Music For Young Peoples's Concerts

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Here is a wide variety of music suitable for ages 5 through 14 that is designed to delight while educating young audiences. Our selections employ a wide variety of music from many different sources. All selections are very attractively priced, and our generous "sliding scale" won't break your budget especially when multiple concerts are involved.

MP3 Title Composed (Arranged)
Balli Il Tarantella   (Perfect for a concert about dance and dances from around the world.) (Robert Wendel)
Caribbean Sleigh Ride   (A sleigh ride in warm weather? Why not stretch young imaginations?) Robert Wendel
The Flintstones Meet The Jetsons   (2 iconic cartoon families come together in this high energy medley.) (Robert Wendel)
The Orange Blossom Special  (The timeless fiddler's tune with surprises along the way.)   (Robert Wendel)
Orfeo's "Rockatta"   (The fanfare from the first opera 400 years ago updated to a rock music vernacular.)    Robert Wendel
Parade Of The Percussionists   (A march for the percussion accompanied by the rest of the orchestra.) Robert Wendel
The Poltergeist Polka   (A fun and noisy dance for orchestra that is sure to delight.) Robert Wendel
Reel Kool   (2 Cajun reels for orchestra, this can be performed with clog dancers as well!) David Culross
Ride Of The Headless Horseman   (Spooky forest sounds, thundering hooves all to fire young imaginations.)    Robert Wendel
Romp For Symphony Orch and Celebrity Triangulist   (Bring your triangle player front and center!)    Richard Chiarappa
Swing Ludwig, Swing!  (Introduce your audience to swing music with this mix Beethoven and Benny Goodman.)   (Robert Wendel)
Take Flight   (A salute to the Wright brothers, our astronauts and anyone with a dream.) Robert Wendel
The Tall Ships   (A musical picture of ships, sailors, and explorers sailing towards the unknown.) Robert Wendel
Trick Or Treat   (A short tone poem about going from house to house looking for Halloween candy.) Robert Wendel
Under The Big Top   (A trip to the circus as it used to be: under the big top!) Robert Wendel
Uptown Express   (A ride on a subway express train with all the noises fast trains make.) Robert Wendel

Detailed listings

RIDE OF THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN

by Robert Wendel
Description: An original composition based on the Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. Creepy sounds of the foggy forrest, the clock strikes midnight, the horse rears up, and the chase is on until the Headless Horseman traps Ichabod Crane on the covered bridge and "the deed is done!"
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap set, Mark Tree, Xylophone, Glock, Chimes, Tam-Tam, Triangle, Piatti and Bass Drum, Harp, and Strings
Duration:5:15
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com

PARADE OF THE PERCUSSIONISTS

by Robert Wendel
Description: A new, original march FOR the percussion section accompanied by the orchestra. A great surprise for any Pops concert, and perfect for Young People's Concerts. Exactly how many percussionists you use depends on how "athletic" they can be...which can make for good "visuals" too!
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 and strings PLUS Timpani, Trap Drums, 3-4 percussion, opt. piano
Duration:3:50
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

BALLI IL TARANTELLA!

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: Everybody dance the tarantella! A blend of the "Neapolitan Tarantella" and "Funiculi, Funicula." Also appropriate for a "June Bride" theme since this music shows up at every wedding reception you'll ever attend!
Instumentation:2+picc/2/2+ B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:3:35
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each)..

CARIBBEAN SLEIGH RIDE

by Robert Wendel
Description: A sleigh ride of a totally different type, it evokes Latin rhythms, blue skies and turquoise seas where snow is seen only in pictures. This work would be a total surprise on a Latin flavored concert indeed.
Comments: Premiere cycle included: The Orlando Philharmonic, Grand Rapids Symphony, Anderson Symphony, Desert Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Johnstown Symphony, Richardson Symphony, and TV broadcast premiere by The Flint Symphony. NOW a truly International "hit" with 31 performances in Canada, Ireland, and Scotland, as well.
Comments: "Not that there weren't fun surprises among the Christmas fare, too: A percussive bounce permeated "Caribbean Sleigh Ride" by Robert Wendel as island-flavored snippets of carols such as "Jingle Bells" bubbled over the beat." — Matt Palm - The Orlando Sentinel Nov. 27, 2010
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2+ opt B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - 3-4 percussion, harp[opt], piano[opt], and strings
Duration:4 minutes
Rental Fee:$220/+$110/+$55 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each)..
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com.

SWING, LUDWIG, SWING!

by Robert Wendel
Description: Here is a salute to Beethoven's 5th and 9th Symphonies in the style of Benny Goodman's swing classic "Sing, Sing, Sing." For some 2 decades now, this selection has never failed to bring audiences to their feet yelling and cheering (and asking where they can buy the track!) which is now available on Amazon.com.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:3:20
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com

TAKE FLIGHT

by Robert Wendel
Watch YouTube Video
Description: An original composition written to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first powered flight, this work celebrates everyone who dares to dream.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2+opt B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:5:20
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

THE TALL SHIPS

by Robert Wendel
Description: An original tone picture by Robert Wendel that evokes the spirit of the early maritime explorers, the wind in the sails, sea chanties, and waves crashing on the ship's bow.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp, Celeste and strings
Duration:5:55
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes: "Robert Wendel's 'The Tall Ships' proved a cinematic extravaganza, the soundtrack for tall ships sailed by old salts." - JEFFREY KACZMARCZYK, The GR Press July 29,2011
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com

UPTOWN EXPRESS

by Robert Wendel
Watch YouTube Video
Description: This is a fusion work combining elements of classical, jazz, minimalism and polytonality into a musical impression of a ride on the subway complete with squealing wheels, "click-clack" of rail joints, random metallic noises and even the "ding-dong" warning of the doors closing. Many listeners have also commented that this work has the feel of "gamer music" and should appeal to video game enthusiasts of all ages, so this would be perfect on a young people's concert about machine and other descriptive music.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2+EHn(opt)/2+BCl/2+Cbn(opt) - 4/3/3/1 - Timp, Traps + 2 perc, Piano(opt), Harp and Strings
Duration:6:45
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: The famous fiddler's tune about an old time steam train with bits of Choo-Choo Charlie, Flight of the Bumble Bee, I've Been Working On The RailRoad, and Chattanooga Choo-Choo.
Comments: "I believe the hit of the evening was the "Orange Blossom Special", featuring the country music style of the "fiddle section" of the orchestra." — The Rapid City Journal
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:3:10
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

ROMP FOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND "CELEBRITY" TRIANGULIST

by Richard Chiarappa
Description: A comic "mini-concerto" for triangle and orchestra that can be a great way to raise funds by auctioning off the solo spot, or just to draw attention and audience to a concert by featuring a local "celebrity" like your Mayor, TV Weather Reporter, or Business or Civic figure. In any case, it's all in good fun, and perfect for the spirit of New Year's Eve!
Instrumentation:2/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - timp, perc and Strings.
Duration:About 2:30
Rental Fee:$120/+$60/+$30 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes:A video performance can be viewed HERE

"UNDER THE BIG TOP"

by Robert Wendel
Watch YouTube Video
Description: Bring on the trapeze artists, the elephants, dogs and ponies and, of course, the clowns! They are all here in this new medley that's sure to be fun for all!
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/2/3/1 Timpani, 3 percussion, and strings
Duration:6:25
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes:Commissioned by The Houston Symphony and Michael Krajewski. Premiered May 24th, 2006.

REEL KOOL

Arr.: David Culross
Description: Be it a Celtic, Scottish, or American Country theme, this medley of "Reel Saint-Joseph" and "Reel Saint-Antoine" for 2 violins and orchestra will have toes tapping and hands clapping. Add Irish or clog dancers too if you wish... just have fun with this one!
Instrumentation:2-2-2-2/4-3-3-1/timp +3 and strings with 2 solo violins.
Duration:Approximately 3:05
Rental Fee:$160/+$80/+$40 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each)..

THE POLTERGEIST POLKA

by Robert Wendel
Description: Poltergeist: noun: "a ghost or other supernatural being supposedly responsible for physical disturbances such as loud noises and objects thrown around." Well, this piece certainly fits that definition, with loud noises, whistles, bangs and more. Great fun for any audience.
Instumentation:2+picc/2/2+ B Cl/2+CBsn - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-4 percussion, opt banjo, and strings
Duration:3:00
Rental Fee:$190/+$95/+$47.50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each)..

TRICK OR TREAT

by Robert Wendel
Description: This work harks back to a simpler time when children went from house to house yelling "trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat, give us something good to eat!" Along the way, they pick up friends, spend a little time in the local "haunted house" and then resume their trip. Finally, someone scares them but good, and they all scatter to their respective homes to enjoy the fruits of their Halloween night.
Instrumentation:2/2/2/2 - 0/0/0/0 - Xylophone, Snare Drum, Susp Cymbal, and Strings
Duration:3:40
Rental Fee:$125/+$62.50/+$31.25 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each)..

TRICK OR TREAT - "Peter and the Wolf Orchestration"

by Robert Wendel
Description: This is an alternate orchestration of the above work to share a program with "Peter and the Wolf." Specify the "Peter orchestration" when ordering.
Instrumentation:1/1/1/1 - 3/1/0/0 - Xylophone, Snare Drum, Susp Cymbal, and Strings
Duration:3:40
Rental Fee:$125/+$62.50/+$31.25 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each)..

ORFEO'S "ROCKATTA"

by Monteverdi, adapted by Robert Wendel
Description: 2007 marked the 400th anniversary of what is considered to be the first "modern" opera, so I've "updated" the Toccatta from Monteverdi's "Orfeo" for the pop/rock generation, complete with a development section. Terrific for Pops AND Young People's Concerts, ESPECIALLY if you open the concert with the first 14 bars (as Monteverdi wrote it) then close the concert with the FULL work. Four hundred years then comes full circle!
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap set, Chimes, Glock, Tam-Tam, Piatti and Bass Drum, and Strings
Duration:2:45
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each)..

THE FLINTSTONES MEET THE JETSONS

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: Two of television most famous cartoon families meet face-to-face in a virtuoso medley guaranteed to delight adults and children alike. Still broadcast daily on the "Boomerang" channel.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:3:45
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

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