DEVELOPING YOUR INSTRUMENTAL GROUP by Steve Kirby
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Instrumental Literature (Part 1) Of all the responses I have received concerning the instrumental articles for MMEMail, music literature was the greatest need. So, let me bring an update as to what is out there and where to go and get it.
I believe Genevox is now the "standard" for church instrumental music. Mark Johnson (instrumental consultant for Lifeway) and Camp Kirkland, have been key players in bringing new innovations to Genevox and, eventually, to our congregations. The "Jubilation" and "Celebration" Series contain some of the very best arrangements and arrangers in church instrumental music today. The "Solo Celebration Series" (instrumental solo with full orchestra accompaniment) is excellent. Richard Kingsmore's "Power Praise Series" has raised the bar for worship bands. A recent addition to their catalog, the "Sacred Concert Band Series," is breaking new ground as they meet the needs of high school and college wind ensembles with "festival" caliber arrangements. The "John Gage Orchestra Series," originally written for the First Baptist Atlanta Sanctuary Orchestra, is a great blend of arrangements from easy to challenging, from small ensemble to symphonic orchestra. The newest series is the "Exaltation
Series." It is similar to the Hope Publishing Another series available is the "Four + Rhythm Series," by Tom Payne. It is similar to the "Exaltation Series" except that the rhythm section (at least piano) is required for the arrangements to work properly. These are less formal arrangements than the "Exaltation Series" and would be especially good for young groups. I just got this series for our youth orchestra and they love it! Genevox arrangements are available from most mainline distributors: Kempke Music, Pine Lake Music, J&J Music, and as well as ordering direct from the publisher. |
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Instrumental Literature (Part 2)
Word Entertainment, for many years, has been a great resource for church instrumental groups. Their best efforts have been through two series; one designed for less experienced groups (Sunday Sound Series) and one for more advanced groups (Coronation Series). Each series contains dozens of hymn-tune arrangements as well as popular scripture choruses and contemporary songs. They also have great arrangements for special services and events such as Christmas, Lord's Supper, July 4th, etc. The arrangers are church instrumental directors. They understand what works (and what does not work) in a church situation and apply that knowledge to their writing. Word Entertainment has three instrument solo collections with piano and/or track accompaniment. "The Grace Note Series" is designed for moderate skill level players. The two "Classic Hymns Series" are arrangements as performed by Phil Driscol. They have cassette or CD tracks. The "Lift High the Lord Series" is designed for advanced skill level players (with CD or cassette tracks available). Word also has the "Anita Kerr Hallelujah Brass!" collection, written for (can you guess) brass ensemble. These are timeless arrangements and can be challenging for your group. You can find Word's instrumental arrangements at most mainline distributors and you can order directly from Word - 1-800-933-9673. Catalogs and studio demo listening cassettes or CDs are available. |
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Instrumental Literature (Part 3)
Allegis, with the addition of Ed Hogan to their staff, has established themselves as a major contributor to church instrumental literature. Their catalog is constantly expanding to meet the needs of our groups with hymns, choruses, contemporary, traditional and seasonal materials. Their arrangers are household names for those who know instrumental music: Camp Kirkland, Steve Dunn, Ed Dickinson, Ed Hogan, David Winkler, Jeff Cranfill and Marty Hamby, just to name a few. Allegis "Church Orchestra Series" is divided into three distinct groups: Platinum - arrangements written for the advanced orchestra. A full compliment of players are needed to make these great arrangements happen, with the exclusion of strings (a string reduction part is provided). Gold - written for the medium to advanced group. Geared to be played after one or two rehearsals (with a good high school caliber group). Silver - written for the young or developing ensemble. Even though these arrangements are designed for smaller groups or less experienced players, they work well with advanced groups. One of Allegis' latest endeavors is their "Praise Band" Series. These arrangements are not for the "faint of heart"! Your group will need some quality rehearsal time to do these arrangements properly, but it will be worth it! Written for rhythm, 2 trumpets, alto sax, tenor sax and trombone, there is an optional flute part and a few substitution parts. The "Brasscapes" and "Windscapes" are a must-see (or listen)! "Brasscapes" is scored for 2 trumpets, F horn, 3 trombones and tuba with optional percussion and sub. parts provided. It is also scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, F horn and bassoon. Optional parts allow saxophones to join in the fun! You can get Allegis' instrumental arrangements from most mainline distributors and directly from Allegis at (816) 931-1900. Catalogs and studio demo listening cassettes or CDs are available. |
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Instrumental Literature (Part 4)
A few years ago, Jeff Anderson teamed up with Aaron Weitekamp to form AnderKamp Music. Since its inception, AnderKamp has produced quality arrangements for brass groups. On the website now is a FREE arrangement to download, plus many other downloads (including their catalog). AnderKamp Music's staple is brass quintet arrangements. The "Master's Brass Series" has 40+ titles - hymns to scripture choruses. These arrangements are designed to sound good with any assortment of brass players. And they do! I even know someone that used these arrangements for a saxophone ensemble! AnderKamp does provide optional parts for woodwinds and a piano reduction part. "Jericho Horns Swinging" is an 11-tune series...classic hymns in jazz/swing style. Even if you don't buy an arrangement, get the recording. It is awesome! Nashville's "first call" studio players did the demo recording and it sizzles! These charts can be played with as few as 1 trumpet, 1 alto sax, 1 trombone and rhythm. Substitute parts and written-out piano and bass parts provided. These charts are attainable by good high school players. AnderKamp's newest addition to their catalog
is "Peaceful Moments for Piano - |
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Instrumental Literature (Part 5)
Tom Payne is the minister of music, FBC, Modesto, CA, and has been involved in church instrumental music for over 20 years. Besides a full catalog of music for his own company, he has many of his arrangements published by Genevox/Word and has received awards for his arranging. Tom will "tailor-make" any arrangement in the Barncharts catalog to fit your instrumentation without paying custom fees! You can listen to most of Barncharts' arrangements online (thru Real Player) and order right then. It's a great way to shop! Tom has three volumes of his "Praise Band Series" called "Praise Jam." These charts are very playable and they sound great! Rehearsal time will depend on the caliber of your group. They can be played with as few as 1 trumpet, 1 alto sax, 1 trombone and piano. The more players you add to that, the bigger the sound. Titles include hymns and scripture choruses in contemporary styles. Barncharts also has a solo series entitled
"Solo Praise Jam." These are not reworked arrangements
from the "Praise Jam" series, but are arrangements
written specifically as solo literature with rhythm (piano as
a minimum). Sam Levine (Nashville session player and Christian
artist) and Robert Sterling (Nashville choral and instrumental
writer/arranger, producer) are a few of the arrangers that collaborated
with Tom on this series. The solo Barncharts Music arrangements are available through Pine Lake Music (Scott Revo at www.pinelakemusic.com) and directly from Barncharts. |
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Instrumental Literature (Part 6)
George Frink is Carol Press. His vast experience and knowledge has given him a great platform for bringing Carol Press to place where it is today. His "The Orchestra Series" consists of hymn-tune arrangements in a reverent, worshipful style. They also work well for offertories, Lord's Supper, and range from easy to medium-difficult. George arranged the majority of this series. Arrangers in the "Brass Ensemble" and "Brass Choir" series include: Stan Pethel, Glenn Eernisse and Robert T. Knox. These arrangements range from easy to medium-difficult, quiet and worshipful to bombastic. The Brass Ensemble charts require 4-6 players to sound effective. Lots of substitute parts are included. The Brass Choir charts have more defined requirements: 3 trumpets, 2 horns, 3 trombones and tuba. Carol Press can also meet your need with music accessories, such as Manhasset music stands (at a discount), batons, metronomes, tuners. George has also published several books from different aspects of church music including instrumental ensembles. His catalog and flyers are available by calling 800.942.7407. |
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Instrumental Literature (Part 7)
Have you ever had the need to order an
orchestration - only to find out that it's out of print? Enter
Ron Cobb! A fine trumpet player in his own right (plays in Jim
Gray's orchestra at The People's Church, Franklin, TN), Ron began
his Nashville career in 1978 as a copyist for Ronn Huff, Don
Marsh and others. His business grew to printing of music as well
as copying. Several major publishing companies utilize his services.
Over the years, his So, if you're looking for the orchestrations from Clydesdale's "The Day He Wore My Crown" to Camp Kirkland's "Solid Brass Series," from Ronn Huff's "Exaltation" to Don Marsh's "To Be An American," you've now found it! Ron's company just purchased a state-of-the-art digital duplicator. What does that mean to you? Print quality is "first generation" - no copy lines - good contrast (not faded around the edges). Ron's distribution manager, John Paise, is more than eager to help you find what you're looking for. Obviously, you cannot purchase these arrangements at mainline distributors because everything they have is out of print! Go to his web site for more details. |
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Instrumental Literature (Part 8)
Jeff is Associate MoM, Red Bank BC, Chattanooga, TN, and has been involved in church and Christian school instrumental music for 13+ years. Jeff has a flare for creating "wind ensemble" sonorities through his arranging of hymn tunes and scripture choruses and has received first place in the Metro Instrumental Director Arranging Contest. His arrangements are published by Genevox, Word and Allegis. His company is an overflow of what has been published. Jeff's "Sanctuary Orchestra Series" is a collection of hymns, choruses and novelty songs (I really like his "A Very Veggie Tales Medley"). He supplies all instrumental parts, including all standard church orchestra doublings. I would categorize his arrangements as easy to medium difficult. These arrangements work best with a medium to large group (15 +). Jeff's "9-Plus Series" is exactly what its title means: fully orchestrated hymns and medleys, playable by as few as any two woodwinds (flute, oboe, clarinet), F-Horn (or alto sax), two trumpets, two trombones (tenor sax, baritone TC or bass clarinet), C-Bass (bass, cello, bassoon, tuba or bari sax) and piano. These arrangements are geared to the less experienced ensemble, but sound great with any caliber group. The "Solo & Ensemble Series" is growing as well. There are more than a dozen arrangements, from string quartet to brass choir with percussion. There's even a piece for woodwinds and handbells. Check it out! His newest releases are in his "Gospel Praise Band Series" (only a few right now, but more to come later). These charts are arranged primarily for downsized brass section with two saxophones and rhythm. However, Jeff supplies optional parts for the rest of the orchestra, including strings. You can find Jeff's music through Pine Lake Music or Jeff Cranfill Music (check previous addresses). You can listen to his arrangements on the Internet (through Real Audio) or ask for demo recordings. |
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