ORIGINAL BAND COMPOSITIONS
If you are interested in purchasing any of my compositions, please send me an email at - markdslatermusic@gmail.com - or click the link below!
Once you contact me and the method of payment has been determined, you will be sent a zip file of the score and parts. The zip file is for the purchaser’s use only. While I encourage and appreciate you sharing my website with your colleagues so that they, too, can explore my compositions, by purchasing my music you are agreeing not to electronically or manually share the physical work with others.
CONCERT BAND - NEWEST ADDITIONS
In a Minor Mood (Difficulty: Medium Easy) - $48
- Recording in the works -
The title pretty much tells it all. This is a moody piece set in G minor. Some neat chords and colors are used in this piece for younger bands. There’s a nice little moment for the Euphonium and the trumpets and trombones get to use straight mutes which is always fun!
Three Polish Folk Songs (Difficulty: Medium Easy) - $48
Several years ago my mother gave me a collection of traditional Polish folk songs. I decided to write a “Slavonic Dances” type of piece for young band. The three songs are in different styles and time signatures. This is a terrific arrangement if you’re looking to teach your students music from different cultures.
Dancing Through the Snow
(Difficulty: Medium/Medium Easy) - $55
A fun addition to your holiday music library. “Jingle Bells” is taken through four different dance styles: Ballad or slow dance, Waltz, Tango, and Swing Dance. The inspiration for this idea came from my many years of playing dance gigs with the Big Band Sound of Austin! This is a terrific piece to introduce all sections of the band to these various styles.
Epiphany Variations (Difficulty: Medium) - $55
Don’t let the title fool you. This is a holiday tune! The feast of Epiphany is on January 6 each year. It is sometimes referred to as Three Kings Day or Little Christmas. Although it was written in 1857 for a Christmas pageant in New York City, “We Three Kings of Orient Are” is actually a song about the feast of the Epiphany. The introduction features a clarinet soloist. It leads to a pretty traditional setting of the hymn tune. This transitions into a march treatment of the tune including a Sousa-like flute and piccolo part. This is followed by a contemplative ballad section. I employed some neat colors in this section including 4 part dives flutes and cup mute brass. Lastly, the piece ends in a joyous mixed meter version that will be fun to teach and to perform!
The Bad Dream (Difficulty: Medium) - $55
- Recording in the works -
Inspired by compositions by Tom Duffy, this piece musically depicts a bad dream. If you’re looking for something a bit out there this is the piece for you! Of course when we go to sleep we don’t usually have a bad dream right away. My piece starts with lovely, dreamy music. The bad dream starts to interrupt but we try to push it away. Eventually the bad dream takes over. Melodies are fractured and angular. An evil sounding heartbeat begins. The players then get to experience playing randomly in 10 second intervals. The tempo accelerates until it reaches a frenzy which is interrupted by….the alarm going off! A fun and challenging piece for your young band.
Though I Walk Through the Valley
(Difficulty: Medium/Advanced) - $75
This composition was commissioned by the Wind Ensemble at Moe and Gene Johnson High School in Buda, Texas to celebrate the inaugural year of the school. The Director is Joey Lucita. My intent with this piece was to give the students encouragement and reassurance as the began the adventure of opening a new school. I incorporated the intent of the 23rd Psalm to convey this message. The beginning of the work is very ominous. Definitely “Valley of the Shadow of Death” music. This gives way to an uplifting and heroic theme. A flowing, melodic sections ensues. The melody (originally called Resignation) is Hymn #664 in the Episcopal Hymnal, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” which is based on the 23rd Psalm. This section uses some neat colors and harmonies. The heroic theme returns and it all leads to an energetic and uplifting conclusion.
Acadia Celebration Overture
(Difficulty: Advanced) - $75
Written for the 10th anniversary of the Acadia Wind Ensemble, Acadia Celebration Overture is based on impressions I have of the Acadia National Park. The piece starts out in the quiet early morning hours when things are still and the sun is just rising. The opening 6 tones spell out ACADIA (B is used for the letter I). These tones occur two times, first slowly and the second time a bit quicker. As the full ensemble enters the sun has risen. You will then hear the ocean and a motif that portrays the jagged, rocky mountains. Next we set out on a hike. The jaunty melody goes through several uneven measures of rhythm. This mimics the uneven terrain of the hiking trail. The hiking melody finally gives way to a beautiful, lush duet. We have come to a resting spot where we enjoy the beautiful view. The mountain motif returns in a more deliberate way and then in a trumpet solo. We then return to the trail so the hiking theme returns. This section builds and builds with excitement as we reach the pinnacle of our assent. The big ACADIA tones return in a majestic style. The energetic ending is a celebration of our successful and beautiful journey.
CONCERT BAND - EASY/MEDIUM EASY
Power Surge (Difficulty: Medium Easy) - $48
A fantastic piece for your developing band. A mixture of a driving rhythmic statement and smooth lyrical lines combine to provide a fun and challenging experience at this level. Dotted quarter/eighth is employed throughout and the percussion section has plenty to do. A good contest piece at this level.
CONCERT BAND - MEDIUM
Clouds (Difficulty: Medium) - $55
Originally written for my band at Old Saybrook Middle School, this was my way of introducing Impressionism to my students. Interesting scoring, including trumpets with cup mute, a piano part and some cool percussion sounds make this a great learning experience for the students and enjoyable for the audience.
Gaudeamus Hodie (Difficulty: Medium) - $55
I learned this traditional round (pronounced: Gow-Day-A-Moose, Ho-Dee-A) in a music education class when I was getting my bachelor’s degree. I taught it several times vocally but I always thought it would make a neat band arrangement. After a dreamy introduction that features soloists in a mini-round, the piece takes off with a latin flair. This piece is a great choice to get your entire band to experience Big Band Swing. And all the winds get to play the tune at some point!! Great for a Pops Concert!
Yuletide Reflections (Difficulty: Medium) - $55
This is a beautiful addition to the Holiday Concert repertoire. It is a medley of three lesser known Christmas carols. “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”, “Noel Nouvelet” and “ Coventry Carol” are employed to create a lush and moody composition that is perfect to offset the more traditional upbeat holiday tunes on your program. Interesting percussion sounds including wine glasses add to this unique setting. A piano is needed as well. Set in concert G minor the piece eventually leads to a final culminating and incredibly satisfying G major chord.
CONCERT BAND - ADVANCED
Fanfare and Jubilation (Difficulty: Advanced) - $75
This blockbuster piece was commissioned in 2011 by the Crane Concert Band in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Crane School of Music, SUNY - Potsdam, NY. It features 2 antiphonal trumpet quartets. It can be performed by 12 or more trumpet players or just the 8 antiphonal players. In addition, the composition calls for Electric Guitar and Electric Bass. A fantastic opener that is sure to get your audience excited!!
Overture in Search of a Show (Difficulty: Advanced) - $75
In my career I have played or conducted over 100 different musical comedies. This piece is my homage to all of those big Broadway Overtures from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. If you really know your shows you may pick up on which shows, composers and orchestrators influenced me! This challenging but extremely fun composition was commissioned by the CT Chapter of Phi Beta Mu in 2006. A perfect Pops Concert piece and a great way to give all of your students a pit orchestra experience. A good drum set player really helps on this one!
PUBLISHED BY ALFRED MUSIC
Of Days Gone By (Young Symphonic Band Series)
I believe that this is to date my most popular Alfred publication. In January of 2020 it was performed by the Florida All-State Middle School Band. It is a beautiful, lush ballad that provides an excellent opportunity for bands to showcase their musicianship. The lovely trumpet solo that first introduces the melody is a nice way to feature your first chair player.
Stick Figures (Debut Series)
This title actually has a dual meaning. First, the paradiddle rudiment is stressed in the percussion parts. Second, the entire wind section gets to be percussionists by using rhythm sticks (clapping is an option) in a call-and-response section. This exciting composition is the perfect piece to solidify eighth note rhythms and articulations.
FLEX ENSEMBLES
Aria - G. F. Handel
(Difficulty: Medium) - $25
Originally scored as a Brass Ensemble, a multitude of parts are provided for any combination of instruments. Flute Ensemble (with Alto and Bass Flute), Clarinet Ensemble (with Alto and Bass Clarinet), and Saxophone Ensemble are all possible as well as a mixed instrumentation. A Brass Score and a Concert Score are included.
A Bach Chorale - J. S. Bach
(Difficulty: Medium) - $25
Originally scored as a Brass Ensemble, a multitude of parts are provided for any combination of instruments. Flute Ensemble (with Alto and Bass Flute), Clarinet Ensemble (with Alto and Bass Clarinet), and Saxophone Ensemble are all possible as well as a mixed instrumentation. A Brass Score and a Concert Score are included.
Largo (from New World Symphony) - Anton Dvorak (Difficulty: Medium Easy) - $25
Originally scored as a Brass Ensemble, a multitude of parts are provided for any combination of instruments. Flute Ensemble (with Alto and Bass Flute), Clarinet Ensemble (with Alto and Bass Clarinet), and Saxophone Ensemble are all possible as well as a mixed instrumentation. A Brass Score and a Concert Score are included.