Band and Orchestra Music by Howard J. Buss

ENERGICO! for band or wind ensemble (2014) begins with a stately section that presents harmonic and rhythmic material that is developed throughout. The festive main body of the work is in an episodic ABA-Coda format and mixes soaring lyricism with crisp, energetic rhythms and colorful harmonies. Energico! was premiered in 2014 by the University of South Florida Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. John Carmichael. (10’30”) Grade V-VI.

Sound samples: Excerpt_1.mp3; Excerpt_2.mp3;

Excerpt_3.mp3; Excerpt_4.mp3

Video on YouTube

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FANFARES (1981, 2018) for band or wind ensemble is a collage of fanfares of varying length and color. This patriotic work (inspired by the release of the American hostages in Iran) has been included in the Presidential Collection of Ronald Reagan. “An excellent choice for contest.” - The Instrumentalist, “Nancy and I enjoyed the performance immensely.” - President Ronald Reagan, “It has all that you look for in an extended ‘fanfare’ to open a big program and deserves the attention of those bands capable of modest Grade V music.” - The Florida Music Director.
(7’15”) Grade V.
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3, Excerpt 2.mp3,

Excerpt 3.mp3, Excerpt 4.mp3

Video on YouTube

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ILLUMINATIONS for bass trombone or tuba and band, originally for bass trombone (or tuba) and piano, was composed for Charles Vernon, bass trombonist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the 30th Anniversary of the International Trombone Festival. It is written in an accessible modern style. The musical language is sophisticated, yet appealing to general audiences. Illuminations is in two movements: The first, Reverie, is contemplative and lyrical. Beautiful, expansive melodic lines are woven into a gentle, almost mystical, musical fabric. The second movement, Urban Lights, is an energetic rondo that is influenced by jazz, and in one section, funk music. “Thoughtful, tuneful, and rewarding to perform.” – ITA Journal (19’) Grade V-VI.
Sound samples: Movement 1 - Excerpt 1.mp3;

Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

Movement 2 - Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3;

Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3

YouTube Video

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INTO THE HALL OF VALOR (2018) for horn and band was composed for the 50th Anniversary of the International Horn Society. It was written for hornist Frank Lloyd and The United States Army Field Band conducted by Col. Jim Keene for their performance at the 20018 I.H.S. Conference hosted by Ball State University. This work is a tribute to soldiers recognized for extraordinary courage in the face of danger. The composer states, “About the time I learned that the U.S. Army Field Band would perform the premier, I was reading about the “Hall of Valor" located at the National Infantry Museum. I was inspired to write a work as a salute to those who have been recognized therein, as well as soldiers honored at similar venues. The character of the music is heroic, majestic, and the solo horn adds significantly to this.“ (7’55") Grade V.
YouTube Video of the premier performance

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REFLECTIONS ON THE LAST POST for clarinet and band (or wind ensemble) was inspired by The Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium. It honors the thousands of soldiers who died to free Belgium from the Germans in WWI. The Last Post Ceremony was first held on July 1928 and has been performed every night since November 11, 1929. The composition develops the “Last Post” bugle call, which is performed near the beginning of the ceremony. The work also has stirring sections signifying the youthfulness and vitality of those who fought and died on the Ypres battlefields. This composition was premiered in 2019 by Dr. Keith Koons with the University of Central Florida Wind Ensemble directed by Dr. Scott Lubaroff.
(8’) Grade V. Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3;

Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3

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REFLECTIONS ON THE LAST POST for tuba and band or wind ensemble was inspired by The Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium. It honors the thousands of soldiers who died to free Belgium from the Germans in WWI. The Last Post Ceremony was first held on July 1928 and has been performed every night since November 11, 1929. The composition develops the “Last Post” bugle call, which is performed near the beginning of the ceremony. The work also has stirring sections signifying the youthfulness and vitality of those who fought and died on the Ypres battlefields. This work was winner of the Composition Competition of the U.S. Army Band’s 2019 Tuba-Euphonium Workshop. It was premiered in 2020 by Ramon Garavito Jr. and the United States Army Concert Band, "Pershing's Own," conducted by Scott McKenzie. (8’) Grade V.
Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3;

Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3 - YouTube Video

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TROMBONE CONCERTO (1983) in 3 movements: Proclamation, Soliloquy, and Capriccio. This critically acclaimed composition works well as a feature number and as a contest piece. “An alternative to the Rimsky-Korsakov, the Jacob ‘Concertino’, or the Larson - substantial, listenable, I recommend it highly. ”- Paul Hunt, ITA Journal. (18’) Grade V. Video on YouTube
Score samples (transposed):

Movement 1.pdf; Movement 2.pdf; Movement 3.pdf

Solo part samples: Movement 1.pdf; Movement 2.pdf; Movement 3.pdf

Sound Sanples Movement 1: Opening.mp3; Middle.mp3; Ending.mp3;

Movement 2: Excerpt.mp3;

Movement 3: Opening.mp3; Ending.mp3

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VIBRANT HORIZONS(2018) for flute and wind ensemble was composed for flutist Dr. Brian Luce. It is in 3 movements: New Beginnings has an optimistic character, and the spirited thrust of the music projects movement in a hopeful and positive direction. The second movement, Old Thoughts, juxtaposes beautiful, atmospheric sections with brooding passages, as if to suggest a tension between desirable elements of the past with those that prompted the individual to seek new horizons. The final movement, Circles, addresses the fact that once one is settled into a new situation, routines develop. When viewed over time these routines often resemble circular patterns. The official premier of this work was in 2019, Dr. Luce with the University of Arizona Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. Chad R. Nicholson. The unofficial premier was by Dr. Luce with the University of Utah Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. Scott Hagen at the 2019 Western Regional Concert Band Festival. (17’30”) Grade V.
2020 Finalist-Honorable Mention for The American Prize
Sound samples: Movement 1 - Excerpt_1.mp3; Excerpt_2.mp3; Excerpt_3.mp3,

Movement 2 - Excerpt_1.mp3; Excerpt_2.mp3; Excerpt_3.mp3

Movement 3 - Excerpt_1.mp3; Excerpt_2.mp3; Excerpt_3.mp3

YouTube Videos: Movement 1, Movement 2, Movement 3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

Orchestra Music Works are in alphabetical order, durations in parenthesis

CONCERTANTE for euphonium, tuba and orchestra. In this one movement composition the euphonium and tuba are treated as equal partners as they traverse a wide variety of sonic atmospheres. Energetic and sometimes fiery sections surround a beautiful and lyrical central part. (9’) Grade V.
Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3;

Excerpt 3.mp3; Excerpt 4.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

CONCERTO FOR BASSOON AND ORCHESTRA was written for bassoonist, Dr. Keith Sweger, and premiered by him and the Ball State Symphony Orchestra in 2022. The two movements, Reminiscences and Excursions, span a wide range of moods and timbral atmospheres, ranging from lyric tenderness to forceful, aggressive sections. This work is also published for bassoon and piano. (19’) Grade V-VI.
Score sample: Excerpts.pdf - YouTube Video

Sound Samples: Movement 1: Excerpt 1.mp3, Excerpt 2.mp3, Excerpt 3.mp3;

Movement 2: Excerpt 1.mp3, Excerpt 2.mp3, Excerpt 3.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

SINFONIETTA (1990) for string quintet (2-1-1-1) or string orchestra was commissioned by the Imperial Symphony Orchestra for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the American Music Center. This work is characterized by vibrant colors and driving rhythms. (6’30”) Grade V.
Sound Samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

SKYLINES for trumpet (Bb or C ) and orchestra is a musical urban portrait in two movements. No specific city is depicted; rather, the composer captures in a broad manner, the essence of the big city spectacle. The lyrical and majestic first movement, Panorama, suggests the expansive grandeur of cityscape. The second, Amid the Spires, is influenced by jazz and captures the dynamic energy of life on the busy streets. The trumpet and piano version was premiered by Eric Berlin, trumpet, and Nikki Stoia, piano, at the 2003 International Trumpet Guild Conference. The orchestra version was completed in the Spring of 2006.
I. Panorama (5:35), II. Amid the Spires (4:35)
total performance time: approximately 10 1/2 minutes, Grade V.
Sound samples: Excerpt 1.mp3; Excerpt 2.mp3; Excerpt 3.mp3

number of parts in complete set/instrumentation
1 - Solo Bb trumpet
1 - Solo C trumpet
2 - Flutes 1, 2
2 - Oboes 1, 2
2 - Bb Clarinets 1, 2
1 - Bb Bass Clarinet
2 - Bassoon 1, 2
2 - Horn in F 1, 2
2 - Bb Trumpets 1, 2
1 - Percussion 1
1 - Percussion 2
1 - Percussion 3
8 - Violin 1
8 - Violin 2
6 - Viola
6 - Cello
4 - Contrabass

Music available from Cimarron Music Press

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Howard J. Buss, Composer

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Band and Orchestra Music, online graded catalog of sheet music rated: 5/5 based on customer reviews.
Product description: Band and Orchestra Sheet Music: Wind Ensemble, Trumpet with Orchestra, Trombone with Band, String orchesra