Ensemble Music for Church and School

From the Foreword:

Recent years have seen much increase in the activities of small and medium sized instrumental ensembles in schools at all grade levels, generally as an adjunct of band and orchestral programs. Many churches and Sunday Schools also use ensembles ofvarious types in programs and services. Such groups are looking for playable music that is also interesting and worthwhile.

This collection contains settings of sacred hymns and songs, and other selections, all of which should be usable in the church and the school. The hymn and song treatments are not just instrumentations of standard hymnal type, but are completearrangements, using such devices as introductions, "bridges," reharmonizations in present day idioms, rhythmic variety, countermelodies, etc.

All selections have been scored for a six (or five) part brass ensemble with the following part books available: (preferred instruments are listed before the parenthetical substitution possibilities)

Part 1: C Instruments (Violin, Oboe, Flute); 1st Bb Trumpet or Cornet (Bb Clarinet)
Part 2: 2nd Bb Trumpet or Cornet (Bb Clarinet)
Part 3: 3rd Bb Trumpet or Cornet (Bb Clarinet); F Horn (English Horn); Eb Horn (Alto Saxophone, Eb Alto Clarinet)
Part 4: Baritone treble clef (Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet); Trombone (Baritone bass clef, Bassoon, Cello)
Part 5: Baritone bass clef (Trombone, Bassoon, Cello)
Part 6: Tuba or Sousaphone (Bassoon or Cello with occasional lower range limits, String Bass 8vb)

While hoping to keep the selections interesting and worthwhile for experienced players, they have generally been restricted to a medium level of difficulty (or Grade III as defined by the Instrumentalist Magazine). Extremes of range and key signaturehave been avoided, lead parts have ample time to rest and "catch their breath" and technical demands are usually modest. Selections which could have been expanded to larger proportions (such as "A Mighty Fortress") have been held to a modest length,in order to give younger musicians a better chance to play them successfully. Footnotes in the conductors score indicate how the longer medleys can be abbreviated, if that is desirable.

WESLEY HANSON