Novelty / Comedy / Children's

BAROQUE FESTIVAL OVERTURE

by Robert Wendel
New!
Description: A celebration of famous Baroque melodies by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Clark, and others in overture format. Can your audiences name those tunes, from "Masterpiece Theater" to "Hallelujah?"
Instrumentation:2/2/2/2 - 4/3[1st picc in D, 2&3 in C]/2/0 - timp, SD and Strings.
Duration:4:45
Cost:$175 Rental Only.
Notes:Commissioned by The Houston Symphony and Michael Krajewski. Premiered June, 2007.

ORFEO'S "ROCKATTA"

by Monteverdi
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
Cost:$150 Rental Only.

THAT'S IT, THAT'S ALL... THE END!

by Robert Wendel
Description: For your "First Night" concerts, the perfect way to end the year, a medley of 7 famous Symphony finales! Auld Lang Syne is mixed with Schubert, Brahms, Dvorak, Mahler, and Beethoven. A nice way also to say goodbye to a retiring board member, or musician.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:5:40
Cost:$200 Rental Only.

THE CLASSICAL JUKEBOX

by Leroy Anderson
Description: Here is Leroy's famous "take" on the pop tune "Music, Music, Music" by Weiss & Baum... all mixed up with famous classical tunes, and a sticky needle in the Victrola! Newly edited from manuscript with errors corrected, the "stuck" section re-barred for easier playing, and fully engraved for the first time. Premiered by Leonard Slatkin & The National Symphony in May of 2007. Just in time for the Leroy Anderson Centennial in 2008!
Instrumentation:2+picc/2+EH[opt]/2+BCl[opt]/2 - 4/3/2/1 - Timpani, 2 percussion, harp [opt], and strings
Duration:3:00
Cost:$175 Rental Only.

"UNDER THE BIG TOP"

by Robert Wendel
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
Cost:$200 Rental Only.
Notes:Commissioned by The Houston Symphony and Michael Krajewski. Premiered May 24th, 2006.

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:3:10
Cost:$100 Rental Only.

THE APRIL FOOL CONCERTO aka "The Instant Concerto"

by Robert Wendel
Description: What can be said other than that this work lasts over 8 minutes, yet it doesn't have a single original theme in it! It's loaded with quotes Tschaikovsky to Sousa, from "Chop-Sticks" to Happy Birthday, and many "sight-gags" from a wedding to a cowboy gun fight! Truly a piece of comic relief. Mod easy solo piano part.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/2/2/1[opt] - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:8:15
Cost:$200 Rental Only.
Notes:New version commissioned by Erich Kunzel for the Cincinnati Pops

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 one 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
Cost:$175 Rental Only.
Notes:A truly international hit with performances in the USA, Australia, Canada, UK, and Scotland.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (Medley)

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: A midnight showing cult-classic film for nearly 30 years, now revived on Broadway, and available for symphony orchestra at last! Reach out to your younger audiences with this Rock-oriented show score. Songs include: Science Fiction Double Feature, Damn It Janet, Over At The Frankenstein Place, Hot Patootie Bless My Soul, and of course, LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap set, Mark Tree, Xylophone, Glock, Chimes, Tam-Tam and Bass Drum, opt Piano, and Strings
Duration:5:45
Cost:$200 Rental Only
Notes:A student orchestra string set with Vln 1, Vln, 2, Violin 3/Viola, Cello and Bass parts available on request. A truly international hit with performances in the USA, Australia, Canada, UK, and Scotland.

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
Cost:$175 Rental Only.

SWING, LUDWIG, SWING!

by Robert Wendel
Description: Take advantage of the current revival of interest in swing spearheaded by Harry Connick Jr., Tony Bennett, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, "Cherry Poppin' Daddies", and various groups competing in East vs West Coast "SKA" music. Portions of Beethoven's 5th and 9th symphonies are set to full-out hard and fast swing.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:3:20
Cost:$175 Rental Only.

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.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:3:45
Cost:$175 Rental Only

THE SMURFS MARCH

by Hoyt Curtin and arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: The main title and end theme from the popular 1980 animated series that's still being shown regularly to this day on The Cartoon NetworkTM. Orchestrated also to introduce youngsters to the sections of the orchestra: winds, strings, and brass.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:1:50
Cost:$100 Rental Only

JONNY QUEST MARCH

by Hoyt Curtin and arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: The main title and end theme from the popular 1960's animated series, revived in 1996 and still being shown regularly to this day on The Cartoon NetworkTM.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:1:50
Cost:$100 Rental Only

BARNEY'S THEME

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: A diversion for the young fans of the purple dinosaur, but short enough so as not to drive the adults crazy!
Instrumentation:2/2/2/2,4/0/0/0,Timp, glock, triangle, harp & strings.
Duration:1:40
Cost:$100 Purchase Only.

See also; The Snapshot Concertos and The Tale Of Peter Rabbit, by Sean O'Boyle.

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