Concert Band
Series Guidelines
SOUND INNOVATIONS
Grades ½–2, Very Easy–Medium Easy
The Sound Innovations for Concert Band series provides stimulating selections for beginning and developing bands that reinforce newly learned notes, articulations, key signatures, rhythmic patterns, musical terms, and symbols, covering a wide variety of musical styles. Each piece correlates with specific levels in Sound Innovations for Concert Band, our revolutionary band method, but may also be used in conjunction with other instructional methods, and includes a reproducible educational pack and an optional piano accompaniment part.
DEBUT
Grades ½–1½, Very Easy–Easy
When your beginning performers are feeling more comfortable playing together as an ensemble and are ready to perform slightly more challenging music, Alfred’s Debut Series for young bands is the ideal choice. Suited for first- and second-year players, this series is in full-score format with reduced instrumentation.
DEVELOPING BAND
Grades ½–2, Very Easy–Medium Easy
Designed for when your beginning performers are feeling more comfortable playing together as an ensemble and ready to perform slightly more challenging music, Alfred’s Developing Band Series is the ideal choice. Each piece is solidly scored with stability and confidence in mind. As works approach the grade two level, multi-part independence increases to support musical growth. Suited for first-, second-, and third-year players, this series is in full-score format with reduced instrumentation.
YOUNG SYMPHONIC
Grades 2–3, Medium Easy–Medium
Full-sounding original compositions and transcriptions are provided in this bright and bold symphonic band series. Students are presented with more challenging performance concepts, both interpretively and technically, that help them to develop overall musicianship with limited instrumentation (two trumpets, two clarinets, two trombones, and a single French horn part) while providing a complete sound that delivers satisfying performances.
CONCERT BAND
Grades 3–5, Medium–Advanced
Designed for concert bands at the high school and collegiate levels, as well as community bands, this series includes original compositions and arrangements by a number of well-known composers. Each work is chosen for its musicality, uniqueness, and appropriateness for the serious concert program.
Concert Band
Series Guidelines
VERY BEGINNING BAND
Grades ½–1
Utilizes only the first few notes presented in most beginning band methods (most restrictive for holiday selections); designed for both instruction and performance during the first year. Limited use of repeated-pitch eighth notes as the most complex rhythm combined with solid scoring and extensive cross-cueing permits successful performance with incomplete or unbalanced instrumentation; limited percussion instrumentation constructed without rolls.
BEGINNING BAND
Grades 1–1½
Awkward skips avoided; ample cross-cueing (especially solos); care taken to write easy low brass/low woodwind parts; percussion may be written a grade level above winds level.
YOUNG BAND
Grades 2–2½
Awkward skips avoided; ample cross-cueing (especially solos); care taken to write easy low brass/low woodwind parts; percussion may be written a grade level above winds level.
CONCERT BAND
Grades 3–3½
Extensive cross-cueing (particularly for solos for Horn, Bassoon, Oboe & Bass Clarinet); composers are encouraged to use expanded percussion, particularly mallet and accessory instruments.
SYMPHONIC BAND
Grades 4+
Expanded instrumentation. Exploration of more key centers and time signatures. Rhythms and syncopations as necessary for musical content.
Concert Band
Series Guidelines
FIRST PERFORMANCE BAND
Grades ½–1
Ideal for first-year musicians, this series is based on notes and rhythms typically learned in the first few months of instruction. All low brass and low reeds double the bass line and there is only one clarinet and one trumpet part. Length is very appropriate for young musicians coming out of a method book for the first time.
DEVELOPING BAND
Grades 1–1½
Suited for first- and second-year students, clarinets and trumpets often expand to two parts each, resulting in a richer orchestration and more color. Ranges are still extremely modest, and doublings/cues are widely used. Percussion parts begin to develop more independence.
YOUNG BAND
Grades 2–3
While musically appropriate for a wide range of levels, these pieces use a slightly reduced instrumentation of two clarinets, two trumpets, one horn, and two trombones. In addition, there is still adequate doubling in lower voices. Ranges are slightly expanded from Developing Band, but are still modest. Despite the reduced instrumentation, the music has a full, complex sound and great artistic merit.
SYMPHONIC BAND
Grades 3–5+
This series encompasses music for upper-level middle school through high school, college, and community groups. Instrumentation often expands to three clarinets, three trumpets, and three trombones, while there are typically two to four horn parts depending on grade level. Independence is encouraged, but key instruments are still cross-cued when necessary.
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