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This is my favorite of Nelhybels pieces - I am posting this because VSL can be used just as much for concert band music as orchestral. I first heard this years ago and stopped dead in my tracks listening to it, because it was shockingly different from the usual pleasant conventional band music one normally hears.
TRITTICO
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This is great music. I can imagine also a real pleasure to play it. Thanks for sharing this (this piece but alsof the 10 trombone piece).
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Yet another gem. This is a powerful and intense work and an eye opener to the diversity of concert band rep, especially for those of us that are quite ignorant to what's out there, beyond the conventional rep as you mentioned.
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Great, I lost my brilliant thoughts when I tried to cut and paste them from another thread. Too bad; it was quite witty and brilliant. Suffice it to say that I was a bit disappointed when I realized Bill hadn’t actually done a midistration of Trittico. He’s probably sick of hearing me say this, but I’d love to hear him put his VSL powers to a performance of one of these classic band works or, better yet, one of his own. At least it’s a good sign that he’s thinking about the work of great band composers like Nelhybel. Maybe it will lead to him giving it a try. Here’s hoping!
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It would be something to do one of Nelhybel's works with MIDI ! I'd like to, or especially do The Sinfonians my favorite band piece which doesn't have a lot of good recordings. I did a concert march of my own for full band. But - though Tom knows all about this, playing in band - it is way harder to do MIDI for symphonic band than orchestra. Think of how the strings make up most of an orchestra - and that's only five parts! With symphonic band all the instruments are different and there are doublings you have to use even if they aren't necessarily wanted. Here is a standard list:
Piccolo
1st Flute (usually doubled)
2nd Flute (etc.)
Oboe
Cor Anglais (English Horn)
Bassoon
Eb Clarinet
Solo Bb Clarinet
Clarinet Ensembles:
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Alto Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Soprano Saxophone
1st Alto Saxophone
2nd Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
1st Bb Trumpet
2nd Bb Trumpet
3rd Bb Trumpet
1st Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
3rd Bb Cornet
Flugel Horn
1st French Horn
2nd French Horn
3rd French Horn
4th French Horn
1st Tenor Trombone
2nd Tenor Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tubas (Eb, Bb)
Percussion (including optional but normally used instruments)
Drum Kit
Bass Drum
Snare Drum
Cymbals
Triangle
Tambourine
Wood Block
Bongos
Claves
Gong
Tam-tam
Timpani
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Marimba
Vibraphone
Chimes
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Well Bill, never let it be said that you don't know how to make a point. That's a lot of stuff. Still, since confession is supposedly good for the soul, I might as well say it: that's what I want to do. I want to write stuff for symphoic band and hear what it would sound like if one of the great wind bands performed it. I have been lurking around this company's website and others for years, pricing the libraries, DAW software, specialized computer, and peripherals I would need to do it. Even if I suddenly could get all that stuff, I am probably too old to live through the learning curve, but I keep dreaming. The fact that virtually no one (even other band enthusiasts) would ever so much as listen to it is discouraging, but not a deal breaker. I would listen to it. They say that Elgar, as he lay dying in his country home, would listen to recordings of his own works. I get that. Of course those recordings were done by the finest musicians and ensembles; he had enthusiastic fans the world over and was greatly honored. I will have none of that. But with this remarkable technology, I could hear what I imagine.
So, as the Cowardly Lion once said, "There's just one thing I want you fellas to do...TALK ME OUT OF IT!"
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Tom, I don't mean to sound negative, just was explaining why I haven't done any concert band material. In other words, wimping out.
I totally agree about doing serious concert band recordings, also, I've realized the lack of specific band ensembles in VSL is not a problem, since the 3 clarinet ensemble can be doubled or tripled, and there are two additional solo clarinets which each can be doubled. And of couse all the other instruments are there.
I was going to do a new mix of my concert march, designed to destroy the embochures of horn players, but didn't get to it. But now all I can say is "talk me out of it!"
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Originally Posted by: tchampe 
I have been lurking around this company's website and others for years, pricing the libraries, DAW software, specialized computer, and peripherals I would need to do it. Even if I suddenly could get all that stuff, I am probably too old to live through the learning curve, but I keep dreaming. The fact that virtually no one (even other band enthusiasts) would ever so much as listen to it is discouraging, but not a deal breaker. I would listen to it. They say that Elgar, as he lay dying in his country home, would listen to recordings of his own works. I get that. Of course those recordings were done by the finest musicians and ensembles; he had enthusiastic fans the world over and was greatly honored. I will have none of that. But with this remarkable technology, I could hear what I imagine.
So, as the Cowardly Lion once said, "There's just one thing I want you fellas to do...TALK ME OUT OF IT!"
As I said a while back, you absolutely should take the plunge, Tom! There will be no regret trying to bring the tunes in your head to life via virtual performances. You surely will learn and grow with the instruments, and unleash a level of creativity that will surprise you. You're not too old to learn...be patient with yourself and within a matter of months you'll be well on your way. Within a couple of years, you'll be a Champ(e)! Couldn't resist :)
As for nobody listening to it, as you mentioned, you'll listen and I suspect you'll have more supporters/admirers/fans than you realize, especially since the music you propose to write is popular, but under-served in the VSL world.
Take it from someone who knows: it's a heck of a lot more fun doing this stuff FOR FUN than it is trying to be a "professional."
Good luck to you!
p.s. William: same goes to you re. your concert march...get on it because you clearly have fans that want to hear it!
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Originally Posted by: tchampe
Well Bill, never let it be said that you don't know how to make a point. That's a lot of stuff. Still, since confession is supposedly good for the soul, I might as well say it: that's what I want to do. I want to write stuff for symphoic band and hear what it would sound like if one of the great wind bands performed it. I have been lurking around this company's website and others for years, pricing the libraries, DAW software, specialized computer, and peripherals I would need to do it. Even if I suddenly could get all that stuff, I am probably too old to live through the learning curve, but I keep dreaming. The fact that virtually no one (even other band enthusiasts) would ever so much as listen to it is discouraging, but not a deal breaker. I would listen to it. They say that Elgar, as he lay dying in his country home, would listen to recordings of his own works. I get that. Of course those recordings were done by the finest musicians and ensembles; he had enthusiastic fans the world over and was greatly honored. I will have none of that. But with this remarkable technology, I could hear what I imagine.
So, as the Cowardly Lion once said, "There's just one thing I want you fellas to do...TALK ME OUT OF IT!"
I am 66 years old. I have Congestive Heart Failure, OCPD, and Cancer. Which will kill me first? Only my God knows which or how long it will take. But I still take great joy in trying to write music. And writing music is a great activity for a senior with limited mobility, as you can do it all sitting down, and take your time writing all day or for just a few minutes a day.
Thankfully samples are getting cheaper, even VSL, and the bundles are a great way to start with VSL on a budget. But another way to get started is to use a notation program (Sibelius, Dorico or Finale) and use the plugin "NotePerformer" for the playback. I think in notation. There is no way I could write anything directly to a DAW. So personally I write in Sibelius using NotePerformer to make sure I am writing what I think I am writing, then only later record with samples in a DAW. The extra step of playing it into a DAW is fun for me, and I get as close to a real performance as possible.
Don't wait, just get started. Have fun with it! Composing has no calories! 
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Originally Posted by: William
This is my favorite of Nelhybels pieces - I am posting this because VSL can be used just as much for concert band music as orchestral. I first heard this years ago and stopped dead in my tracks listening to it, because it was shockingly different from the usual pleasant conventional band music one normally hears.
TRITTICO
Thanks William, another really memorable piece of music by Nellybels. You know the Brass Band world has a number of prominent composers with a similar style. Of course, they do not use the French Horn in a Brass Band. The parts that would go to a French Horn are mostly in Eb Alto/Tenor horn, and sometimes also in Baritone. Not the same tone at all.
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Originally Posted by: Paul McGraw
I am 66 years old. I have Congestive Heart Failure, OCPD, and Cancer. Which will kill me first? Only my God knows which or how long it will take. But I still take great joy in trying to write music. And writing music is a great activity for a senior with limited mobility, as you can do it all sitting down, and take your time writing all day or for just a few minutes a day.
Paul,
I am so sorry that you are struggling with such serious health issues at this time of your life, Paul. I only know you through your posts, our limited correspondence, and your music, but that is enough for me to confidently say that I know you to be a man of faith, courage, and character, all of which will carry you through this difficult trial.
I always enjoy your music and look forward to your next piece; your skills with the virtual orchestra grow with each new effort. Courage, and all my best wishes to you, my friend.
Tom
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Really agree with that - a number of Paul's pieces I love and want in my music library! They should be in the orchestral repertoire but how to do that nowadays? Almost impossible.
One thing Tom mentioned to me is how while orchestras - which are highly dysfunctional today in many ways - are endlessly playing the same warhorses over and over, totally ignoring any contact with new composers except those who schmooze successfully or perhaps blackmail a conductor - concert bands are actually looking for new material. Can you imagine such a thing? Since I have a past in concert band I am thinking hard about how some pieces of mine are suited to it, just as much as orchestra.
I find Nelhybel really inspiring because he was so serious in exploiting the sonic characteristics of the symphonic band, which is different from orchestra - it has much more raw power than any orchestra can ever have because of the massive concentration of brass and winds. R. Strauss and Mahler - even though people don't tend to think of them this way - were attempting to do something similar to what is present in a large symphonic band by increasing the size of the brass and wind ensembles, but even in their orchestrations it is not as large.
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