More Fun! Light Concert for Young Band Wednesday, June 03, 2020
recommended by Ken T., Band Education Specialist
Chromatic Express by Justin Harden, Grade 2.5
All aboard this imaginative new work for the developing band by composer Justin Harden. “Chromatic Express” is an ideal tool to teach and reinforce the chromatic scale in a practical musical setting. With themes that invoke images of riding a magical train, your students will love the music they are creating while developing dexterity and technique. Highly recommended!
Chips, and Salsa, Too by Ed Kiefer, Grade 2
Written in an upbeat Latin rhythmic form, “Chips, and Salsa, Too” begins with percussion under a nice rhythmic motif in the winds. A tuneful minor melody in the clarinets, well below the break, continues above this Latin groove after the intro. The tubas (and cross-cued for euphoniums and bass clarinets) and flutes have a melody together, and the rest of the band is gradually layered in the mix until everybody is contributing to the mix. Latin rhythms, featured percussion, and lots of nice melodies for the winds make this a piece your students and audiences will love!
Jambo, Rafiki! (Hello, Friend!) by Amy Webb, Grade 1.5
“Jambo, Rafiki!” (translated: “Hello, Friend!”) celebrates the joyous and impetuous spirit of the people of Kenya. With engaging rhythms and a catchy melody, your students are sure to want to play this piece over and over. Featuring engaging percussion scoring, and accessible to groups with percussion sections of any size. Concepts to practice and cement in this cultural gem include dotted 8th and 16th rhythms and simple syncopation. Terrific!!! (Kushangaza)!!!
Rumble and Roar by Larry Neeck, Grade 1
Get ready to “Rumble and Roar!” This fun and unique piece features your band’s “beasts” – trombones, baritones, tubas, bass clarinets, tenor, and bari sax – in a fun, easy, and full-sounding original work. Putting the bottom of the band out front, this music builds technique and enthusiasm in the sections that don’t always get a chance to shine. The colorful interplay with the rest of the band allows everyone to be part of the action, while the solid rock groove will captivate students and audience alike.
School Detective by Jukka Viitasaari, Grade 1.5
The ever-vigilant hall monitor, always on patrol for delinquents running amok, needs a secret assistant in tough times like this. That’s where the School Detective comes in! Navigate through winding chromatic passages set to groovy ostinati and drum fills.
Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Author:
A former band director, Ken taught grade 5-12 band and music appreciation in both public and parochial schools in central Ohio. His iPod ranges from jazz to classic and alternative rock, symphonies, and classic songs from Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. His interests include comic books, traditional amusement parks, the Muppets, football and hockey (especially the Steelers and Penguins), and all things Pittsburgh.