Original Concert Band Pieces

Relaxation music with the sounds of nature.

Breath Of Life

The score and band parts can be purchased at:
https://www.jwpepper.com/11385884.item#.Yg_EZfXMJaY
This piece has a score video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqqEjS3DEY4

A powerful medley of Christmas favorites along with creative original portions, this piece will bring new life to some traditional Christmas carols. Tunes included are Carol of the Bells, We Three Kings, The First Noel, as well as hints of Silent Night, Joy to the World and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day!

The Bells of Christmas

The Bells Of Christmas

The score and band parts can be purchased at:
https://www.jwpepper.com/11389806.item#.Yg-7UPXMJaY
This piece has a score video at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjo6rwnl-SSdkVqd1f26SQ

Written in the style of Rachmaninoff, this romantic piece ebbs and flows with the rubato. Originally composed for piano, this transcription will provide a great mood change in your concert.

Wind Ensemble Series

The Ring - Wind Ensemble Version

The score and band parts can be purchased at:
https://www.jwpepper.com/11389806.item#.Yg-7UPXMJaY
This piece has a score video at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjo6rwnl-SSdkVqd1f26SQ

Pronounced just like the name "Bernie," this fun march is an original composition to serve as a tribute to the community of Boerne, TX. Highlighting trombones and other low instruments, this lively piece conveys a positive energy throughout. The gratuitous "trio" section at rehearsal mark "D" pays homage to the ducks at the nice city park and duck pond in downtown Boerne.

Boerne March

The score and band parts can be purchased at:
https://www.jwpepper.com/11389806.item#.Yg-7UPXMJaY
This piece has a score video at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjo6rwnl-SSdkVqd1f26SQ

A tribute to those who landed on Utah Beach on “D Day” June 6, 1944 in Operation Overlord, including this composer’s father, who was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army and would later drive a tank across Europe.

As you listen to this piece, you will notice there are distinct sections. Each one works to tell the story of this battle and the heroes who fought it.
 
The opening section is dark and gloomy, hinting at the underlying emotions of each soldier. As they lived with the knowledge that was foreshadowing the upcoming battle., the soldiers loaded their transports to head across the English Channel very much aware that they, or their buddies, or both, may not be returning from what lay across the channel waiting for them.
 
The next section tells the story of the trip across the choppy waters, with each man striving to avoid seasickness in order to be at their fullest for the mission. Heightened senses were aware of everything from the battering waves to the skies above, watching for German planes that might appear to try and thwart the battle plans to which they were fully committed.
 
Next we experience, in the early morning, when the tide was low, the coastline appears over the horizon. With the sudden rush of feelings, these brave men experience the rush of knowing they are in the middle of history in the making. Hurried, intense prayers are told by many as their minds drift back home to the loved ones they may never see again.
 
The beach landing begins, and battle immediately begins. There is live fire everywhere. While having been well-trained in boot camp, our friends, family and heroes working to take the beach realize this differs from anything they could have ever imagined. Reality is so much more intense, but giving in to the overwhelming feeling of stress and fear is not an option as they bravely push forward onto the beach, battling the enemy every step of the way.
 
While moving onto the beach, many soldiers take notice of their fallen friends all up and down the beach. As if in a scene from a Hollywood movie, the noise of battle goes away as the silent slow motion action continues and a requiem chorale plays in our soldier’s mind, as they look around and take witness to the deep cost of this battle.
 
With no time for distraction, the music takes the focus back to the Allies’ offensive battle, now showing signs of success and victory. With the landing of 1,700 vehicles and 23,250 soldiers, only 197 American soldiers were killed and 60 missing. Followed by airborne divisions, Utah Beach is considered the most successful one of the five Allied beaches in Normandy.

This piece has a score video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anvQctWQMWM

The score and band parts can be purchased at:
https://www.jwpepper.com/11389663.item#.Yg-60PXMJaY

Utah Beach

The score and band parts can be purchased at:
https://www.jwpepper.com/11389806.item#.Yg-7UPXMJaY
This piece has a score video at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjo6rwnl-SSdkVqd1f26SQ

Contrarian means things that happen when you expect the opposite. This piece if full on contrast, between sections of the composition, between the instruments, between the melodies. While most of the piece is in minor, the main melody for the primary movement is built around a whole one scale with complex back grounds and rhythm behind it. The lyrical middle love song also brands itself with contrast with the softly dissonant voicing of the supporting chords.

A rhapsody is defined as a musical composition of irregular form having an improvisatory character" - Merriam-Webster

I hope you enjoy listening to this piece.

Contrarian Rhapsody

Patriotism Unleashed

Liberty Fanfare and Processional

Known as The Siege of Bastogne in December of 1944, this is a great story that deserves to be told; a battle that could’ve been another Alamo. Americans were surrounded by Germans and able to hold them off even though they were running out of ammunition. There would be no Alamo recreation this time, as General George Patton’s division and other reinforcements arrived save the men who were surrounded and to help push back the Germans and establish a hold on this major strategic city.
Among the soldiers arriving in Bastogne was this composer’s father, who was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army and who drove a tank across Europe. It is in his honor, and all the men who fought this great battle, that this piece is written.

I hope you enjoy this piece.

Bastogne

Known as The Battle of the Bulge, a battle which was fought from December 16, 1944 through January 25, 1945, it is known as one of the most vicious and brutal battles of World War II. Not just because the of the tenaciousness of both sides and stubbornness to give up, the fierce winter weather also played a big part. Convoys getting stuck in the mud. Supplies by airdrop were not possible.  These were just two of the multitude of obstacles our troops were working against. The weather finally gave a break and allied air forces were able to conduct aerial assault on the Germans and their supply lines. Allies were able to also get reinforcements and eventually a month later end this battle. The loss of life on both sides was great, but this Allied victory marked the end of the last offensive surge for the Germans in the war. 
Among the soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge was this composer’s father, who was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army and who drove a tank across Europe. It is in his honor, and all the men who fought this great battle, that this piece is written.

I hope you enjoy this piece.

The Battle of the Bulge

The score and band parts can be purchased at:

https://www.jwpepper.com/11399366.item#.Yl6saBZOnDt

This piece has a score video at:

https://youtu.be/VJzQrqMchA0

El Degüello was a bugle call that was used as a march by Mexican Army buglers during the 1836 Siege and Battle of the Alamo. This death march of a bugle call signaled that the defenders of the Alamo would receive no quarter, no mercy, by the attacking Mexican Army under General Santa Anna. This was the last thing heard by the defenders of the Alamo. It is a bright, haunting brass piece that caused Davy Crockett to say to Col. William Travis, “Kinda pretty,” in the 2004 film, “The Alamo.” In the end, the effect Santa Anna probably wanted was not achieved, as the playing of this over and over likely stirred the fire and determination of the Texas heroes.

Texas history teaches that Santa Anna allegedly had 14 military bands surrounding the Alamo playing this tune on March 6, 1836. 

During the siege of the Alamo, about 260 ‘“Texians” stood up to more than 2,400 Mexican soldiers. In the end, 258 “Texians” died, but the Mexican army’s losses counted nearly 600.

DIRECTORS NOTES
This piece expands on the melody and style of the tune, and builds throughout, telling the story of the intensity of the siege. 

The piece opens with military drums and a Spanish trumpet solo. The solo can be adlibbed on the embellishments to make it the soloist’s own.

This piece builds constantly throughout, with both crescendo-ing through the addition of instruments and increasing of volume throughout and ends with a haunting section following a recapitulation of the trumpet solo. 

Emotion should be evident throughout this piece as it tells its story. Tempo is constant throughout. The feel is definitely a death march type feel. 

This song is conflicting in that while it is a beautiful piece, known the meaning behind it and what it meant at the Alamo brings it to its sad, mournful conclusion.

El Degüello

A medley of the Call to Colors and the Star-Spangled Banner, this piece is meant to be more presentational than participatory, this piece should offer a stirring beginning to your patriotic concerts.

The Call to Colors can be played while the flag enters the room. If more time is needed, the following drum roll can be held like is usually done before preceding into the Star-Spangled Banner portion of the piece.

The tuba and low woodwinds carry the melody to begin. Make sure the harmonies do not overtake this.

As the song progresses, it builds to each key change and its final climatic ending. Be careful it does not build too fast.

United States National Anthem

The State of Texas was an independent nation before becoming a state. It was known as the Republic of Texas. It was in the battle for its independence that the battle of the Alamo occurred. Titled for this short-lived, but proud republic, this song is written in honor of The Daughters of the Republic, an organization formed in 1891 and best known as the sole caretakers of the Alamo. It is through their devotion and care to the history of that historic site and the state of Texas itself that the Alamo has survived through the years of vandalism, city growth, age and decay. 

Membership in this group is very select. One of the criteria states that members are those "who can prove lineal descent from men and women who rendered loyal service to Texas prior to its annexation in 1846 by the United States." This composer's sister is a member, so the interest in this group is somewhat personal. Because of this, and all this group has done to protect this treasured historic landmark, this song is written to honor them.


DIRECTOR'S NOTES

A happy, fun march which features mostly low brass, piccolo and flute. This piece should be light and every bit the 120 bmp it is marked at.

There is only one key change and that is at the trio. The two keys are Bb at the beginning and Eb at the Trio. There is a passage before the trio with a few accidentals to facilitate the key change and some in the trumpet break of the Trio which can make things a little more challenge, breaking up the norm of predicable passages. Piccolo/flute part at trio can be performed as a solo if desired. 

Dynamic changes should be exaggerated to give flavor and contrast throughout the piece.

This piece should be a fun march for your group to perform and for your audience to listen to.

Daughters of the Republic of Texas

The Republic of Texas March

Thunderstorm with string pad and electric piano

Breath of Life

Self-Control

Peace

Cold winter wind blowing with acoustic piano

Patience

Love

Kindness

Ambient nature country breeze with acoustic piano

Goodness

Ocean waves and birds on the beach with soft electric piano and acoustic piano

Gentleness

Enjoy this preview version. This piece is still in development. This will be replaced with the final version once it is complete. 

The concept of this piece is based on my musical vision of The Count of Monte Cristo.

FLAVORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Zatarra

"The Skye Boat Song" is Scottish folk song from the late 19th-century about Prince Charles Edward Stuart as he escaped capture by British troops after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Sir Harold Boulton composed the lyrics to an air by Anne Campbelle MacLeod in the 1870s, and the line "Over the Sea to Skye" is now a common phrase on the Isle of Skye. Alternative lyrics to the tune were written by Robert Louis Stevenson somewhere around 1885. 

The song most recently become famously known when composer Bear McCreary used the tune for the opening theme of the 2014 TV series Outlander.

Smooth, simple, calm and relaxing are just four words that should describe the mood of most of this level 3 concert band piece, although it builds to a Scottish triumph at the end. I hope you enjoy my arrangement of The Skye Boat Song.

The Skye Boat Song

The score and band parts can be purchased at:
https://www.jwpepper.com/11389806.item#.Yg-7UPXMJaY
This piece has a score video at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjo6rwnl-SSdkVqd1f26SQ

An arrangement for advanced wind symphony, this arrangement is based on the melodies of two classic Christian hymns, along with a short original theme in the middle. I hope you enjoy listening to it! If your band plays, I hope you will let me know! I would love to hear it!

A Remnant Psalm

Having graduated in 1980 from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) with a degree in Music Education, Marty Hill returned in 1989 to study Music Composition. A former band director, Marty has always inspired with a passion for composing, he has written for band, choir, piano and contemporary Christian rock, as well as various other styles. Having spent a good number of years in Technical Ministry (author of "The Professional's Guide to Technical Ministry." 

His current writing is for concert band and electronic music in the form of relaxation albums, although a Christmas album, a jazz trombone album and a few other genre albums are in the works as future releases. All this passion is also driving him towards his lifelong dream of film scoring.

Marty Hill, ASCAP

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