tag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:/blogs/blog?p=2BLOG2022-04-25T13:54:43-12:00tomdaviscomposer.comfalsetag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/59883362022-04-25T13:54:43-12:002023-10-16T02:54:35-12:00Concerto for Tuba No. 1 PSM#66 by Tom Davis<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em><strong>Concerto for Tuba No. 1 PSM #66 by Tom Davis</strong></em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em><strong>Concerto for Tuba No. 1</strong></em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><ul> <li><strong><a href="http://www.tomdaviscomposer.com/audio/s/tuba_concerto_mvt_i" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Movement I </span></a></strong></li> <li><a href="http://www.tomdaviscomposer.com/audio/s/tuba_concerto_mvt_ii" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Movement</span> II</span></strong></a></li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.tomdaviscomposer.com/audio/s/tuba_concerto_mvt_iii" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Movement</span> III</span></a></strong></li>
</ul></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial black,gadget,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>Get the Solo Tuba Part!</strong></span><br><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whether you are interested in playing the Concerto with band, or would just like to practice the music, I</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> would be happy to send you a PDF of the solo part. Feel free to email me today at <strong><a href="mailto:musicman11159@mac.com" target="_blank">musicman11159@mac.com<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></a></strong></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">and I will send it out to you</span> ASAP!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">No Charge! </span></p>
<p> </p>tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/64163142020-08-24T11:46:54-12:002022-04-25T13:49:25-12:00EERO'S DREAM <p><strong>EERO'S DREAM <br>The Vision of an Architect's </strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/395073/6caf4f6d049390b9b4d2e1d3ac4bfc8854699f09/original/arch.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></strong><em>Commissioned by the 2007-2008 <br>St. Louis, Missouri Metropolitan District Eight <br>Middle School Jazz Ensemble </em></p>
<p><br>Eero's Dream is about the Gateway Arch. I have never seen this monument in person but I have been researching the structure and its meaning since Mr. Jeff Pottinger from Chaminade Preparatory School contacted me to write this piece. </p>
<p>There are some interesting facts that helped me construct the work. For example - the structure is in the form of a Cantilever Arch, the shape that a chain takes when suspended from both ends. If you listen carefully to the piece it takes on what composers call an Arch Form - meaning that the beginning and the end are similar while the middle of the piece rises to an exciting high point. </p>
<p>Another fact that inspired me as I began working on the piece was its size. It is 630 feet tall and 630 feet wide. I used the numbers 6 and 3 to represent melodic intervals so you should notice that there are a number of 3rds and 6ths in the melody. (I used the 0 to represent a step or change of direction in the melody). </p>
<p>If I were to describe a plot line that was the inspiration for the mood of this piece it would be something like this: Imagine standing at the base of the Arch looking up at the top. Then, suddenly you were able to slowly and silently lift from the ground and view the Arch from any angle or height. This piece is about that imaginary trip. Floating, circling, viewing - EXHILARATION at the top - and settling back to the ground with a new perspective and respect for the structure and the men who built it. </p>
<p>So now, I ask you - What does Eero have to do with any of this? Email me at tom@tomdavismusic.com and I will post your comments "Blog Style" on this page. </p>
<p>PERFORMANCE TIPS <br>Here are a few concepts or tips that will help you get the concept the way I want it. </p>
<p>DRUMS Use bundled rattan sticks like the <br>Pro Mark Cool Rod or Lightening Rod Sticks. Also - please PRACTICE WITH THE AUDIO FILE! </p>
<p>SYNTH Look for a Warm Pad on your Synth - General Midi Number 90 or 91. </p>
<p>SOLOISTS I uploaded and audio file that has a loop of the chord changes. <br>For a worksheet on Improvisation please click the following link. I it is a tutorial on improvising within one key center. It is worth the read as it will give you some great insight on the approach to improvising on this tune. <br>Eero's Dream Improvisation Tips</p>5:10tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/64163092020-08-24T11:42:42-12:002022-04-25T13:49:55-12:00DAY IS DONE<p><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><strong>DAY IS DONE An Anthem for the living</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/395073/12682f5065e1dd442250e17eb3f8a89b6fc5af41/original/day-is-done.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Music is about communicating emotion from one person’s heart to another person’s soul and this rendition of the musical prayer “taps” is meant to do just that. However, this re-composition of the homage is intended more as an anthem for the living – those men and women who are or have served our nation in uniform to protect our freedom. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2c3e50;">This composition was first performed as part of a patriotic prism concert produced by the Canandaigua Academy Music Department entitled “Passing the Torch of Freedom” April 25, 2008 at the River Oak Church in Chesapeake Virginia. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2c3e50;">The transitional material for that program consisted of excerpts of audio interviews from the WHOR radio special, Hampton Roads Heroes, produced by Michelle Gabrielle-Harrell.” The words of WWII Veteran Colonel Edward Shames of 3rd Platoon Easy Company (the subject of the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers) provide a poignant reflection on his commitment to his men as they prepared to stand up for OUR Freedom. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2c3e50;">I would like to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of my Flowers for Algernon CD, Eventual Downloads of this song, and the Jazz Ensemble arrangement to my local DAR. Chapter. I will let you know how that is going soon! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Tom Davis </span></p>5:56tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/59883332020-08-24T11:36:50-12:002022-05-27T22:56:06-12:00Piano Vignettes - Vignette 15<p>Composer Piano Vignettes.</p>
<p>Simple line drawings in music...</p>
<p>.......brief</p>
<p> .........improvisations</p>
<p> ..........on an idea.</p>
<p><strong>This track from the<a contents=" Piano Reflections CD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="album" href="/album/1697875/piano-reflections-no-1" style="" target="_blank"><span style="color:#3498db;"> Piano Reflections CD</span></a></strong></p>
<p><br><br> </p>2:03tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/59883302020-08-24T11:33:31-12:002022-04-25T13:52:02-12:00Tuba Concerto Mvt 1<p>I am working on a Tuba Concerto for Michael Salzman, Tuba and Euphonium instructor at Hosftra University.<br><a href="http://www.tomdaviscomposer.com/audio/s/tuba_concerto_mvt_i" target="_blank"><strong>LISTEN TO MOVEMENT I HERE>>></strong></a><br>The photo depicts the pending formal structure of movement III</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/395073/b74d4746dbe34d9621eaf31a16be43a53de28edd/original/tuba-iii-form.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjE2eDYyIl0%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="62" width="216" /></p>tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/59883392020-08-24T11:33:04-12:002022-04-25T13:52:35-12:00THERE IS NO SONG AS SWEET ... As Home Sweet Home<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/395073/5fa5521dd8feb56fa6bdd673e0fc2aef80b67063/original/tom-writing.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Njh4NDUiXQ%3D%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="45" style=" margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" width="68" />THERE IS NO SONG AS SWEET (...as Home Sweet Home)</strong></span><br>I was inspired to write this ballad while visiting the Darwin Martin Home in Buffalo NY. It is a Frank Lloyd Wright house and as such beautifully constructed. Darwin Martin had a lonely childhood as a result of a broken home. After he became successful businessman he commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to create a home in which his own family could live in a warm and peaceful setting. The title of the ballad is a quote from Darwin Martin. He wrote: "There is no song as sweet as Home Sweet Home".</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="no" height="137" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257793910&color=0066cc&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="623"></iframe></p>tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/64163002020-08-24T11:25:06-12:002022-04-25T13:53:46-12:00HOME AGAIN For Harvey Phillips<p><span class="font_large"><strong>HOME AGAIN</strong></span> <br>For Harvey Phillips<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/395073/e2a79385c90a2a4cecb6f6a4df3ed288eb2784b5/original/harvey-phillips.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>
<p>For Michael Salzman - In Loving Memory of his teacher, Harvey Phillips </p>
<p>One of the things Harvey Phillips always encouraged his students to do was to get great composers to write for our instrument. Tom Davis is a masterful jazz composer and arranger. I commissioned Tom to write a piece for me to perform in memory of my beloved teacher and asked him to include the tunes “Back Home Again in Indiana” and “Georgia on My Mind.” I picked “Back Home Again…” because it reminds me of my time at IU with Mr. Phillips, and “Georgia” because he loved the music of Hoagy Carmichael and because I loved the way he played this tune. Tom did a great job with Home Again. It is a lot of fun to play and a great tribute to the most important figure in the history of the tuba. </p>
<p>Michael Salzman <br>Tuba/Euphonium Instructor <br>Hofstra University</p>3:37tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/64161752020-08-24T08:50:47-12:002020-08-24T08:52:44-12:00WITH THE GRAIN <p><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><span class="font_large"><strong>WITH THE GRAIN <br>The Story of the Locust Grove 11 </strong></span><br>As told by Justin Bell </span><br><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/395073/adff11cc349f76aab774384046807a8ec43db80d/original/buffalo-bulls.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p>
<p><br><br><br> </p>
<p><br><span style="color:#2c3e50;"><strong><span class="font_large">The Tom Davis Experience </span></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">What started as simple curiosity, in Tom Davis’ educator’s packet, ended up impacting the way I teach music. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">As a music educator, time is a valuable asset. Like most music educators, lunch, planning and other non instruction time are actually used for instruction. When I visited Tom’s website to view his credentials I knew that this would be worth my while. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Tom presented the information in a clear and succinct manner. I find it refreshing when one can clearly communicate musical concepts without all of the nonsense permeates our field. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Tom’s (TomRom 2012) was so helpful that I was able to use the information in my very next rehearsal. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">I sent Tom an email to express my thanks, expecting a simple reply email saying you’re welcome. I was wrong! Tom’s first email to me displayed his genuine and caring personality. Not only did he ask how his packet helped our ensemble in order to find and forward more information, he also began asking about our program. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">I am in charge of a very small, rural band program with only eleven members in the high school band. As you can imagine, the challenges my ensemble faces are much different than those of a large 5A or 6A program. The goals I have established for the ensemble are very lofty, especially considering the challenges we face. Therefore, I have become accustomed to peers and colleagues in the music field acting as if I am divorced from reality when I state the goals I have for my ensemble. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Because of this, I was expecting Tom’s response to be the same; however I could never have imagined how wrong I was! I wrote “…this sounds crazy but I want to make these kids world class musicians.” Tom replied, “…it’s not crazy, you can, you should and I’m going to help you.” </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Tom looked at my goals, asked about every player in the ensemble, and then wrote a piece of music specifically for us! I knew it was going to be quality and that is what we so desperately needed. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Before composing, he researched the history of our community. What he found is a Native American sculptor by the name of Willard Stone, who lived and worked in Locust Grove. Tom instinctively knew that he had to write something that would form an instant connection between the music and the students. As the semester went on, this proved to be a very wise insight as it gave the ensemble a sense of motivation. We were working not for ourselves but for the community- we felt obligated to produce a musical product that reflected the artistic merit of Willard Stone. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Tom sent us “With the Grain - a three movement piece that fit our musical and intellectual goals to a tee! This project was going so well, we invited Tom out to clinic the band! Tom did an amazing job connecting with the students and my students loved it! They were able to ask questions about stylistic interpretation and get specific details of how to communicate to the listener exactly what Tom had intended! This was the finishing touch in making the music very personal to each student. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">May 7th arrived, it was now the moment of truth for our ensemble. We loaded up the bus to Michael Block’s recording studio in Tulsa. We began recording at 12:00pm. Here we are, the students have a composition that has been written specifically for them, they have diligently worked throughout the semester to achieve a quality musical product, now they are in the recording studio! I couldn’t wait until Mr. Davis received the sound files and then put it through the final mixing. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Tom sent me an email today to let me know that the final mix was complete From the moment I clicked the “play” button I was blown away!!! I spent the entire night listening to the recording! My friends and colleagues received ecstatic texts and emails from me inviting them to listen. I simply can’t believe how good the final project turned out! I just cannot stop listening ! I feel that my words are inadequate in describing the elation my students and I felt, as each of us listened to the final product! </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Tom is one of the most innovative, creative and caring individuals I have met. No matter what problem sprouted, Tom came jad a solution. Whether it was making special mallets from scratch to get a specific sound on the congas or rehearsal techniques for my students, he had answers. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">Mr. Davis, I cannot thank you enough for providing this opportunity for my students. You saw the capacity of my students and knew that they would achieve exactly what you set forth for them! I believe that any group you work with will have the same growth experience as what we enjoyed. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">I hope that band directors, regardless of the size of their program or past accomplishments, give their students the opportunity to have the Tom Davis experience. If they do, they will then see the true capacity and of their students! <br>Sincerely, <br>Justin Bell </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="color:#2c3e50;">bellssuperlube@yahoo.com</span></span></p>5:02tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/59883402016-04-05T12:00:00-12:002022-05-26T00:06:25-12:00Angry Bots Game Score<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/395073/ac4948e94e1a7d191f5342ef6f7cabcdef5e6504/original/angry-bots-image.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTMzeDY1Il0%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="65" style=" margin: 2px; border: 1px solid black;" width="133" /><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Angry Bots Game Score</strong><br>Listen to this video game musical score, written for the UNITY Demo Angry Bots.</span><br><span style="color: #000000;">Click the <strong>DEMOS</strong> tab in the menu above to see more Game Audio, Film and animation samples.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe frameborder="no" height="97" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257623427&color=0066cc&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="446"></iframe></p>tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/59883382015-03-24T12:00:00-12:002016-03-31T21:41:44-12:00VIA CRUSIS<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/395073/5fa5521dd8feb56fa6bdd673e0fc2aef80b67063/original/tom-writing.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Njh4NDUiXQ%3D%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="45" style=" margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" width="68" /></strong></span></strong></span>VIA CRUSIS</strong>, St Mary's Church, Canandaigua NY 14424, Friday March 27th, 7 PM.</span><br><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Grace Frarey, Alto Saxophone, Greg Walerski, Tenor Saxophone, Tom Davis, Composer and Piano. </span></p>
<p><br><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>STATION VI : HE Sees his Mother </strong><a href="http://www.tomdaviscomposer.com/audio/s/via_crusis_2015_station_iv_he_sees_his_mother" target="_blank"><em>Listen Here>>></em></a></span></p>tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/59883372015-01-26T12:00:00-12:002019-12-02T04:07:19-12:00VIDEO: IF A BOY, PLAYED HIS DRUM, ON THE STREET<p><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Extended Work for Large Jazz Ensemble<br>Commissioned by The Finger Lakes Music Educator's Association</span></strong><br><em><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Composer: Tom Davis (A.S.C.A.P)</span></strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/H_HevDPweWA" width="420"></iframe></p>tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/59883322015-01-09T12:00:00-12:002022-04-25T13:55:54-12:00MUSIC EDUCATION<p><span data-reactid=".3.0.0" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Music Education: Actively connecting the imagination and the soul. N<span class="text_exposed_show">o "words" necessary. Most people just do not get it. Administrators AND TEACHERS alike.... so many miss the point of what we do. Way too many words spoken. (I've said too much already).</span></span></p>tomdaviscomposer.comtag:tomdaviscomposer.com,2005:Post/59883312015-01-03T12:00:00-12:002022-05-27T20:37:52-12:00ARISE!- for Middle School Band<p><strong>ARISE!</strong><strong><a href="http://www.tomdaviscomposer.com/audio/s/arise" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE</a></strong> <a href="http://www.tomdaviscomposer.com/new_concert_band_works/" target="_blank"><strong>Purchase Here</strong></a><br>Commissioned by the Midlakes Middle School Band, Joe Godfrey, Director<br>THANK YOU MIDLAKES BAND!<br>Can't wait to work with you on this new piece!</p>tomdaviscomposer.com