James Smith

Audio Available

Component

Delivery

Eprint Folders

Format

Grade

Instrument

Item Sequence

Large Print Edition

Marketed Status

Minimum Sell Quantity

MINTS Data Available

Product Line

Prop65

Score Available

Video Available

Not every warm-up has to be "some piece" or an etude that doesn't have any relevance to younger students. 20 Melodies for Emerging Band Students contain 20 short pieces of music based on animals, using different modes, meters, phrase lengths, and styles. Change up your beginner band warm ups and exercises with this set to unlock the musicality of your students.

20 Melodies for Emerging Band Students, Volume 1

Concert Band Score & Parts

<p>Dive deep into ocean life with this selection for beginning concert band. The piece is written in B-flat Mixolydian with a contrasting softer section in C minor. There is also nonfunctional harmony throughout the work that differentiates this piece from other works of this difficulty, with few accidentals – concert B in saxes and horns, concert D-flat in low brass and reeds. This selection can be played with a minimal ensemble of flutes, clarinets, alto saxes, trumpets, trombones, and percussion.</p>

Aquatic Journey

Chill out with this selection intended for first-year players, Time Out. Written with the first 4 notes of the A minor blues scale in mind, and using only 6 different notes, younger players will find instant success when learning its catchy bass line and repeated rhythms.

Time Out can be performed by a minimal concert ensemble of flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and percussion, and uses the A minor blues scale (A, C, D, E-flat).

Time Out

Throughout history, countries have relied on spies. Their goal is often to collect secret information from their enemies that can help save innocent lives. One technique spies often use is disguise, ranging from quick costume changes to adopting new identities. To avoid raising suspicion, some spies have to go “incognito” - disguised and unknown - to successfully carry out their missions.

This spy-themed Grade 1.5 band work, Incognito, is perfect for second year band students, especially those ready to learn syncopation. Using a musical style similar to the James Bond or Peter Gunn themes, Incognito can be performed by a minimal concert ensemble of flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and percussion (Bells, Perc. 1 and Perc. 2).

It may be worth spending some time teaching the rhythm patterns contained in the music by ear, such as the melody and the rhythms in measures 23 and 29. The Clarinet 2 part at measure 31 can be tricky for players to pull off, especially with the inclusion of two accidentals. It may be helpful to divide the group in half to perform each half of the two-measure phrases.

Incognito

When the sun is obscured by the moon, a solar eclipse occurs. The track of the moon’s shadow across the surface is Earth is known as the path of totality. Within this path, a total solar eclipse can be seen, leading to near-complete darkness for up to several minutes. One might describe an eclipse as breathtaking - the sudden changing of light and darkness, the hush falling over the Earth, and the spectacle of a world without a sun. This selection can be performed with a minimal ensemble of flutes, clarinets, alto, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and percussion.

Path Of Totality

Whole Lotta Rock (Grade 1) is a tune that’ll get toes tapping. More cowbell is always okay! Written in C minor, everyone gets a section to shine!

Whole Lotta Rock can be performed by a minimal concert ensemble of flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and percussion.

Whole Lotta Rock

"Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity" is the fourth movement of Gustav Holst's famous orchestral suite, "The Planets" (Op. 32). The Andante Maestoso section was titled "Thaxted" by Holst, famously introduced into the world by Ralph Vaughn Williams' hymnal "Songs of Praise" in 1926.

This concert band arrangement with optional piano accompaniment is suited for beginning band students in their second or third year of playing. The melody is written in unison for all players to play together. A version of the solo for clarinets that does not "cross the break," as a lower octave version, is included. Length: 2' 15"

Jupiter Theme

"Simple Gifts" is a Shaker song written and composed in 1848 by Joseph Brackett, an elder of the Shakers residing in Maine. Aaron Copland famously used its melody for the score of Appalachian Spring, which premiered in 1944. This concert band version with piano accompaniment is suited as a lyrical solo appropriate for beginning band students in their first year of playing, using only six notes. Length: 1' 45"

Simple Gifts

Instrument Family

Around 15 to 20 percent of the global population is neurodivergent, including individuals with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other exceptionalities. These individuals often must overcome great challenges to interact with the world around them in a meaningful way. This work for flex band celebrates the unique contributions of neurodivergent individuals, along with the teachers and community who support their growth. In reflecting how neurodivergent individuals are drawn to patterns, details, and creative solutions, this work features intricate counterpoint rarely found in expressive writing.

And Still, We Rise

Flexible Instrumentation Score & Parts

El Tesoro de Pargo highlights the story of Amaro Pargo, a legendary 18th-century pirate who sailed under the Spanish Crown. Known for his frequent charitable giving, and a comparable reputation to that of Blackbeard, Pargo built immense wealth through trade and privateering. Tales persist that he hid a chest filled with gold, jewels, and precious relics—but to this day, the treasure has never been discovered. His legacy drifts between history and myth, reflected in the music’s shanty-like melodies and fanfares. 

El Tesoro de Pargo is in compound duple meter. This could be a student’s first exposure to 6/8 meter. It is best to prepare the rhythms ahead of time, for students to later apply to the work. Students should note the contrasts within the different sections of the work: accents versus legato style, loud versus soft, crescendos versus decrescendos.

El Tesoro de Pargo

Every hero’s journey starts somewhere, just like that of every first-year student in band. “An Adventure Awaits” captures the excitement and courage of setting out into the unknown, where every turn of the road promises discovery. This work celebrates the spirit of exploration, and the daring decision to take a step in a new direction.

“An Adventure Awaits” can be performed by a minimal concert ensemble of flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and percussion. It uses only the first 5 notes students likely will learn, and can easily be performed within a short time after beginning band rehearsals.

An Adventure Awaits

Concert Band

With Saint Nick sick on Christmas Eve, the elves called someone you’d never believe… a werewolf! (Perhaps there weren’t many options for Santa replacements this holiday season.) ‘Twas A Werewolf Before Christmas is a lighthearted, fun work depicting how a werewolf and his pack of “reindeer” might tackle the arduous task of delivering gifts on Christmas Eve. A comical combination of Halloween and Christmas, this work features a narrator who will share the story with the audience. A script is included, with cues to guide the narrator, conductor, and players.

Twas A Werewolf Before Christmas

Ensemble

Instrument Type

High Gear is an eclectic, hard-hitting bassoon solo. Perfect for middle school bassoonists looking for a challenge, or as a fun piece for a high school or college student. Featuring rock-like melodies, syncopation, and extended techniques (in measure 58, there is a multiphonic - instructions for playing are written in the bassoon part), this selection is sure to shift players into their highest gear. Length of piece: 2' 20"

High Gear

Bassoon Solo with Piano

Black holes have gravity so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. These invisible giants pull in everything around them, bending space and even slowing down time. They play an important role in how galaxies are formed, including the creation of stars. “Oblivion Rising” imagines what it might be like to view a black hole up close. This 2-minute work is full of dark energy and unstoppable motion.

Oblivion Rising

A version of the seventh movement of Carnival of the Animals - Aquarium - for wind quintet.

Aquarium (Carnival Of The Animals)

Woodwind Quintet

Cathedral Grove is a specially protected area within California’s Muir Woods National Monument. Revered for its quiet, awe-filled atmosphere and towering coast redwoods, visitors are asked to observe silence as they move through this space. This piece seeks to capture the internal joy that comes from experiencing the grove. The stillness, scale, and the humbling presence of the tallest living organisms on Earth is unlike anything one could ever experience on this planet. The piece contains oboe and bassoon features, a prominent marimba part and the use of many auxiliary percussion, including rain stick and maracas. Length: approx. 4' 30"

Cathedral Grove

"Carolina Moon" is a popular song from 1928. It has been recorded by artists such as the Chordettes, Perry Como, Dean Martin, and Thelonious Monk over the years. The song describes the feelings of parted lovers, connected by knowing the same moon shines on them both.

This easy concert band arrangement with optional piano accompaniment is suited as a lyrical solo appropriate for beginning band students. Students in their second year may find the solo a challenge, while third year students may find it easy to play. The tune is written in unison for all members of the band to perform together.

Carolina Moon

Global Sections - CORE [DO NOT TOUCH]*

Favicon

Need Help? Contact Us or call 1-800-345-6296    Live Chat

Header

Don't have a business account? Create one

Products