This fanfare/march style piece follows all of the basic rules for Grade 0.5. The main areas of focus for this piece are notes and rhythms especially - as almost every variation/combination of quarters and eighths is explored. There is a very clear roadmap with regards to dynamics and articulation.

Programming Suggestion: Beginning Band end of year performance, or B100 festival entry

There are huge advantages to involving (single sheet) repertoire from an early stage. This piece includes all of the essentials: rhythmic simplicity incorporating rest counting, a lesson in articulation, a few easy dynamics with no sudden change, and the Bb Major "safe place".

Programming Suggestion: Winter Concert Opening Selection for a first or combined junior group

Euphoria utilizes the B flat major scale with a flat 7th (concert a flat) within the melody - a fantastic tool to bridge the gap before venturing into Eb major study. Melodic and background rhythms are reasonable for beginners in 4/4 and there is a consistent flow/drive via the tempo. This is also a great tool for articulation and clarity.

Programming Suggestion: Classtime study and Canadian content/Festival entry for a B100 ensemble. This would also work very well in a mass band (eg multiple schools) setting.

This is a Grade .5 piece which incorporates concert E natural.It sits on a steady (easy) eighth note pulse and is intended to add a minor keyed colour to your programme. The piece is short and can be used in-class as a performance goal.

Programming Suggestion: Festival or Concert in 2nd half of the first year, or for a mixed first-second year group

This easy lyrical piece is a good way to bring 3/4 metre into the mix. The melody uses half notes and generally, the piece is based around the 2+1 rhythm. The piece does not exceed the first 6 notes. There is active percussion throughout which is a thoughtful move by the composer.

Programming Suggestion: Class time study as a supplement to method book, likely later or end of Year One. Spring Concert performance plausible

Secret Caverns follows most of the Grade 0.5 rules while incorporating 7th chords and slightly different textures than what we are used to in this level. The low voice group does get an opportunity at the melody. There is a very clear blueprint for rhythms, articulation and dynamics laid out in every part - this will make a solid teaching supplement.

Programming Suggestion: End of Year Concert for a first year group and/or class time supplementary study

Archetypes is a grade one modal piece based on a few recurring rhythms and a simple short melodic statement. There are a few shifts in tempo/section changes added for contrast.

Programming Suggestion: Spring Concert for a combined group

Fortune and Glory is a period-sounding programmatic piece meant to depict a Swashbuckling action movie.The piece employs active percussion parts across more physical instruments than usual at this level. There is no rhythm exceeding the 4/4 eighth note however there is sime section-independent movement between main melody and background parts.

Programming Suggestion: End of year performance with an older beginner group or Festival Opening selection at B100

As most composers have gravitated toward C minor, Christina Huss has set this piece in G minor. There is a lttle groove section in the middle of the piece, which is otherwise a louder and more intense opportunity for the band to "Slay the Giant" with their clean articulations and consistent sense of tempo!!

Programming Suggestion: School Concert

Radioactive is a faster piece with a twist on phrasing including a 9 bar phrase and a 10 bar phrase which both contain the main melody. This piece is very advanced for Grade 1 particularly for the (very active) percussion requirements. A large section will be needed. Otherwise it is a good piece to highlight articulation and rhythmic accuracy across the band.

Programming Suggestion: This piece would pass for a B200 entry closing selection, and most appropriate for older/high school players (plausibly a combined/split level band)

Whispers in the Wind is a gentle lyrical piece written for first-year bands with only one part per instrument, providing security for each section while presenting independence between parts. This allows for maximum harmonic color which promotes interesting interactions between the musicians and allows for many expressive opportunities. This is a short enough (plausible) way to introduce slow music into the daily rehearsal menu!

Programming Suggestion: Lyrical Festival selection at B100

This lyrical is a great opportunity for ensemble development in terms of unified sound, phrasing and especially intonation (as the texture is thick in some spots). This is melodic, totally accessible, and it's not tedious or drawn out!

Programming Suggestion: Canadian Content lyrical festival entry, or school based service/assembly

Argonautica, the epic quest of Jason and the Argonauts, is the inspiration for this work. The piece features a new teachable level of dynamic contrast, and distinct sections which all build directinoally. The workload is distributed FAIRLY! This is its usual RELIABLE Vince Gassi SOUND!

Programming Suggestion: Festival Entry in B100 for Opening or Closing selection and Canadian Content

Randall Standridge does his thing. The piece is engaging, like most of them in this Darklands series. And just like the others, this march is FULL of teachable moments. To highlight a few: short articulation, call and response melodies, percussion parts which make sense, active bass line parts which aren't all that boring.

Programming Suggestion: Local concert opener or closer, classtime use for rhythm/articulation, B100 or (maybe) B200 festival entry

Michael Oare can always be relied upon to provide a "groove" piece for the band to work on pulse, ostinato, and overall ensemble rhythm. The percussion parts (though they are a little bit thinner in terms of number of vital players needed) are very important here - There is a percussion section feature included! Neat (at times jazz) sonorities make the piece stand out.

Programming Suggestion: B200 festival entry or any concert. This is a VERY good piece to have in the folders year 'round to use as a tempo/groove "check-in".

Rising Earth/View from the Moon is a musical depiction which utilizes things like clapping, handheld and smaller percussion, and colourful (miniature) countermelodies. There are some sonoric shifts to watch out for as well as a driving/energetic ending in the parallel major key of the piece.

Programming Suggestion: Articulation study supplement and/or Concert/Festival selection - this one will probably work best with older accelerated players (ie Grade 9 or Grade 10 band)

Only two remain. The title of "champion" hangs in the balance. Welcome to the soundtrack of the ultimate battle, featuring powerful (but accessible) percussion writing, ominous harmonies, and victorious fanfares. This is a pretty LOUD piece overall.

Programming Suggestion: Spring Concert Selection for a young band

The characteristic of this piece beyond it's drastically contrasting sections, are the motives themselves. The interplay between top end melody and bottom end background differentiates this piece from ALL of the other modal sounding pieces at this level. Also, this composer uses brake drums in alot of his music!

Programming Suggestion: Concert or Festival B200 entry

Voyages, is a intedned to be a musical representation of travel and discovery - as we visit a far-off land represented by moody modal melodies and driving percussion rhythms. The piece is part of the Alfred Performance Plus Series, which includes additional online supplementary materials.

Programming Suggestion: Winter Concert Selection for a 2nd-3rd year ensemble or a September start up piece

As Days Go By is representative of James Swearingen's current sound. Set in 4/4 and B Flat Major with a latter E flat statement, this is a multi sectioned piece with a thick texture (for a Grade 2 piece) and for the most part, the voices are moving together. Small flute solo at the end of the piece, high F in trumpet (to the tonic of the E flat scale).

Programming Suggestion: B200 Lyrical festival entry , Remembrance Day service, or Mass service

A 3/4 version of the Randall SOUND, this is reminiscent of the originals (ie Afterburn etc) . Catchy uplifting melody, excellent percussion parts, melody is distributed, there's somewhat of a groove, and a single tempo fast piece to practice counting 3/4 rhythms on the fly.

Programming Suggestion: Festival Closing selection at B200

Inspired by the sounds of epic film and video game scores, One Final Mission's Flexible arrangement assumes all of the musical characteristics of the original full band work. This is an energetic work which has elements of Grade 2 band fundamentals such as articulation, dynamic variation, driving rhythms and percussion, and much more.

Programming Suggestion: Class and lighter concert performance with a smaller instrumentation-limited ensemble

Skedaddle is written by a composer who is known for his lighter themed and spring concert music. The piece contains pulsating rhythms, shifting accents, and sudden dynamic outbursts - there are a fair number of concepts to teach here at the end of which, is a musical puzzle to assemble in order to perform the piece!

Programming Suggestion: Festival closing selection with a B200 advanced entry (ie a secondary school B200 band)

Starlight Adventures is a 3/4 piece with lyrical and fast sections. The opening provides an opportunity for expressive playing and some early interpretation study. The fast section employs clear articulation differences as well as a driving eighth note pulse which is sometimes rare in 3/4 fast pieces/movements. The piece is part of the Alfred Performance Plus Series, which includes additional online supplementary materials.

Programming Suggestion: Concert or Festival Closing selection

This is a slightly differeht sound for a grade 2 lyrical in that the phrases are broken up between sections. The reference to Dvorak in the middle section is established via call and response. This is a great piece for phrasing (especially unified note releases) and for that reason, this is likely more appropriate for an older band.

Programming Suggestion: B200 lyrical festival entry, or concert interlude for an older and more developed ensemble.

There is composer's intentional imagery associated with the title of the piece - but overall it is more of a study towards alternating/mixed metre, ostinato, rhythm/counting, and bringing out the "drama" in programmatic music. Again, this is a loud piece which may turn out to be an endurance consumer, so RATION YOUR CHOPS!

Programming Suggestion: Combined grade (eg 9-12) secondary Spring concert closing selection as well as classroom study

Beyond These Horizons is a CLEAN grade 2.5 lyrical. CLEAN melody, regular phrases (with a few interludes thrown in, but they make sense), some chromaticism here and there, and some interesting modulations through the transitional section of the piece. The melodic material is quite expressive and identifiable - this is a very good opportunity for interpretation here. Look out for the upper woodwind trio near the end of this piece!

Programming Suggestion: Lyrical selection for a B200 or B300 festival entry - or a good supplementary piece for local themed performance and expressive study

Echoes of Time is built around a recurring eighth note motive which itself is totally dependent on clear/short articulation. This is scored against a dotted (syncopated) background groove (again, in staccato). This is the type of piece where the half note people will be the ones adjusting the tempo while the eighth note rhythmic people are laying it down - its a great challenge piece for sure!

Programming Suggestion: plausibly a B300 festival entry or themed/late school concert for an advancing ensemble or combioned/split level 10-12

Endurance is an overture style work with many different ideas. The faster sections are fast-paced and as such, the transition between said ideas is quick. The middle slow section gives the initial melodic material to the lower voiced instruments. There is a chimes solo in the 2nd transition, as well as some interesting rhythmic material and again - short and quick ideas.

Programming Suggestion: Festival Entry at B200

Fiesta! contains many Mexican folk rhythms that are common in mariachi music, which makes this a perfect piece to introduce your students to the music of Mexico. Fun and active percussion parts in this piece - which is a very interesting mix of traditional band music percussion writing alongside the mexican rhythms and sounds. Countermelodies and independent movement are rich throughout the piece.

Programming Suggestion: Winter or Spring or Themed Concert Interlude

Rhythm, Syncopation, articulation, accuracy, tempo, VERY ACTIVE/involved percussion writing, and a 2 note motive are the backbone of this Grade 2.5 piece - likely best achieved by an older group.

Programming Suggestion: Concert or Festival with a combined/split level ensemble with limited rehearsal time. Since the piece is somewhat of a puzzle, full band time is the best scenario - sectional time won't be as effective

Turqouise is a dedicatory piece to a helpful/caring student. There are a few modulations, and melody ideas. It has some very nice and flowing parts in the middle voices. There are MANY pieces out there in the 2.5 category which are similar, but this is the 2024 voice.

Programming Suggestion: Lyrical Festival selection for a B300 entry

Cherished is as good an example as any of the ROBERT SHELDON SOUND. Rich memorable melodies which are identifiable, and clean smooth modulations within phrases and transitions. There is a lot of intonation challenge (ear training oppotunities using the intervals especially!!) in this piece above and beyond the expressive/interpretative demands.

Programming Suggestion: Festival Lyrical Selection for a B300 Concert Band

Canadian composer D.I.D. Choi has written New Places for band. The piece is energetic and has a certain flow to it, as well as a distinct NEW sound. It is a multi sectioned piece with bold melodic statements, a very expressive 3/4 lyrical interlude with some major instrumental solos. There is independent movement and countermelodic lines in all of the sections of this piece - parts of it will be great for teaching and rehearsing this concept.

Programming Suggestion: Canadian Content and closing festival selection for a B300 ensemble with experience

This is the most unique and different piece on this list - based on expressionistic art from a distinctive collection. There is a great teaching and learning challenge in that, there are melody and accompanying lines which are NOT stepwise motion. There are intervallic relationships and leap-wise passages throughout. There is a major oboe solo. Sophisitcated sonority for this grade level.

Programming Suggestion: Featured cross curricular concert, study, and/or Festival selection for a B300 group particularly in a festival with a 2-piece programme as the movements are all VERY contrasting.

Adapted from one of Ola Gjeilo's most performed choral works, this transcription of Ubi Caritas explores the variety of colours in the wind band. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Gregorian chant tradition, the opening unison section evokes a haunting mood of medieval times. The piece gradually unfolds as modern harmonies and rich textures are introduced creating an emotional setting.

Programming Suggestion: B300 lyrical festival entry, mass or in-school service piece.

Cinematic in nature, Wind Power is another great Canadian composition by BC;'s Robert Buckley. The piece is set around eighth note motivic "tone clusters" which ebb and flow to depict the flow (and power) of Wind as it blows at different speeds. There are distinctive sections to this piece, most notably the middle contrasting lyrical material - which has different sonorities and quick modulations for a rich and sophisticated sound before a quick, consistent and somewhat intense recap/ending.

Programming Suggestion: Canadian Content Festival Entry for a B300 ADVANCED ensemble - upper grades!

Chasing Crimson is a driving festival or concert work based around a few rhythmic motives and melodic fragments. There is some degree of technical difficulty but the motives in question are generally recurring. The percussion parts are quite engaging as well, giving multiple players an opportunity to be an integral piece of the tempo. There are some "punched" pieces of dissonance for effect, as well as themes around the harmonic minor scale sequence.

Programming Suggestion: Concert or Festival opening or closing selection

Journey of a Comet is an example of band multi-tasking. Many different things are happening at once throughout the piece. Mixed metre, thematic material based on recurring motives - motives which rely heavily on crisp articulations, and a constant tempo and pulse are just some of the characteristics of this piece.

Programming Suggestion: Concert or Festival Closing selection for an advanced group

This is a project piece for an advanced ensemble. There is complexity in the fanfare section but ultimately, time/tempo are at the forefront. The piano part is emphasized and exposed several times - there are solo and sectional lines throughout the piece, most notably the horns in the middle section, and several high flute solos. A full (5+) well versed percussion section is needed.

Programming Suggestion: Upper level festival enttry or Final Concert

Sonic Pathways is graded by the publisher as a 3.5. It's not. It falls somewhere between 4-4.5 in Ontario. There are some stereotypical band sounds, and some VERY different ideas as well which make this piece FRESH. There's a lot of technical stuff for the upper woodwinds and some focused percussion work as well. There are instrument solos and lines which require STRONG chops (1st trumpet has a sustained high D at one point).

Programming Suggestion: This is a technical , long term study piece which would likely come off very well as a Festival Closing selection for either a B400 or B500 entry (the latter provided the other set pieces have satisfied syllabus/lyrical requirements)

This Serenade is literally just that: a musical tribute to one of the GREATS of the band word, Dr. Paula Crider. The piece is made up of sustained lines, extremely important piano and mallets parts, and flowing instrumental solos (high flute, oboe, horn). There are some voicing things in here, which result in some precariously exposed sections. There is NO real melody in this piece, just fragments and 4 note motives - this is typical of this composer. Harmonically, there is a distinct sound which will only be properly interpreted by a very advanced band.

Programming Suggestion: Community Band lyrical selection, Concert lyrical selection, this would also be a neat piece to include as a convocation interlude