Show-offs: New Solo and Section Features for Young Band Thursday, April 04, 2013
Is your young band filled with a bunch of show-offs and attention grabbers? Let them put their skills to the test with one of these great section features!
Chillaxin’
Trumpet Section Feature
Matt Conaway, Grade 1
Feature your trumpet section on this laid back, groove-rock tune with the slang title. It’s all here: 12-bar blues form, a tune that follows the chord changes (open it up to feature some middle school soloists!), a solid bass line, and 8th note rhythmic breaks. This chart makes it on authenticity and your students will have fun!
The Elephants (from Carnival of the Animals)
Low Brass Section Feature
Camille Saint-Saens, arr. Matt Conaway, Grade 1.5
Bring those low voices into the spotlight! In this setting from Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals,” Matt Conaway has created an accessible and audience-friendly feature for those oft-forgotten basses in the back that is also a fun choice for recruiting performances!
Trumpets of Symphony Hall
Trumpet Section Feature
arr. Todd Stalter, Grade 1.5
Add a touch of light novelty to your concert, introduce your band to some standard classical themes, and feature your trumpets all at the same time! Your audience will enjoy the variety of this arrangement showcasing themes by Beethoven, Mozart, Dvorak, Haydn, Brahms, and more, while your trumpet section and ensemble navigate multiple changes of playing style and dynamics.
UFO
Euphonium Feature
Edward Kennedy, Grade 1
The title of this work conjures up images of outer space and flying saucers. However, it’s also a pun on the affectionate name often given to the Euphonium in the U.K. and Australia: EUPHO. This exciting work will give your euphonium or baritone players a chance to shine and have some fun, either as soloists or in a section feature.
Walking the Planks
Mallet Percussion Feature
Robert W. Smith, Grade 0.5
Using a nautical theme, Robert W. Smith has created this work to reinforce musical concepts and highlight this crucial area of skill development for percussionists. Using only six notes, the melody flows seamlessly across the planks while providing a delightful musical experience for all. The optional accelerando leads to a very exciting conclusion.
For more great suggestions for your young band, contact Stanton’s band department. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!