Don’t Tread on Me or on My String Quartet

String Quartet (shares themes with Playing with Style)

Don’t Tread On Me begins in a formal Mozart-ian way, but quickly develops its true rock n’ roll character with bluesy swinging style.  Special feroce string crossings give this piece its insistent, pulsing energy.  The rhythms are straightforward and everything is idiomatic, making this piece sound more difficult to play than it is.  The easy-going American feel of this piece, as well as its short, but sweet length, makes it a nice inclusion on many programs.

duration: 3’30”

(1995)

Don’t Tread On Me is Movement I of the 3-Movement string orchestra piece Signs of Life II, and is also available for string quartet.

To purchase this contact:

Eble Music Co. (319) 338-0313

www.eble.com

Recordings:  Rackham String Quartet

Freedom Fanfare


“A stunning all-American blend of Broadway, chimes, brass band and the National Anthem, showcasing every part of the orchestra in three minutes time.”
The Evansville Courier

Duration 3 minutes

(1995)

2+picc./2/2+b.cl./2 4/3/3/1
timp.   2 perc. strings

[Bass clar. is optional;
cues are provided in other parts.


Vivo, Beginning
Ending

The Upward Steam: Tom Walsh, Saxophone

Tom Walsh, tenor saxophone; Jeff Gershman, conductor, Indiana University Symphonic Band. World premiere of the arrangement for band by Scott Jones of Russell Peck’s tenor saxophone concerto, The Upward Stream. February 5, 2013, Indiana University, Musical Arts Center.

Jack and Jill at Bunker Hill

American story piece for narrator and orchestra

Battle of Bunker Hill

Immensely entertaining, “Jack and Jill” combines an action-packed story of American history and idealism with music irresistible to young people. It is especially appropriate for programs on American music, storytelling in music, and family 4th of July concerts. For fun and musical excitement, this piece is hard to beat. It has been performed by the Buffalo, Dallas, and Detroit Symphonies, and many other American orchestras from the Anchorage Symphony to the Florida Philharmonic.

Russell has composed a variety of narrated pieces appropriate for a broad range of ages. These works have been performed throughout the United States, Canada, and in Europe and Asia.

“gusto and flair . . . enthusiasm soars at children’s concert”
Grand Rapids Press

“the Milwaukee Symphony soared . . . snippets of blues . . . brass passages reminiscent of Motown . . . all integrated within a more classically derived framework”
Milwaukee Journal

“joy rings out at children’s concert . . . Peck left the stage to cheers of a standing ovation”
New Orleans Time Picayune

duration:  9′

(1997/1976)

3(3rd db. picc.)/2+E.h./2+b.cl./2+cbn.   4/3/3/1
timp.   2 perc. (incl. drumset)   harp   strings
narrator

[The full-size orchestra may be reduced by the omission of any or all of the following instruments: fl. II, E.h., b.cl., cbn., tpt. III, harp. Cues for these instruments are provided in other parts.]

A chamber orchestra version (using different score & parts) has instrumentation as follows:

1+picc./2/2/2   2/2/1/1 (tuba is optional)
timp.   1 perc. (incl. drum set)   opt. harp   strings
narrator

Introduction
Battle/Declaration of Independence
Liberty Bell