The Grey Dawn Is Breaking

The beautiful English/Irish folk song Kathleen Mavourneen is the basis for this ballad. The Grey Dawn Is Breaking offers an opportunity for young musicians to stretch their musical muscles by developing expression through dynamics, phrasing, and even rubato.

The Haunted Clock

In The Haunted Clock, the relentless tick-tock of a clock echoes through a darkened house. The piece plays with tension and suspense, using unusual rhythms and eerie harmonies to suggest the passage of time. The subtle use of percussion creates a ghostly atmosphere, and the piece builds toward an unsettling conclusion.

The Heart of a Mustang

The Heart of a Mustang evokes the musical imagery of free-roaming horses galloping across the open plains. The music suggests an intense urgency embodying the struggles faced by mustangs in the wild. Heartbeat rhythms serve as the musical bridge throughout in this solid choice for contest and festival performances.

The Hiding Place

The Hiding Place is a musical journey that invites listeners to explore themes of refuge, resilience, and the power of hope in times of adversity. Inspired by the concept of finding solace and sanctuary in the midst of chaos, the piece evokes imagery of quiet sanctuaries, secluded hideaways, and inner strength.

The Holly and the Ivy

This setting of the beautiful holiday classic is accessible for very young bands. Its memorable melody, notated in a comfortable range, is passed around the sections of ensemble as the other parts play accompaniments that are interesting, yet not difficult. Written in bridge form, the piece begins softly, with soft sleigh bells and clarinets below the break, adding flutes, then brass, then building to a minor section and a very short percussion feature, making it a great opportunity introduce students to this form!

The Hornet's Nest

In 1780, Lord Charles Cornwallis attempted to invade Charlotte, but the city's residents united and expelled him. General Cornwallis went on to describe the city as "a hornet's nest of rebellion." In this Revolutionary War inspired piece, a strong florid melody is passed around the various sections of the ensemble. This work is a great opportunity for more advanced bands to focus on stylistic playing between the bright and triumphant theme and quieter larghetto passage. Students will enjoy taking a trip back in time with this piece full of Colonial American vigor.

The Huguenots

Ed Kiefer uses the strength and perseverance of the French Huguenots as the basis for this powerful concert piece for young bands. A perfect opportunity to do some cross-curricular work with your history department. Also, a fine piece to highlight the strength of your band at contest/festival.

The Ides of March

Sean O'Loughlin's The Ides of March is pulse-pounding and haunting; a dramatic composition for band. This work celebrates the composer's love of modern film music and is an exercise in economy of musical material while remaining wonderfully melodic and elegant.

The Journey

The Journey Home - Randy Navarre

Here's your contest piece for your middle school band. A solid Grade 3 with interaction in between the various sections of the band. The tempos are medium, slow, and a bit fast, but non troppo! The harmonies have some post-romantic sounds with longing melodies and interacting counter-melodies. The recapitulation has just a little bit of variety with changes of rhythms and maybe a surprise harmony or two.