FLEX INSTRUMENTATION
Holiday Duets for Band (Grade 1)
FREE! These flex instrumentation setting of seven popular Christmas and Hanukkah tunes work with any combination of 1 or 2 band instruments, with or without piano accompaniment (or downloadable play-along track. Tutorial video for students! Links to download free PDF sheet music and MP3 track in the description area of the video.
Spooky Melody (Grade 1)
FREE! This fun and spooky tune is great for 1st-3rd year band students for Halloween...and comes with a silly video tutorial and MP3 play-along track. Download PDF sheet music and MP3 track in the description area of the video.
BAND GRADE 1 - 1.5
Alfred Publications (Grade 1-1.5): Click to hear
Part of Alfred Music's NEW FLEX INSTRUMENTATION Series! Works for ANY combination of 4 instruments. FREE, downloadable PERCUSSION TRACK facilitates remote learning and virtual ensembles. Escape from Thunder Mountain takes you, musically, on a harrowing, life and death thrill ride that ends dramatically in a thunderous explosion of sound! Correlates to Book 1, Level 6 of Sound Innovations for Concert Band, and a 2020 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice! Available in SmartMusic.
Mustang Spirit (coming Spring 2021)
Alfred Publications (Grade 2): Click to hear
For Instrument Solo and Piano (Grade 2, works with any band instrument), was commissioned by the Governor Mifflin Intermediate School (Shillington, PA) - the home of the Mustangs! - for their combined 6th Grade Band & Orchestra, Steven Holgate, Director. Originally written to work as a piece for soloist and ensemble, it was adapted for this version for flexible instrumentation soloist and piano. The bright, upbeat tempo (marked Joyfully♩= 132), along with an infectious syncopated rhythm used throughout, give the piece it’s buoyant, optimistic spirit.
Written for Alfred Music's Sound Innovations Soloist Series. Available in SmartMusic or from Totalsheetmusic.com. Solos come with SI Soloist Exercises which help prepare the player, and Sound Advice program notes and rehearsal tips.
Wingert-Jones (Grades 1-1.5): Visit jwpepper.com
Nine of your favorite Christmas carols arranged in four parts to work for almost any instrument combination, with ample doublings for smaller bands. These are written to be rehearsed and ready to play in about one or two meetings with your young instrumentalists (elementary/middle school). Comes with piano reduction, vocal parts (with words for caroling), and percussion if desired. Includes "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," "Up On the Housetop," "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," "Deck the Halls," "Angels We Have Heard On High," "Joy to the World," "Good King Wenceslas," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" all in easy arrangements for elementary/middle school band students. Suitable for small ensemble, full band, duets, trios, concert selections, neighborhood caroling, family recital, or cheering up the folks at the old-age home :)
Alfred Publications (Grade 1.5-2): Click to hear
Part of Alfred Music's NEW FLEX INSTRUMENTATION Series! Works for ANY combination of 4 instruments. FREE, downloadable PERCUSSION TRACK facilitates remote learning and virtual ensembles. A moderate rock feel, various percussion, and gritty, somewhat dissonant harmonies combine to portray the sound of industry: work gangs laboring with machinery whirring, clanging, grinding, and banging. This Alfred Challenger Series piece was named a 2020 J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice! Available in SmartMusic.