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Bruce Healey |
Three Chanukah Songs for Children's Choir and Orchestra
| Instrumentation | 3-2-3-2, 4 (4th opt.) -3-3-1, timp +4perc, drum set, hp (opt.), pno, strings |
| Length | 5:00 |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Comments | Three Chanukah Songs begins with a broad and lush instrumental introduction based on "Oh Chanukah". A poignant violin solo ends the introduction and a spirited tempo is set for "Chanukah" sung by the choir (Chanukah, Chanukah, Festival of lights?). The orchestra is then featured and makes a transition to "The Dreidle Song" (I have a little dreidle, I made it out of clay?.) sung by the choir with charming (and brief) solo opportunities - which can be sung as tutti choir. The three verses of the song each modulate and are accompanied by fun, descriptive orchestration that builds to an exciting re-transition to "Oh Chanukah". Now the piece is sung by the choir in a hora-like slow tempo and gradually accelerates to a spirited dance, with full and passionate orchestration.
Featured are a violin duet and an Eb clarinet solo passage. The children's choir parts are written mostly in unison, breaking into two parts occasionally and in three parts for about 32 bars. A simplified (nearly all unison) choir part is available, and the piece could also be performed by an adult choir, just for fun. The piece is 222 bars in length and the duration is approximately 5:00.
Choir parts are also available in voicings for Children’s Choir and SATB Choir.
A version for piano and choir is also available for sale (see Sources). |
| Sources | Available for rent from:
Allsun Music Co. https://www.allsunmusic.com
13636 Ventura Blvd. #662
(818) 219-3737
email: bahealey@pacbell.net |
| Extras | Perusal score and MP3 MIDI version available on request. The Philly Pops has recorded this on their CD A Philly Pops Christmas. |
| History | Played by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Boca Pops, Louisville Orchestra, Evansville Philharmonic, Fox Valley Symphony, Philly Pops, and many more. |
| Contributor | The composer. |
| Other | Other choir options also available. |
Celebration Fanfare
| Instrumentation | 3-2-3-3 (cbsn opt,) 4-4-3-1, timp+4perc, hp, pno/celesta, strings |
| Length | 2:11 |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Comments | Originally written for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, this piece makes a wonderful concert opening. The first theme, featuring the brass section, is up lifting and spirited. The lyrical second theme contrasts the first, featuring the strings and solo trumpet. The first theme then reappears in epic grandeur to complete the form. "Celebration Fanfare" has broad appeal to audiences of all ages. |
| Sources | Available for rent from:
Allsun Music Co. https://www.allsunmusic.com
13636 Ventura Blvd. #662
(818) 219-3737
email: bahealey@pacbell.net |
| Extras | Perusal score and MP3 MIDI version available on request. |
| History | Written for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra in 1992 to celebrate their anniversary. This piece has been played by the Cincinnati Pops, Long Beach Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Baton Rouge Symphony, and many more orchestras. |
| Contributor | The composer. |
| Other | |
American Fantasy - A Tribute To The Patriotism Of George M. Cohan
| Instrumentation | 3-3-3-3, 4-4-3-1, timp+4perc, hp, pno, strings |
| Length | 6:00 |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Comments | This exciting new piece received its World Premiere to standing ovations at the Hollywood Bowl on July 2, 3, & 4, 1999. Beginning and ending with a contemporary, stirring original fanfare, the piece is orchestrated for maximum dramatic impact and entertainment value. Bruce Healey develops two favorite themes of George M. Cohan - "I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "You're A Grand Old Flag - via a "melting pot" of styles, and delivers a surprise excerpt of "The Star Spangled Banner" along the way. Perusal Score and synth mockup reference recording available upon request. The program notes read: "This is a new piece for the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and, as the title states it is in honor of the American patriot, George M. Cohan. I have always been impressed by true and sincere patriotism. It is an expression of gratitude for the freedom we have in the United States of America. I wrote the piece as a "melting pot" of styles unique to the U.S.A. Starting and ending with an original fanfare inspired by great Hollywood Bowl Orchestra music of past and present, it reflects my own American musical instincts. The piece reveals songs of Cohan in a variety of entertaining ways. I admired the fact the Cohan was unabashed in his homage to American folk themes such as Yankee Doodle, and The Star Spangled Banner, and I seized the opportunity to take this approach a step, or two, further." |
| Sources | Available for rent from:
Allsun Music Co. https://www.allsunmusic.com
13636 Ventura Blvd. #662
(818) 219-3737
email: bahealey@pacbell.net |
| Extras | Perusal score and MP3 MIDI version available on request. |
| History | Commissioned by John Maucieri & The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. |
| Contributor | The composer. |
| Other | |
Saints!!!
| Instrumentation | 3-2-3-2, 4 (4th opt.) -3-3-1, timp +4perc, drum set, hp (opt.), pno, strings |
| Length | 6:10 |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Comments | A fun and flashy medley of Saints tunes (When The Saints Go Marchin' In, St. Louis Blues, St. James Infirmary Blues). The piece features a Dixieland ensemble (clarinet, trumpet, trombone & rhythm section) from within the orchestra. All parts are completely notated. improvisation is optional. |
| Sources | Available for rent from:
Allsun Music Co. https://www.allsunmusic.com
13636 Ventura Blvd. #662
(818) 219-3737
email: bahealey@pacbell.net |
| Extras | Perusal score and MP3 MIDI version available on request. |
| History | This piece was originally written for the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. It has been a crowd pleasing staple of their repertoire ever since. Commissioned by John Maucieri & The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in 1994 and has been played by dozens of orchestras throughout the US including Indianapolis Symphony, Boca Pops, Stamford Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Columbus Symphony, Baton Rouge Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony. Conductors - Michael Krajewski, Crafton Beck, Alfred Savia, Janna Hymes-Bianchi, George Schramm and many more. |
| Contributor | The composer. |
| Other | |
A Ragtime Romp (for Solo Piano, String Bass, Drum Set and Orchestra)
| Instrumentation | 2-Picc-2-2-2-4-3-3-Tuba-Timp.-Perc. 1, G.C. Sus. Cym.,Tri., Perc. 2, Temple Blks., Xylo. - Harp(Optional) - Solo Piano, String Bass, Drum Set - Stgs. |
| Length | 5:05 - 293 bars |
| Difficulty | Solo piano is medium difficulty, Orchestra is professional level, medium difficulty |
| Comments | This piece is arranged by Bruce Healey
This setting of two well known Rags, from 1909 (Wild Cherries) and 1908 (Black and White) respectively, feature the solo pianist with the addition of a rhythm section of string bass and drum set. It is a mini concerto, if you will, that is dedicated to ragtime players everywhere.
The solo piano part is a guide and is not expected to be played verbatum. The soloist may alter the part in an improvisatory manner as indicated by the "ad lib" indications, but will stay true to the structure of the arrangement. If desired, the soloist may insert an improvised cadenza following bar 290. Bar 290 in that case serves as the jumping off point for the cadenza. The soloist should play a pre-planned "cue", determined in rehearsal, for the conductor to resume the orchestra at bar 291 and play to the end. The drum set part is similarly a guide. Played as is, the drum part will resemble what a traditional Dixieland drummer might play. The overall stylistic approach of the piano, bass and drums should be in the direction of a Dixieland Jazz group playing a ragtime song. The orchestra should take the same stylistic approach (but without the improvisation, of course). Except where marked, the 16th notes should "swing" as the tempo allows but not be forced, and the 8th notes should be marcato. |
| Sources | Available for rent from:
Allsun Music Co. https://www.allsunmusic.com
13636 Ventura Blvd. #662
(818) 219-3737
email: bahealey@pacbell.net |
| Extras | |
| History | |
| Contributor | Bruce Healey |
| Other | |
A Caroling We Go! (for Children's Choir, Handbell Choir (optional) and Symphony Orchestra)
| Instrumentation | 2-Picc.-2-E.H.2-BCl.-2C.B. - 4-4-3-1-Timp.- Perc 1, Temple Blks., Whip, G.C. Cym. Tamb. Tam Tam, Piatti, Perc 2, Tri, Sleigh Bells, Sus Cym., S.D. wBrushes, Hand Dr. Perc 3, Chimes, Xylo, Bells, Vibes (sub for handbells choir), Handbell Choir, Celesta (sub for Handbell choir) Children's Choir, Stgs. |
| Length | 5:00 - 257 bars |
| Difficulty | Children's choir is medium difficulty, Handbell choir is medium difficulty, Orchestra is professional level medium difficulty |
| Comments | This arrangement is by Bruce Healey.
This contains 5 holiday carols: Here We Come A Wassailing, Over The River And Through The Woods, Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella, Pat A Pan, Jolly Old St. Nicholas. There are fun and interesting interludes to show off the orchestra between songs. The orchestration supports the choir in a variety of interesting ways appropriate to each song. The Handbell Choir parts are also covered in Celesta, Vibes and Harp if no Handbell choir is available.
A version for piano and choir is also available for sale (see Sources). |
| Sources | Available for rent from:
Allsun Music Co. https://www.allsunmusic.com
13636 Ventura Blvd. #662
(818) 219-3737
email: bahealey@pacbell.net |
| Extras | Perusal score and MP3 MIDI version available on request. |
| History | Similar to but not the same as "Caroling Fun" which may be heard on the CD "Christmastime Is Here" by the Cincinnati Pops on Telarc Records. The ending is different on this piece. |
| Contributor | Bruce Healey |
| Other | |
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