The Conquest

Utilizing concepts that beginning band students need to master, this composition about a young lion's conquest of his territory is a great concert or contest selection. Most instruments play within a 5 to 8 note range so that wind players can experience success with a mature sounding composition. Several different percussion parts are also written so you can substitute instruments or players as needed. There are multiple opportunities for expression with simple dynamic changes and phrase shaping. Let your students conquer their first concerts with this fun and accessible composition.

The Corcoran Cadets March

Written in 1890, this early Sousa march is a great exercise in rhythmic precision and dynamic contrast. Rearranged and technically adjusted for the modern concert band from the original Carl Fischer publication, this march really flies!

The Corsairs

The Courageous Nine

Introduce young performers to the elements of march style. Written to be played in a spirited and light style, this march opens with a brass fanfare and short bell solo. All sections of the band get their moment in the spotlight. Use this to develop listening skills and to reinforce the development of each instrument's characteristic tone and timbres.

The Cyclops

For first-year band students, this work is based on the beastly, one-eyed mythological giant. Frightful and exciting, this composition allows ensembles to learn marcato articulation, accents, tempo control and balance between sections. Use this to develop interdisciplinary lessons studying Greek mythology. Your young musicians will look forward to playing this in concert.

The Dark Crusader - Donald Josuweit

This is the perfect song for teaching 6/8 time. It is all very easy with eighth notes in groups of 3 only. No quarter/eighth rhythms, so it is easy to get the students to feel the triple meter. It is also a great song for getting the first clarinet players to play over the break. For the 1st half of the song, they play low notes. From low A, they press the register key and get the E in the staff, thus making it easy and fun to play the higher notes. It is an exciting work and one of NMP's best sellers. The first trumpet's highest note is C.

The Directorate

Written by John Philip Sousa in appreciation of an honor awarded him by the Board of Directors of the 1893 St. Louis Exposition, The Directorate was one of the first pieces Sousa composed for his newly formed Sousa Band. Featuring lively wind parts, contrasting dynamics, interesting harmonic twists in the trio, and a rousing final strain, this march is ideal for teaching the classic march style. Rescored for the contemporary concert band's instrumentation from Sousa's original Carl Fischer composition, this march is now ready to be discovered by a new generation of performers.

The Elven Eleven

With a nod toward Western movie theme songs, The Elven Eleven is a quirky look at a troop of pony-riding elves on a quest for adventure. Join them as they romp through the countryside in search of treasures, conquests, and revelry! This piece is a great chance to work on intonation, articulation, and syncopation with early students. This song was designed to entertain audiences and make your young band sound great.

The Emissary

The Fairest of the Fair