recommended by Ken T., Band Education Specialist
First Suite in E-flat for Military Band
Chaconne from the First Suite in E-flat arr. Scott Stanton, Grade 3.5
The opening movement from the Holst “First Suite” is now available in the Build-A-Band format. This work is contrapuntal in nature and teaches the importance of independent playing. The flashy 16th note runs are scored for the mallets and snare drum, bringing the technical challenges within your students’ abilities. A perfect selection to make your small band with limited instrumentation sound great! Optional parts for guitar, piano, bass and percussion fill out the band. Choose the best classic contest literature for your students!
Intermezzo from the First Suite in E-flat arr. Scott Stanton, Grade 3.5
Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in Eb For Military Band” is universally considered a band masterwork. This “Build-A-Band” edition places it within reach of those bands with severely limited or awkward instrumentation, making it the perfect selection for your small band with good players sound great! This fast middle movement from the suite teaches young musicians to articulate contrasting staccato and legato passages. Optional parts for guitar, piano, bass and percussion can fill some missing holes in the band.
March from the First Suite in E-flat arr. Scott Stanton, Grade 3.5
The final movement from the Holst “First Suite” has been arranged in the Build-A-Band format by Scott Stanton, making this timeless band classic accessible to small or limited instrumentation ensembles. A top-notch selection for contest, festival or concert performance.
Second Suite in F for Military Band
March from the Second Suite in F arr. Scott Stanton, Grade 3.5
One of the most famous British band compositions, now adapted for the Barnhouse Build-A-Band Series by Scott Stanton. Playable by any instrumentation as long as the four basic parts are covered, this wonderful arrangement will make any very small band sound very impressive!
Songs from the Second Suite in F arr. Scott Stanton, Grade 3
An outstanding new addition to the Build-A-Band Series that includes the “Song Without Words” and “Song of the Blacksmith” movements from this famous suite. Can be combined with Scott’s earlier arrangement of the March movement the same suite to make a wonderful program for concert and contest performances. Now even the smallest bands can successfully perform this great work which is such a staple of the concert band repertoire.
Fantasia on the Dargason arr. Scott Stanton, Grade 3.5
Scott Stanton’s arrangement of this classic Gustav Holst band composition now makes Holst’s entire “Second Suite in F” available in the Build-A-Band format. Playable with any instrumentation as long as you have the four main parts covered by the instrument of your choice, the arrangement includes optional piano, guitar, mallet percussion and percussion parts. Now bands with extreme instrumentation problems or groups of very small size can experience performing this staple of the concert band repertoire. A true classic!
The Planets
Mars from The Planets arr. Johnnie Vinson, Grade 2.5
This dark and sinister movement from Holst’s symphonic masterpiece “The Planets” continues to thrill audiences and performers alike. Hal Leonard’s innovative Flex-Band series is designed to provide exciting music for bands with incomplete or unbalanced instrumentation. Written using just five parts (plus percussion), these arrangements will work with virtually ANY combination of brass or woodwinds – even strings.
Suite from The Planets arr. Johnnie Vinson, Grade 2-3
The powerful and evocative music of Gustav Holst remains as relevant today as ever before. From “The Planets,” here is a concise suite of the movements Mars, Venus, and Jupiter.
No matter what your in-person or remote teaching requires, shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Author:
A former band director, Ken taught grade 5-12 band and music appreciation in both public and parochial schools in central Ohio, and has been at Stanton’s since 2004. His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies. His interests include reading, history, traditional amusement parks, the Muppets, and hockey (especially the Penguins).
Categories: Composers, Concert Band, Music Education, Staff Picks
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