Beginning Band Music
Level 2
The Castle Gates
Drawing on visions of medieval castles using the Dorian Mode and several metallic percussion instruments, this piece strives to capture the awe of approaching the waiting Castle Gates using the first six pitches of the Concert Bb Scale, basic rhythms, and tutti playing.
A powerful intro and strong melody outline the formidable castle, a quieter contrasting section represents the humbling experience of standing before the gates, and an uplifting third melody brings us in an invites us to wonder and be amazed before transitions back to the powerful first melody. With a melody written mostly to showcase the middle voiced instruments, this piece is designed to fuel the imagination
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!
Dancing Song
This Dance uses the 1st 6 pitches of the Bb Scale and basic rhythmic concepts to convey a peasant-style country dance in simple 8-bar phrases. Every instrument group enjoys the opportunity to perform the melody, harmony, or accompaniment.
Opening with a portion of the main theme, low voices lead the first section and pass to the high voices in the second. Middle voices lead the 2nd theme and a back-and-forth leads the 3rd theme back to the main them, this time passing through the various voices.
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!
Fanfare and Celebration
Fanfare and Celebration begins with a bold and harmonically interesting fanfare to immediately catch the attention of the audience! A dance-like melody is played over an ostinato in the A section, giving way to an answering melody in the lowest voices at B. A snippet of the A melody leads to a joyous middle voice melody at C, culminating in a round of the original melody and a strong coda! This pieces uses only the first six notes of the Bb scale and the most basic rhythmic patterns.
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!
Humming Tune
The Pentatonic Scale is used the world over. It is one of the most recognizable and melodic ways to organize music. This piece uses the first six notes of the Bb scale and the Pentatonic Scale to create a joyous and serene pastorale-like song setting. The melody should always be played as if humming, gently and fully sustained. Always let the melody sing through! Pay special attention to mm. 38-45, where the melody is in the lowest voices, augmented in the middle voices, and quadrupled in length in the top voices.
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!
In the King's Forest
In the King’s Forest is broken into three distinct settings, all using the same melody based on the introductory fanfare-like melody. The first setting is at the edge of the forest and is light and more thinly arranged, focusing on the upper voices. The second setting is further into the forest and uses the same melody in the mid voices, but harmonized more heavily. The third setting is deep in the forest and the melody shifts from Bb Major to C Minor and is the most densely arranged. We break through the forest to the other side with a return of the intro fanfare and ends with a triumphant sequence of main theme back in Bb Major.
Using the first six notes of the Bb Scale and simple rhythmic figures, In the King’s Forest offers young band students a chance to perform and connect to mature musical content.
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!
Lullaby
Lyrical and expressive playing is not beyond early players. This gentle melody uses the first six pitches of the Bb Scale and offers students an opportunity to play smoothly, connected, and with great care to balance of Melody, Harmony, and Bass. There are no “impact” percussion in this piece, only gentle metallic ambience and the rhythmic pulse of the tambourine. This Lullaby ends with a gentle chordal statement, showcasing the moods achievable with only six pitches.
It is important not to play this piece too slowly, so a metronome marking of Quarter Note = 90 has been suggested.
If Finger Cymbals are not available, another triangle or the dome of a suspended cymbal can substitute.
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!
March for Joy
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is most well known for its setting of “Ode to Joy” - a melody most band students will know! March for Joy uses this well loved melody as its inspiration to celebrate learning the fist six notes of the Bb scale and is playable after completing the first few pages of most modern method books. Beginning with a powerful fanfare based on the theme, March for Joy moves through a simple setting, a minor arrangement, and powerful ending statement!
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!
Meditations
This thoughtful piece explores lush and modern harmonies for young band using only the first six notes of the Bb scale. Meditation has two meanings in this work: the first being to think deeply or carefully on an idea and the second to express deep consideration for an idea or topic. Meditations moves through the same motif three times, each time incorporating a new voicing in the band to explore how the harmonies and meanings change. A minimal and gentle work, all notes should be fully sustained and all silences should be still and lingering.
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!
Pomp and Ceremony
Pomp is a ceremony splendid display especially in public; Pomp and Celebration is a splendid display of pride in accomplishment for your students! This uplifting and bright piece allows every instrument family to play its own unique melody while also functioning as harmony or accompaniment. Perfect for graduations, ceremonies, or school special events, Pomp and Ceremony uses only the first six notes of the Bb Scale and simple rhythmic values while capturing the pride and joy of the occasion!
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!
Tango de 6 Notas
The Tango is a South American partner dance with influence from Africa and Europe, it is a flexible and varied dancing style enjoyed the world over. The modal style of this piece - using the first 6 notes of the Bb scale - calls to the style’s heritage and the driving ostinato in the low, middle, and percussion voices help drive the dance-like feel forward. Flashy and fun, Tango de 6 Notas (6 Note Tango) is an exciting and accessible piece for students who have completed the first few pages of their beginning band method book.
I hope you and your students enjoy this piece!