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Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions

Posted by Grade 1 Director on 1/11/2021, 4:31 pm

I have a very small band that will be going to UIL due to COVID. Looking for Easy Grade 1 suggestions that do not rely heavily on low brass or percussion. I have strong Trumpets and Woodwinds.

Re: Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions

Posted by Just saying .. on 1/12/2021, 9:05 am, in reply to "Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions"

Look into Two English Dances by O'Reilly. It's not that difficult, flutes and clarinets carry the melody the entire time, and there are two percussion parts per "dance." Low brass and reeds are block scored the entire time - can be done with any one or two of them covering the parts.

Re: Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions

Posted by 3A Guy on 1/12/2021, 12:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions"

I would second Two English Dances. Did this with a group of under 30 - no tuba, 2 baritones. Made a first division.

Re: Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions

Posted by DesertJazz on 1/11/2021, 9:08 pm, in reply to "Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions"

Sakura has a temple block part that matters, but most of the rest of the percussion isn't that important. A good clarinet section could make that work with that instrumentation.

Corps of Discovery has a trumpet solo and leans more on the upper winds than the lower winds if I remember correctly.

Dance Celebration tends to go together with weaker groups pretty well too.

Re: Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions

Posted by Corps of Discovery on 1/12/2021, 9:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions"

There is a lot there. I would be careful programing this one. Courtland County by Owens is a suggestion. There is an active but not hard snare part in the first and last part of the piece. Nice woodwinds in the middle. The low brass is pretty much block scored in unisons.

Re: Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions

Posted by Pirate on 1/11/2021, 7:56 pm, in reply to "Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions"

Dorian Chant

Re: Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions

Posted by WBB on 1/12/2021, 1:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Small Band Grade 1 Suggestions"

Dorian Chant relies evenly on all sections. This could be a hit or miss piece if the OP is worried about reliance on Low Brass.

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