USA Southern Territory
The Salvation Army
USA Southern Territory
Music Department
1424 Northeast Expressway
Atlanta, GA 30329
The USA Southern Territory covers eleven southeastern states, from Maryland to Texas. The Music Department is under the direction of the Territorial Music Secretary, Dr. Richard Holz.
American Instrumental Ensemble Series
The American Instrumental Ensemble Series was begun in 1987. Originally titled the American Brass Ensemble Series, it represented a new direction in Salvation Army brass music publishing. For many years, music published by the Salvation Army was not sold to "outside" bands. The AIES was one of the first Salvation Army brass publications to be designed with both the internal and external markets in mind.
The AIES is arranged in four parts, with an optional fifth part (euphonium). The series can be used by a wide variety of groups (parts for C instruments, F horns, and bass clef parts are provided).
The most significant innovation in the AIES is the concept of a graded series. Sixteen pieces are published each year, in four grades. Grade I can be used by beginning bands, "with just a few months instruction" (quote from the official description). Grade IV requires intermediate to advanced players. Limitations on key, range, rhythm, and length are strictly enforced. One piece in each grade (per year) is a solo item, split evenly between Bb and Eb instruments. Many well-known Salvationist arrangers are regular contributors, including James Curnow, Stephen Bulla, Ray Steadman-Allen, Robert Redhead, James Anderson, and William Himes.
Another difference from the traditional band journal format is that individual AIES items are packaged and sold individually. Most traditional journals are sold only on a subscription basis, with about four pieces in each issue. AIES solos are also available with piano accompaniment (this is the American Instrumental Solo Series).
