March of the Shadows Concert Band - Sheet Music

SKU: IG.CBS163

9 x 12 in inches.

March of the Shadows is a Grade 1 1/2 work for second-year elementary band. As a veteran elementary band director,
I am keenly aware of what students are able to accomplish at this level. March of the Shadows is a fun, slightly
challenging, and completely achievable work. It is a work that would be useful at the beginning of the school year
when it feels too summery to begin holiday music. March of the Shadows would be perfect for a Halloween or
Autumn Concert.
March of the Shadows begins with a whistle! It calls the show by announcing each new section of the piece. (A
study of form.) It even reacts to a momentary modulation. The whistle part has all sorts of fun staging potential,
including having it played by the director! The initial whistle is followed by a percussion introduction which sets the
beat. Seven percussion parts, three of them optional, have been included so that everyone in a large percussion
section will be kept engaged and out of trouble! The body of the work includes two alternating themes, one dark and
shadowy in minor, the other bright, heroic and slightly syncopated in major. Every part gets the melody at some
point, even the low brass and woodwinds! Ranges are all standard for early second-year band players, i.e. clarinets
do not go over the break, trumpets do not go higher than middle line B, the snare drum part is sprinkled with basic
rudiments such as flams and paradiddles. Even the horn gets a crack at the tune! Every part is fun, interesting and
educational.