Welcome!

This site features various works of mine that I hope you'll enjoy. For information on where to purchase an item, please contact your local music store or visit the  publisher's website.

For information on commissioning a work for your band, orchestra, or choir, or to inquire about composer workshops, please contact me. 

I hope you enjoy my music. Thank you for visiting.

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Check out this article I wrote on how I use OmniFocus for music directing.

https://inside.omnifocus.com/vince-gassi

Click the link below to listen to my interview on Mark Connor's "Everything Band" Podcast (interview #69)

http://www.markjconnor.com/eb-podcast

 
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MY LATEST PIECES for 2024-25

Click the play buttons for previews. Click anywhere in a song's title to advance through the recording. Unless noted otherwise, music can be purchased through Alfred Music Publishing (click the Alfred logo to purchase).

Jazz Ensemble

1-800-Got-Funk

(PEPPER EDITORS’ CHOICE)

(Kendor Gr. 3-3.5)

A straight ahead, no-nonsense head, coupled with a Funk-a-licious groove will be the “way-coolest” chart your students will want to play again and again. Dig the awesome polychord-rich bridge, solos for alto sax and trombone, plus the hippest ensemble chorus this side of the international date line. So settle in and dial it up! Make 1-800-Got Funk! your next call! (3:23)

Fiesta

(PEPPER EDITORS’ CHOICE)

(Kendor Gr. 4)

Fiesta means a party and that’s what this chart is all about. There are plenty of rhythmic party favours and counter-lines to enjoy including solos for tenor sax and trumpet as well as an ensemble section that will keep the neighbours up. So go ahead, invite everyone over and just partay!! (4:15)

 

Concert band

Measure for measure

(PEPPER EDITORS’ CHOICE)

(Alfred Gr. 3)

Measure for Measure, by Vince Gassi, is a powerful and exciting concert piece. It has a driving, energetic theme that develops and unravels, leading your ear forward, measure for measure. There is a tender and lyrical moment (woven from the original motif) until the final "Furioso" section, which elevates, culminates, and capitulates. An excellent choice for concert or contest. (2:55)

Argonautica

(Alfred Gr. 1.5)

The epic quest of Jason and the Argonauts, is the inspiration for this new work. Let seafaring themes, energetic rhythms, and bold harmonies take you back to an ancient epoch. (2:33)

 

A Christmas couplet

(PEPPER EDITORS’ CHOICE)

(Wingert-Jones Gr. 3.5)

Two timeless Christmas classics and one awesome band are the perfect ingredients to serve up a festive evening for your audience. Good King Wenceslas and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen combine and intertwine, mix and remix in ways artful and elegant. (2:18)

 
 

Lights of the Aurora

(Eighth Note Publications Gr. 3)

The Northern Lights appear when energized particles from the sun crash into Earth's upper atmosphere at enormous speeds. Lights of the Aurora explores harmonies that are mystical, motifs that are celestial, rhythms that are powerful; all inspired by those "dancing ribbons of light." (3:55)

String Orchestra

Agent Arco: licensed to trill

(PEPPER EDITORS’ CHOICE)

(Alfred Gr. 2.5)

Chills, spills, and trills! Agent Arco faces her most dangerous assignment yet! Being licensed to trill is one skill she must use judiciously. Up bow, down bow, you name it, she's on the case. Pulsating, tuneful, and harmonically interesting, the energy sustains throughout. Add a touch of suspense to your next program!

 

A Christmas Couplet

(PEPPER EDITORS’ CHOICE)

(LEVEL 3.5)

(Wingert-Jones Gr. 3.5) Two timeless Christmas classics and one awesome band are the perfect ingredients to serve up a festive evening for your audience. Good King Wenceslas and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen combine and intertwine, mix and remix in ways artful and elegant.

 

(available through Alfred Publishing, SmartMusic, and Total SheetMusic)

Though you will hear either flute, trumpet, or tuba on these recordings, the solos are available for all wind and brass instruments with piano accompaniment. They also come with preparatory exercises and performance advice from the composer. Check out Alfred’s entire catalogue of Sound Innovation Solos for wind, brass, percussion, and strings.

 

more featured pieces

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

percussion discussion

Eighth Note Publications

When it comes to percussion ensembles, talk is not cheap, it's essential! Featuring an impressive array of things to hit, this "way cool" piece for things pitched and un-pitched alike will give percussionists and non-percussionists alike much to talk about.  Grooves, moves, and mallet blues; it's all good. So gather your posse now and just tell them to beat it!

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

THE BIG BAND THEORY

(Gr. 1)

J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice. This hip chart sports a straight ahead swing feel with a twist of cool added for good measure. A catchy (theory) is is postulated and plays out over two alternating chords, F9 and Eb9. Add one modal conceptual framework for the bridge, solos for tenor sax and trombone, a "way cool" ensemble chorus with a just a “smidge" of counterpoint, and the "theory" becomes reality. Trumpet plays to written a E, top space. Dig it!. It's all here! (3:15)

This breezy bossa makes it easy to feel the wind at your back and the sun on your face. It features a tuneful melody, written solo for alto sax, and an entire ensemble’s worth of good sounds.

(This Work Is Available Directly From The Composer)

 

NIOBE

(Gr. 1 )

Niobe is a fun bossa nova-style chart with a straight-eighth note feel for the young player. Vince Gassi scored Niobe with a catchy yet easy melody with written solos for 1st tenor sax and 1st trombone. 1st trumpet range is to fourth space E (written). An excellent chart! This title is available in SmartMusic. (3:23)

FULL ORCHESTRA

A Cambridge Carol

A Cambridge Carol is a delightful full orchestra arrangement of "Ding Dong Merrily on High" and is sure to become a seasonal favorite with audiences. The tune dates back to the 16th century and the lyrics were added in the 20th century by English composer George Ratcliffe Woodword. The song appeared in his 1924 publication, The Cambridge Carol Book. Vince Gassi’s joyous harmonies and cheerful rhythms will immediately put you in the Christmas spirit! (3:30)

Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King) is an ancient Jewish prayer chanted during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is a centuries-old supplication for God’s mercy and grace. Its reverent and plaintive character is brought forth poignantly in this beautifully scored arrangement for band. Its lyrical nature and evocative colours will furnish your students with ample opportunity to work on expressive playing and your audiences will be moved by its power. (2:25)

J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice. Inspired by the poem, "High Flight," by American WWII pilot, John Gillespie Magee, Jr., this energetic new work calls to mind the thrill and freedom of flight. Opening with rhythmic energy in the winds and rich harmonic statements in the brass, the mood gives way to a sensitive lyrical section. A dynamic development of the opening statement leads, ultimately, to a powerful and climactic ending. An excellent contest piece, this selection will enhance any program. (3:40)

Commissioned by the City of Brampton Concert Band, this piece commemorates 125 years of continuous service to The City of Brampton. It provides ample opportunity for your band to explore diverse colors and textures, from the mysterious opening which features solo piccolo, to exotic woodwind runs in open 5ths; from a delicate lyrical section to a furious dialogue between winds, brass and percussion. There is plenty of energy and excitement in this work to captivate your audiences. LEVEL: 4 (Advanced)

STRINGS

Although the lyrics for the this folk song date back to the 1600s, it wasn’t until 1906 that the song was published in Folk Songs from Somerset. Its simple melody and placid harmony provide a great opportunity for your young musicians to explore expressiveness in their performance. This poignant arrangement will lift your audience emotionally. (2:33)

Copyright © 2021 Vince Gassi Music