THE END OF THE WORLD (2011) by Michael Schelle
1. The Exhausted Sun (0:00 - 5:55)
2. Bullet Train to Hell (5:55 - 8:50)
3. After Afterlife (8:50 - end)

Winner of the 2012 National Band Association "William D. Revelli" Composition Prize
http://www.nationalbandassociation.org/nbacommittee/revelli.asp

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This recording:

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE
Frank Tracz, music director and conductor
McCain Concert Hall
Manhattan, KS
December 2013

For more information on the piece: schellemusic.com/8.html

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VIDEO (with video image projections): University of South Florida: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWy3Fohb49A&feature=youtu.be
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Other recordings:

INDIANA UNIVERSITY .. https://soundcloud.com/rimsky-1/michael-schelle-bullet-train
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY .. https://soundcloud.com/rimsky-1/michael-schelle-the-end-of-the

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PROGRAM NOTE: (for printed concert programs)

THE END OF THE WORLD (2011) Michael Schelle (b. 1950)

1. THE EXHAUSTED SUN
2. BULLET TRAIN TO HELL
3. AFTER AFTERLIFE

Written during the blistering, record-breaking heat wave of summer 2011, THE END OF THE WORLD was inspired, in some part, by the notorious cataclysmic end-of-the-world prophecy of Nostradamus (scheduled for late December 2012) and the Mayan calendar’s end-of-time prediction (also, according to some, on the immediate horizon). The primary source of inspiration, however, was the great earthquake and tsunami that leveled much of northern Japan in March 2011. My original plan was for a “serious” Nostradamus-related piece, but fate interceded: As I began work on the music in Spring 2011, I was heartbroken by the fear, disbelief and sadness on the face of my Japanese wife, composer/pianist Miho Sasaki, as she sat paralyzed by her emotions, watching televised images of her homeland’s devastation. So my piece took its shape and inspiration from this disaster. 

At the end of the day (or the end of the world), doomsday predictions are ephemeral, but Japan’s 3/11/11 cataclysm will have a profound international impact on generations to come. Besides, as I spoke with one of the consortium directors about my Nostradamus vs. Japan dilemma, it dawned on me that both subjects might very likely produce a similar score – so I chose to just embrace it all and seek the optimistic “substance after shadows” (Shinto prayer) for resolution. 

As old Nostradamus's predictions have come and gone without incident, and the Japanese people have (once again) picked themselves up from the ashes and resiliently moved on, now my piece may take on more universal considerations: perhaps reflecting on each listener’s personal experience(s) with the loss of important persons, places, or things.

THE END OF THE WORLD is a commission from a consortium group of 35 university and professional symphonic bands / wind ensembles from across the US and abroad. In December 2012, selected from over 80 international entries, THE END OF THE WORLD was awarded the 2012 National Band Association "William D. Revelli Composition Prize".
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LA FIN DU MONDE CONSORTIUM COMMISSION GROUP:

Michigan, Eastman, Texas-Austin, Indiana, Nebraska, Illinois, Florida, 
Purdue, Arizona State, Michigan State, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Ithaca, 
Southern Illinois, UNC Greensboro, Minnesota, New Mexico, Louisiana, Butler, 
Trinity (TX), Capital, IPFW, Missouri, the Hartt School, Lawrence Conservatory, 
Virginia Commonwealth, Illinois Wesleyan, Indiana Wind Symphony, etc.

The Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Performing Arts Center Symphonic Wind Ensemble

THE END OF THE WORLD (2011) for wind ensemble

This indoor percussion show opener includes "Voiles" by Debussy and some original music. The pre-show that precedes this is in C major pentatonic and F# major pentatonic, and in this movement, the 2 scales merge to form a whole tone scale from the 1st 3 notes of each scale. The remaining 2 notes are sometimes used as passing tones. Different tonal centers are suggested by the melody, bass, and sound design at times, but the piece is atonal. This movement was performed at 2024 WGI World Championship Finals by IGNITE Winter Percussion in PIA class.

Into the Storm

An arrangement of the song "The Scavenger" (AKA Rey's Theme) from the most recent Star Wars movie for front ensemble. Written in the spring of 2016 at a moderate to advanced high school level. Email me at nicholasjsipe@gmail.com if you're interested in obtaining the arrangement. 

The Scavenger - Front Ensemble Lot Tune

Sheet music available from Tapspace at https://www.tapspace.com.

Tapspace Concert Literature

Truth or Consequence (Jim Casella)

Music by Jeremy Rawson.  Recording received by the composer from a church performance.

I Saw A Light

Purchase score directly from the composer at http://www.jimcasella.com

"Fight or Flight" is a term used for the stress response stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system in animals. When a threatening situation is detected, such as being confronted by a predator, this response can activate an accelerated heartbeat, heightened sense awareness, and a rush of adrenaline to help the animal prepare to survive through aggression (fight) or escape (flight). As humans, this response is wired into our brains from prehistoric times, and it persists with us today despite the fact most of us don't live with the immediate threat of being hunted as prey. 

Like the fight-or-flight response, the piece aims to create adrenaline from uncertainty. It opens with a mysterious quote from a solo flute which introduces the main theme which is constructed outlined by two different tri-tones in a phrygian mode. This quickly grows through a hopeful build into an action-packed series of events. Driven by syncopated rhythms, harmonic shifts, and dense layers, my hope is that this piece will keep you on the edge of your seat with excitement!

Fight or Flight (Baylor University Concert Band)

I am the director of bands and choirs at Southwestern Jr./Sr. High School in Shelby County, Indiana. I arrange and write original music for my concert bands, marching band, and choirs to perform. I have arranged and taught percussion music for marching bands in Central Indiana since 2009, and have been composing original music for marching percussion ensemble, marching band, and concert band since 2012. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing any of my pieces.

I perform drums and percussion with the acoustic jazz/blues/rock quintet Doghouse Grove, rock/blues quartet Twisted Knobs, the Indianapolis Symphonic Band, and the Holy Cross Orchestra.

I formerly held the position of director of bands at Muncie Northside Middle School and the assistant band director and director of percussion at Muncie Central High School.

Please note that some of the pieces posted here are works in progress.

Into the Storm

Doug Gaking

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