YOUNG BAND Five Star Features from Make Music 2023 Tuesday, December 26, 2023
recommended by Ken Tilger and Austin Swack, Band Education Specialists
Guiro Hero by Timothy Loest, Grade 1
Celebrate Latin music’s colorful sounds and infectious rhythms in this lighter work by Timothy Loest, who puts the guiro front and center. Your audience will smile with each tap and scrape, and your students will gain an appreciation for world music. There’s a new superhero in town – “Guiro Hero!”
The Last Gladiator by Timothy Loest, Grade 0.5
Experience the brutal energy of the Roman Colosseum in this larger-than-life work by Timothy Loest. Heart-pounding drums and sword-clashing sound effects tell the heroic story of St. Telemachus, a frail Eastern monk whose bravery brought the gladiatorial games to an end. Exhilarating and epic, “The Last Gladiator” will absolutely be a student and audience favorite!
Clutch by Brian Balmages, Grade 1
Fasten your seatbelts for this aggressive and harmonically colorful work! “Clutch” is an intense experience, using percussion to establish a strong rhythmic pulse that compliments the powerful melodic lines throughout. While the piece has an amazingly complex sound and vivid imagery, Brian Balmages has once again managed to do so with music that sounds difficult but is surprisingly achievable for young musicians!
Guardians by Adrian B. Sims, Grade 0.5
This aggressive work depicts a fortress defended by brave and dedicated fighters. “Guardians” includes powerful brass and percussive statements that lead to a musical adventure filled with excitement and mystery. Showcase the authority of your ensemble with this sophisticated but accessible work for beginning bands by emerging composer Adrian Sims!
The Jester’s Galop by Jack Wilds, Grade 1
Dramatic and full of humor, “The Jester’s Galop” will showcase your ensemble in a musical whirlwind from beginning to end. Complex sounding yet extremely playable, the work allows for a lot of musical exploration with opportunities to work on dynamic contrast, fermatas, cesuras, and style to heighten the excitement.
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About the Authors:
A former band director, Ken taught grades 5-12 band and music appreciation in both public and parochial schools in Central Ohio, and has been at Stanton’s since 2004. His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies. His interests include reading, history, traditional amusement parks, outdoor activities (especially hiking), and watching hockey.
Austin Swack joined the Stanton’s team after a decade of teaching band in Texas public schools, where his ensembles were consistently recognized for superior performance. He is equally at home with beginner and advanced students and has extensive experience programming for ensembles at all ability levels. Additionally, he is a versatile arranger as well as an experienced clinician and adjudicator. In his free time, Austin enjoys running, cycling, and cheering on the Blue Jackets!