PDF Band Music Blog

You would  think that writing a composition for the young band would be the easiest thing for a composer.  I’ve found that writing for young band (middle school or small high school) to be interesting and difficult.  The difficulty is writing fluidly and creatively with a smaller musical  pallet.  The pallet for writing at this performance level is limited to less complex rhythmic patterns and  key signatures; as well as concerns for instrument ranges.   Interestingly, I think I found the right mixture of elements in “Opus in Pastel” to make this composition artistically and musically pleasing for performers and audiences.  It is ballad which features the deep resonant sound of the clarinet along with French horn stating the main theme.  The theme repeats in first section and is joined by a soaring counter-melody.  The trumpets enter in the B section with a new theme and  as this section crescendos there is and a key change.  The return of the A theme is stated in the trumpet section.  As the song concludes the various motifs are sounded again throughout the band.  The ending chords with chime accompaniment are truly lovely sounding.  I hope “Opus in Pastel” is a success.  It is a delightful composition. Opus in Pastel

Jerry Frazier is consistently producing excellent new beginning compositions that are very playable and enjoyable for students.  Each new piece is consistent in that the ranges and rhythms are playable by 1st year students.  What makes Jerry’s work special is that he writes two percussion parts.  One percussion part is simple and playable by the first year student.  The optional percussion part will challenge the more advanced players and when played, make the compositions fuller and more enjoyable.

My First Sheet Music 

This beginning band sheet music was specifically written to supplement  Essential Elements 2000 method book that my beginning bands are using. In attempts to prepare my students for intermediate and advanced bands, I not only use the method book but band music as well. “My First Sheet Music” was written with the skills students have by mid-year in mind. Ranges, rhythms, expressive qualities and other elements that concert bands use are reinforced.  My students really enjoy playing “My First Sheet Music” because they find it challenging yet playable. It gives my students a sense of accomplishement when they can play it well.

Tom Donaldson

It was an interesting challenge writing “News Ticker Overture”, because writing sheet music for the intermediate band or for an advanced beginning band requires that special attention be made of exactly what students know at this level.  At the same time it is equally important to respect the musicality of young musicians and to produce sheet music that will be interesting and challenging.
The title “News Ticker” probably shows my age because I remember the days of ticker tape parades and watching WWII movies where the ticker tape was the primary means of global communication.  The rhythms in the B section of “News Ticker” remind me of those old days when many news programs used the rhythms of the ticker machine as introductions to the news program.
The opening section of “News Ticker” features standard block chords with the addition of a few major 6ths to add flavor.  The B section percussion parts are challenging and to really enjoy the full flavor of sound it is important to have the xylophone.  Be careful, however, to not let the xylophone dominate the rhythmic structure of this section.  All in all, “News Ticker” is strong candidate for inclusion as a contest selection.  I hope that the composition becomes a part of the concert band standard repertoire.

tom