Michael Sweeney | Composers

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Michael Sweeney
Michael Sweeney

Born
10.09.1952 in Hillsboro (Oregon)

Info

Michael Sweeney is currently Director of Band Publications for Hal Leonard LLC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one of the largest publishers of printed music in the world. Michael is directly responsible for the development, production, recording and marketing of new publications for school bands. In addition, he contributes as a composer and arranger in all instrumental areas, and is particularly known for his writing at the younger levels for concert band and jazz. Since joining the company in 1982, Hal Leonard has published over 500 of his compositions and arrangements.

Mr. Sweeney is a 1977 graduate of Indiana University (Bloomington), where he earned a bachelor's degree in music education and studied composition with Bernard Heiden, John Eaton and Donald Erb. Prior to working for Hal Leonard he was a band director in Ohio and Indiana, working with successful concert, jazz and marching programs at all levels from elementary to high school.

A winner of multiple ASCAP awards, Michael's Ancient Voices (1994) and Imperium (1992) are featured in the acclaimed Teaching Music Through Performance series by GIA Publications. Other works such as Black Forest Overture (1996), The Forge of Vulcan (1997) and Distant Thunder of the Sacred Forest (2003) have become staples in the repertoire for middle school bands. He has received commissions ranging from middle school and high school bands to the Eastman Wind Ensemble and the Canadian Brass. His works appear on numerous state contest lists, and his music is regularly performed throughout the world. He is also in demand as a clinician and conductor for honor bands and festivals.

Michael resides in the Milwaukee area, where he enjoys fishing and playing traditional Irish music.

Keywords

Anniversary / Jubilee 2022

Current Title

Vibes

Vibes

The Book of Genesis

The Book of Genesis

Golden Peak

Golden Peak

Crystal Magic

Crystal Magic

The Magic Mountain

The Magic Mountain

Music by Michael Sweeney

FILTER (97)
FILTER (97)
Total

Vibes
Wishlist

The Book of Genesis

The Book of Genesis

Festival Series 67 CD 1: Prelude to a Pageant - Hypernikon - Eldorado - Breeze in the Forest - A Man's Destiny - Pilgrims of Wolfryt - The Graces of Love - The Book of Genesis CD 2: Call...
CD (Compact Disc)
T8100
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Crystal Magic

Crystal Magic

Festival Series 65 CD 1: Wings to Fly - Step by Step -The Source - Majestic Waters - A Century of Music - Desert Dances - Tribute to a Maestro - The Miner's Saga - Crystal Magic CD...
CD (Compact Disc)
T8111
Wishlist

The Magic Mountain

Festival Series 64 CD 1: A Bluegrass Overture - Leonardo - Agosto - Salutation - Tarjan - Sea of Hope - Pasovario - The Red Stone - Inspire! - The Magic Mountain  CD 2: The Greatest Show...
CD (Compact Disc)
T8113
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Journey Through a Magical Kingdom

Festival Series 63 CD 1: Fanfare Exuberante - A Centennial Adventure - Into Your Eyes - Ponte Vecchio - Sbandiamo! - St. Stephen's Chorale - Austrian Fantasy - The Mystery of Light - Homage -...
CD (Compact Disc)
T8125
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On Joyful Wing

Drawing on two early American hymn tunes, here is a beautifully paced lyric piece with moments of calm reflection as well as emotional high points. The opening uses the lesser known Vermont composed...
Concert Band
HL04005541
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The Wall

Festival Series 61 CD 1: A Golden Jubilation - Song of Friendship - Town of the Seven Hills - March-Chagu-Chagu - In Memoriam - The Wall - Pulse - St. Paul's Suite - Zodiac Dances -...
CD (Compact Disc)
T8139
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Shut Up and Dance

This easy arrangement of the #1 hit recorded by Walk the Moon features modest ranges and simplified rhythms, but still captures the exciting flavor of the original. Discovery Band Series Grade...
Concert Band
HL04005237
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Winds on Fire

Festival Series 60 CD 1: Festival Bells - Highdays and Holidays - A Vision of the First Light - Concertino for Clarinet - White Winged Flight - A Knight's Tale - Tchaikovsky Highlights -...
CD (Compact Disc)
T8146
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The Last Giant

Festival Series 59 CD 1: Intrada Eroica - Cantastoria - Colorado - A Glorious Summer Day - Morning Star Variations - The Last Giant - The Torch of Liberty - And Still, the Spirit - Pisa - The...
CD (Compact Disc)
T8149
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Jurassic Park (Theme from)

Here is a very easy arrangement of the familiar music from Jurassic Park. Now even beginning players can enjoy one of John Williams' most iconic themes. First Concepts Series Grade...
Concert Band
HL04004618
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens
(Music from)

Carefully paced and skillfully scored for younger players, here is the dynamic music from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Familiar old themes are blended with exciting and powerful new...
Concert Band
HL04004657
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Happy

Rarely does a song come along that no one seems to get tired of hearing or playing. Happy is just that song, and here is a very easy arrangement with limited ranges and rhythms perfect for second...
Concert Band
HL04003962
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Earth and Sky

The Native American Omaha Tribe believed in an inseparable union between earth and sky. Commissioned for the Nebraska All-State 8th Grade Band, Michael Sweeney's Earth and Sky celebrates this...
Concert Band
HL04003380
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Mambo (from West Side Story)

From one of the greatest musicals of all time, here is Bernstein's ever-popular Mambo in a carefully adapted and edited version that reduces some of the extreme technical demands of the original....
Concert Band
HL04003506
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Brave (Music from)

Here are the main themes from the popular Disney/Pixar movie Brave in a concise and easy to learn setting for very young players. Sure to sound great with limited rehearsal time. Discovery Band...
Concert Band
HL04003341
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Circle of Life

Elton John and Tim Rice created memorable songs for Disney's The Lion King including this powerful ballad, arranged here for very young players. Discovery Band Series Grade 1+
Concert Band
HL04003252
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Legend of Devil's Lake

Depicting an ancient tale of battle between water serpents and giant thunderbirds, Michael's dramatic work for young players provides plenty of imagery amid the dark sonorities and driving...
Concert Band
HL04003145
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Pictures At An Exhibition
(Flex-Band)

Even using the reduced instrumentation inherent in the Flex-Band format, Michael brings the power and excitement of the original in this authentic-sounding arrangement for inexperienced players....
Concert Band
HL04003234
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Dance of the Spirits

The Native American Cree tribe refer to the aurora borealis (or “northern lights”) as the “dance of the spirits.” Using a variety of unusual sounds and effects, quickly...
Concert Band
HL04003051
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Song for Hope

Written as a memorial for a middle school band student, this sensitive and moving work opens with a chorale played by off-stage brass. A flowing melody stated in the low register is then developed...
Concert Band
HL04003057
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River of Hope

The centerpiece of this work for band is the memorable Appalachian folk hymn “Down to the River to Pray,” which was featured in the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou? Interspersed with...
Concert Band
HL04002863
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Man in the Mirror

With this very easy arrangement, even beginning bands can enjoy this Michael Jackson hit from 1988. Beginning Pops Series Grade 1
Concert Band
HL04150016
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Tarzan (Selections from)

Once again Disney brings yet another musical treat with great new songs from their newest animated film, this time by pop superstar Phil Collins. Michael Sweeney's arrangement is just right for...
Concert Band
HL08724666
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Root Beer Rag

Billy Joel's rollicking rag makes a super sax feature with this new arrangement by Michael Sweeney. Your saxophone players will love the clever licks and tricks and your audience will be grinning...
Concert Band
HL04001500
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Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Medley)

This Andrew Lloyd Webber show has made a spectacular return to American stages with new musical arrangements, dazzling stage effects, and a top-selling soundtrack CD. Michael Sweeney's outstanding...
Concert Band
HL04001095
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The Music of Michael Sweeney - Vol. 3

Quad City Stomp - Where the Sun Breaks - Through the Mist - Rumble on the High Plains - Crossings in Time - Half Moon on the Hudson - Southern Folk Rhapsody - Themes from First Suite in E-flat -...
CD (Compact Disc)
TDIV498
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The Best of Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble

From Hal Leonard's acclaimed Essential Elements series for Jazz Ensemble, here is an economical collection of 15 complete arrangements in a variety of styles. As a bonus feature, each arrangement...
Concert Band
HL07011461

Celtic Air and Dance

Drawing on the rich and varied tradition of Celtic folk songs, this piece opens with the touching and melodious “The Parting Glass.” The flutes and percussion take center stage on the...
Concert Band
HL04002573
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Medley)

Celebrating 40 years since Sgt. Pepper “taught the band to play,” here is a medley of some of the best-known hits from what many consider the best album of the rock era. Includes: “Sgt. Pepper's...
Concert Band
HL04001127
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First Suite in E-flat (Themes from )

Never before have the magical melodies of Holst's masterpiece been made available at this easy level. Using excerpts from the first and third movements while maintaining the integrity and sound...
Concert Band
HL04002527
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Great Movie Adventures
(Flex-Band)

Hal Leonard Flex-Band Series

Includes themes from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial). Hal Leonard's innovative Flex-Band series is designed to provide exciting...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
HL04002502
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Pirates of the Caribbean 1:
The Curse of the Black Pearl
(Flex-Band)

Hal Leonard Flex-Band Series Powerful themes from the first “Pirates” movie, The Curse of the Black Pearl. Includes: Fog Bound - The Bleak Pearl - The Medallion Calls Hal...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
HL04002463
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Youtube

Born To Be Wild (Flex-Band)

Hal Leonard Flex-Band Series

Hal Leonard's innovative Flex-Band series is designed to provide exciting music for bands with incomplete or unbalanced instrumentation. Written using just five...
Concert Band, Mixed Ensemble (Woodwinds/Brass)
HL04002467
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Youtube

Auld Lang Syne

Essential Elements Performer Level, Grade 1+

Featuring the clarinets in their low register, along with Michael Sweeney's unique harmonic approach and a tasty percussion accompaniment, here...
Concert Band
HL00860956
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Ye Banks And Braes O' Bonnie Doon

Michael takes this tender and lyrical folk song and creates a marvelous setting for beginning players. Even at this easy level, this arrangement provides a wealth of musicality through creative...
Concert Band
HL04002426
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Cayuga Lake Overture

Bold themes and contrasting musical styles characterize this well-constructed overture for beginning players. Michael is known for providing interesting parts for all players, and this work features...
Concert Band
HL08724462
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Southern Folk Rhapsody

Featuring some of America's most beloved folk melodies, Michael Sweeney has crafted an emotional and satisfying work for young players. You'll hear recurring strains of Swing Low, Sweet...
Concert Band
HL04002391
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Crossings in Time

Here is something different for contest or festival. Written in the style of a tone poem, this work uses minimal melodic development but builds emotional intensity through changing textures and...
Concert Band
HL04002424
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Wicked (Music from)

Here is a very playable yet effectively powerful setting of highlights from the hit Broadway musical about the Wicked Witch of the West. Includes: No One Mourns the Wicked, Dancing Through Life,...
Concert Band
HL08725046
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Wilderness Scenes

This work dramatically depicts moods and images from the historic Lewis & Clark Expedition two hundred years ago. As their “corps of discovery” encountered wilderness, mountains and...
Concert Band
HL04002320
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Fires of Mazama

Aleatoric music for grade 1? Why not?! Through carefully controlled parameters, your beginning players can actually create their own erupting volcano effect! Mazama was the imposing mountain peak in...
Concert Band
HL04002347
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The Music of Michael Sweeney - Vol. 2

Wilderness Scenes (from the Journal of Discovery) - River of the Ancients - Pictures at an Exhibition - Kinesis - Out of the Shadows - Dialogues for Winds and Percussion - Down by the Salley Gardens...
CD (Compact Disc)
TDIV419
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Accidentally in Love (from Shrek 2)

Recorded by the Counting Crows for the smash hit movie Shrek 2, this song is a hit in its own right. Featuring a catchy melody and a solid rock style, you can't go wrong with this...
Concert Band
HL08725020
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Film Favorites (CD)

Pirates Of The Caribbean - My Heart Will Go On - The Rainbow Connection - May It Be - You'll Be In My Heart - Accidentally In Love - Also Sprach Zarathustra - Mission: Impossible Theme - Music From...
CD (Compact Disc)
HL00860158
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Film Favorites

As a follow up to the popular Movie Favorites, this eagerly awaited new collection features the hottest movie themes arranged for full band or individual soloists (with optional accompaniment CD). In...
Concert Band
HL00860139

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

First made popular by the Andrews Sisters back in the '40s, later by Bette Midler in the '70s, and now your very own trumpet section can be the stars of his hoppin' tune from the swing...
Concert Band
HL08725008
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River of the Ancients

For thousands of years, amid turmoil and grandeur, the Nile River has remained a stable and life-giving presence in the land of Egypt. Michael Sweeney hints at sounds from these ancient times as he...
Concert Band
HL04002312
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