Thomas J. West Music

All of these pieces are copyright Thomas J. West and are available for purchase. If you are interested in any of these works or would like to see a copy of the score on .pdf file, please contact Mr. West.

Robot Dance (2006) grade 1

NEWLY PUBLISHED!

This piece is intended for beginner band. It depicts the angular movements associated with the title. The middle section is intended to teach pulse awareness and rhythmic independence. The piece centers around C minor and F minor. Live recording by Washington Township High School Wind Ensemble, Sewell, NJ. This piece will be published by TRN Music in 2008 and available through the publisher or through J.W. Pepper.

Listen: (mp3, 1MB) Available for purchase soon

Snowscape (2008) Grade 3

This piece was written for the Hughesville High School Spartan Band, Hugheville, Pennsylvania, Mark Boyer, director. This programmatic work depicts a northern PA snowstorm - from the first few flakes falling, to a bit of "mixed precipitation," ending with a final snowflake. The percussion sounds in the middle of the midi file are intended to be a gradual progression of finger snaps and thigh slaps that simulate an approaching and retreating hailstorm.

Listen: (mp3, 3 MB)

$50.00

Diamond Dance (2008) grade 3

This piece was written for the Warren Local High School Band, Vincent, Ohio, Christopher Foster, director. A lyrical beginning depicts the still beauty and brilliance of a diamond. The sonorities melt into a dance with triple and compound meters. The dance is slowly lost in the recurrence of the original sonority, followed by a high energy finish as the diamond is cut to perfection. Live recording by the Warren Local High School Wind Ensemble, Chris Foster, director.

Listen: (mp3, 3 MB)

$50.00

The Melting Pot (2008) grade 4

March Reversio (2007) grade 3

This march is backwards - literally. It begins with the 2nd ending of the final strain (including the "stinger") and follows standard march form in reverse. The classic role of each instrument is also turned upside-down, with the horns and saxes playing melody and countermelody rather than those pesky upbeats, the low brass with melodic content, and the trumpets and woodwinds getting some of those "oom-pahs" instead! It is a great tool to teach students about march form and a chance to play a different musical role in the performing of a classic march. The trio section is in concert Eb and the second and first strains (in that order) are in Bb, ending with a typical march introduction!

Listen: (mp3, 2MB)

$50.00

We Remember (2003) Grade 2

This piece was commissioned in memory of William H. Bird, the patriarch of Muncy, Pennsylvania and the Muncy Junior/Senior High Band's number one fan. He was the town weatherman, Santa, and a former soprano bugler in the Keystoners Drum and Bugle Corps. The chorale theme is based on the hymn tune "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," which breaks into a march-like section with a bugler's theme in the trumpets playing against strains of "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" in the woodwinds. It was originally performed by a band consisting of students grades 7-12 of two flutes, two clarinets, two alto saxophones, one tenor saxophone, one baritone saxophone, three trumpets, one trombone, one baritone, one tuba, and four percussion. Because of the large ability range, the range of the brass parts are more advanced than most works designated grade 2. Live recording by Washington Township High School Wind Ensemble, Sewell NJ.

Listen: (mp3, 4 MB)

$50.00

Fanfare for a Transition (2004) grade 2

This piece describes the emotions related to any life transition, such as graduating from high school. The initial harmony is quartal, followed by a short theme in Eb minor depicting uncertainty. The mood switches to eager anticipation and centers around Db major to the end. It was originally performed by a band with students in grades 7 to 12 which consisted of two flutes, two clarinets, two alto saxophones, one tenor saxophone, one baritone saxophone, three trumpets, one trombone, one baritone, one tuba, and four percussion. Because of the wide range of ability, the ranges of the first trumpet, french horn, and trombone parts are higher than is normally accepted for grade 2. Live recording by Washington Township High School Wind Ensemble, Sewell, NJ.

Listen: (mp3, 1 MB)

$50.00

Jingle Bells? (2005) grade 3