting program called "The Great Outdoors" and students in the ensemble have prepared visual slide shows and videos to play along with the music - very cool! Best wishes for a great performance! When: Monday May 7th, 8:00pm Where: Hemmle Recital Hall, Texas Tech University
Magnolia Star - Score & Full Recording
Magnolia Star, my newest work for wind ensemble which I discussed in my last post here, now has a page on my website. On that page you will find the full midi recording, PDF score, program notes, and a link to purchase the score and parts. Enjoy! Here is the full midi recording:
[audio http://www.stevedanyew.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Danyew_Magnolia_Star_midi.mp3]