"Palace of the Snow Queen" by Jason A. Spraggins Released by Gary P. Gilroy Publications

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https://gpgmusic.com/concert-music/palace-of-the-snow-queen/

LINK:   product information

Evening Star (for concert band)

A piece for concert band Jason A. Spraggins (ASCAP): copyright 2018. Inspired by the poem by Edgar Allan Poe. Based a musical setting of the poem for voice and piano written by Jason Spraggins in 2010.

Evening Star

'Twas noontide of summer,

And mid-time of night;

And stars, in their orbits,

Shone pale, thro' the light

Of the brighter, cold moon,

'Mid planets her slaves,

Herself in the Heavens,

Her beam on the waves.

I gazed awhile On her cold smile;

Too cold- too cold for me-

There pass'd, as a shroud,

A fleecy cloud,

And I turned away to thee,

Proud Evening Star,

In thy glory afar,

And dearer thy beam shall be;

For joy to my heart

Is the proud part

Thou bearest in Heaven at night,

And more I admire

Thy distant fire,

Than that colder, lowly light.

-Edgar Allan Poe

"Palace of the Snow Queen" (for concert band) by Jason Spraggins to be published by Gary P. Gilroy Publications

Jason's piece for concert band, "Palace of the Snow Queen," has been accepted for publication by Gary P. Gilroy Publications.  The piece will also be recorded by the Arizona State Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Jason Caslor.  The piece was inspired by the "The Snow Queen", a tale by Hans Christian Anderson.  

Electronic Demo:

Live 2018 Demo Recording by  Arizona State Wind Ensemble (Dr. Jason Caslor, conductor):

The tale, comprised of seven stories, was first published December 1844.  The seventh story opens in the Palace of the Snow Queen, where two young children defeat the evil Queen through the power of love and friendship. 

Hans Christian Anderson describes the Snow Queen’s Palace, writing…

The walls of the palace were of driving snow, and the windows and doors of cutting winds. There were more than a hundred halls there, according as the snow was driven by the winds. The largest was many miles in extent; all were lighted up by the powerful Aurora Borealis, and all were so large, so empty, so icy cold, and so resplendent! Mirth never reigned there; there was never even a little bear–ball, with the storm for music, while the polar bears went on their hindlegs and showed off their steps. Never a little tea–party of white young lady foxes; vast, cold, and empty were the halls of the Snow Queen. The northern–lights shone with such precision that one could tell exactly when they were at their highest or lowest degree of brightness. In the middle of the empty, endless hall of snow, was a frozen lake; it was cracked in a thousand pieces, but each piece was so like the other, that it seemed the work of a cunning artificer. In the middle of this lake sat the Snow Queen when she was at home; and then she said she was sitting in the Mirror of Understanding, and that this was the only one and the best thing in the world. (Hans Christian Anderson, 1844). 

"Palace of the Snow Queen (for concert band)" by Jason Spraggins

*Click to Hear Demo

Nocturne 3 (The Blue Hour)

"The Starry Night" to be published by Alfred Music

Jason's piece for concert band, "The Starry Night," has been accepted for  publication by Alfred Music and will be a featured piece in the company's 2019 catalog.  The piece will also be recorded in Washington D.C. and included in the catalog's companion demo compilation.  The "Starry Night" was inspired by the famous painting by van Gogh.   It is currently being rehearsed for a debut performance by the Crosby Middle School Band in Louisville, KY.  The band will use the piece for a district concert competition later this semester.  

Concert Band Piece Published By Warming Sun Music

Jason's piece for concert band, "Cibola (Seven Cities of Gold)," has just been published by Warming Sun Music and is available through the J.W. Pepper website among others.

​Warming Sun Music's Description of the Piece:

If you're searching for an exciting opener, look no more. From the first measure to the last, you'll discover dramatic-sounding melodies that are creatively scored against a background of bold rhythms and contemporary harmonies. This piece has all the elements needed to make it popular for many years to come.

"Starry Night" (for concert band)

"The Starry Night" is an original piece for concert band inspired by the famous painting by Van Gogh.  . 

"Behind the Voice" (Spraggins and Brown)

"Behind the Voice" is a song that Andy Brown and I wrote in 2011.  Jon Statham recently produced this demo (www.jonstatham.com).  

The art in the video is by Helen Frankenthaler (December 12, 1928 – December 27, 2011): an American abstract expressionist painter. She was a major contributor to the history of postwar American painting. Having exhibited her work for over six decades (early 1950s until 2011), she spanned several generations of abstract painters while continuing to produce vital and ever-changing new work. (wiki)

Included in the video are two photos of Frankenthaler.  

"CIBOLA (Seven Cities of Gold)" for concert band

An original piece for concert band inspired by the legend of the Seven Cities of Gold.

The Seven Cities of Gold is a myth that led to several expeditions by adventurers and conquistadors in the 16th century. It is also featured in several works of popular culture. According to legend, the seven cities of gold could be found in the Sonoran Desert, Arizona.
(Wikipedia)

HMS Band Students Attend Solo and Ensemble

On March 21st, several of the band students attended a solo and ensemble contest at North Side High School in Jackson where they performed a variety of solos, duets, and trios for judges and were scored.  Scoring ranged from 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest ranking, reserved for the best players.  All together they were awarded 10 ribbons- five "excellent" ratings and five, top scoring, "superior" ratings.  In addition we had two students awarded ribbons for scoring a 3. It was a good day for the HMS Band!

 

Nocturne 2 (In Between)

HMS Band Website....

http://jasonaspraggins.wix.com/hmsband

"Imaginary Friends" Demo Recordings

"Imaginary Friends" is a 2011 song that I wrote with Matt Glickstein.  I wrote the lyrics and Matt the music.  In 2012, it was named a Semi-Finalist in lyrics category of the UK Songwriting Contest.  These demos were recorded earlier this year, and they have been entered into 2014 contest's adult contemporary category. 

 

Solo Recording

 

Duet Recording

Fine Arts Night, 5/12/14

Mr. Spraggins with his 8th Graders

HMS Band performing "School Spirit March"

HMS Band performing "La Cucaracha"

HMS Band performing "Ode to Joy"

Mr. Spraggins and Josh Currie

 

"Prelude"

Here is a short piano piece that I wrote last month called "Prelude"...

http://tindeck.com/listen/mysw

Parade Time!