Jamboree

"Jamboree" is for the beginner ensemble (ideally Grades 4-6) and is written as a great first concert band piece for lower level ensembles where the director is looking to get their ensemble out of a book. Some considerations that were made include: The piece is in the key of Bb Major, revolving around the first scale that students ideally learn and utilizes the first 6 scale degrees as well as the 7th scale degree below the Bb tonic. The utilization of whole notes, dotted half notes, half notes, quarter notes, and eighth notes with no syncopated rhythms. Unison rhythms in the beginning of the piece to make introducing the concept of polyphony in a natural and logical way, while also introducing more complex polyphony with two separate rhythmic parts in the middle section. Multiple percussion parts for Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Timpani, Bells, Triangle, and Tambourine that allow for flexibility depending on the level of your musicians. Only using the dynamics piano and forte to introduce of dynamic contrast with a crescendo at the end of the song from piano to forte. The use of staccatos in the middle section to introduce the concept of articulations, with staccato commonly being the first one that is taught. A tempo of 130 bpm that is a good moderate tempo for beginning ensemble without being too slow or too fast.