Steps Ahead is a new BandQuest work by Michael Gandolfi that takes young players on a journey! Along the way there are musical/compositional techniques that are intended to educate the performers about basic compositional techniques that areintended to educate the performers about basic compositional techniques. ?Steps Ahead is a delightful piece with something interesting for every instrument in…

From the composer: “Nature's Way for intermediate level band was commissioned by BandQuest a project initiated by the American Composers Forum. Their mission is for major composers of national reputation to writeworks of high quality that take into consideration the (still comparatively limited) levels of musical development--both technical and conceptual--typical of such ensembles. I eager…

BandQuest Series Grade 2.5-Ridgeview Centrum is a fanfare written in composer Alvin Singleton's style of subtle spontaneity which is experienced through a fusion of classical and folk music elements. In the historic tradition of fanfares this workwas written by Singleton in honor of the students and band teacher he worked with during his BandQuest residency at Ridgeview Middle School in Atlanta …

for Youth Symphonic Band - Score and Parts-(2003)Award-winning composer Michael Daugherty's first published work for young band describes a stretch of Interstate 75 that crosses through Florida's Everglades National Park. Alligator Alley celebrates thisnoble beast that has remained largely unchanged from prehistoric times. The first theme (“Alligator's Theme”) features the woodwinds (p…

BandQuest Series Grade 3.5-Composer Chris Brubeck wrote Ghost Walk as part of his BandQuest residency at West Rocks Middle School in Connecticut. The piece combines Brubeck's lifelong experiences with both jazz and classical idioms creating a workthat's as fun to play as it is to hear. The title was inspired by the wedding of Brubeck's son at Gettysburg College which hosts a “ghost walk &r…

American Composer's Forum – BandQuest Series – Grade 3Rhythm Stand pays tribute to the constant presence of rhythm in our lives: from the pulse of a heartbeat to the rhythmic sounds of the world aroundus. Celebrating the regular order in our lives composer Jennifer Higdon incorporates traditional and non-traditional sounds within a 4/4 swing style setting to heighten student awareness…

Composed by 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winner Kevin Puts Charm is a short joyful piece written in the meter 7/8. Of the title Puts writes “I decided to call it Charm because for me the music conjures up magic good-luck charms and such and I was also thinking of the other meaning of the word that intangible quality possessed by certain people and places that truly can cast a spell.” Fr…

Playing one wrong note can ruin the performance of a piece right? Well composer Thomas Duffy actually wants the performers to make mistakes in this clever composition! The precise imprecision comes to life as students are askedto intentionally play wrong notes in various parts of the march. After performing this work you and your students will never look at “perfection” the same way…

Composed by 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winner Kevin Puts Charm is a short joyful piece written in the meter 7/8. Of the title Puts writes “I decided to call it Charm because for me the music conjures up magic good-luck charms and such and I was also thinking of the other meaning of the word that intangible quality possessed by certain people and places that truly can cast a spell.” Fr…

BandQuest

BandQuest Series Grade 4.5-Smash the Windows is a vigorous piece full of energy and motion. The work is based on a traditional Irish jig with the same name. Robert Xavier Rodríguez calls the piece a “toccata moto perpetuo ” themusic gradually builds from its quiet beginning to a brilliant flourish that with sound effects truly befits the title.

BandQuest Series Grade 4-The Odyssey was written by Homer about 2700 years ago and tells of the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus during his harrowing return trip home after fighting the Trojan Wars. This work is suggestive of his dramaticencounter with the sirens famous for luring sailors to their death with their beguiling wind-like song. In this descriptive piece you can hear the wind-song…

BandQuest Series Grade 4-The Odyssey was written by Homer about 2700 years ago and tells of the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus during his harrowing return trip home after fighting the Trojan Wars. This work is suggestive of his dramaticencounter with the sirens famous for luring sailors to their death with their beguiling wind-like song. In this descriptive piece you can hear the wind-song…

BandQuest Series-A contemporary adaptation of the traditional African American spiritual Wade in the Water.

WINNER OF BASCA S 2012 BRITISH COMPOSER AWARD FOR WIND OR BRASS BAND.A Symphony of Colours was commissioned by the Fairey Band with assistance from the John Golland Trust. The first performance was given on 2 May 2011 during the European Brass Band Championships Montreux Switzerland by The Fairey Band conducted by Russell Gray. The same band gave the UK première on 29 January 2012 at the Roya…