Annotated Bibliography for Elementary Band and Orchestra (grades .5 through 2.

5): 25 total (minimum of 10 for a single category)

Title Composer/ Publisher Grade Level Instrumentation Key signatures Time Range Rhythmic patterns Annotative Comments
Arranger signatures

Escape from Scott Alfred 1.5 Band G minor Four/Four A percussion piece with driving eighth notes throughout the
Thunder Mountain
Watson beginning, which transitions into a thin textured chorale
section. This piece carries many accidentals as well.

Ghost Ship Michael Alfred 1 Band C minor, D minor Three/Four Spooky piece which uses a lot of dissonance clashing with a
Story melodic line. Balance could be a key subject of this piece to
ensure the melody can still be heard.
The Great Robert W. Belwin 2 Band G minor Four/Four, Over an octave Eighth-Eighth- Exciting piece that is full of percussion sounds. Big horn
Locomotive Chase
Smith Three/Four quarter. Quarter note melody and solo. Big low brass section toward the end.
triplets Imagery is developed through the characteristic train sounds
created.

Skybridge Suite Robert Alfred 2 Band Eb major, Bb Four/Four, Occassional high Sixteenth note runs 3 movement suite with many accidentals. Each movement
Sheldon major, F major Three/Four notes for certain uses a different style of band music. The multiple keys and
instruments. styles provide a more complex piece that is not
overcomplicated by hard rhythms and advanced techniques.

Astronomica Michael Alfred 2 Band C minor Four/Four About an octave Syncopation Articulate piece with trumpets leading the melody.
Story Countermelody in the woodwinds is slurred and contrasts the
articulate pattern in the brass.
Avenger Rob Grice Alfred 2 Band Bb major and G Four/Four Standard young Syncopation and Punchy and articulate A section, Darker B section in relative
minor band range sixteenth note minor, and then back to A seciton melody. The melody
figures. contains some fast moving notes, which may pose a challenge
to students.
Counterbalance Todd Alfred 2.5 Band C minor Four/Four Syncopation Fast piece that begins with a full texture with multiple layers
Stalter of sound. The intensity builds with accents on syncopated
beats. Fun and aggressive A section. B section uses the
Vulcan's Forge Patrick Alfred 0.5 Band g minor Four/Four woodwinds
This piece isprimarily
weightedtoand
lead theheavy
has singing natureThe
accents. of the section.
timbre of
Roszell the brake drum is also unique to many students.
Dragon Bridge Victor Alfred 0.5 Band C minor Four/Four Octave Quarter-eighth- A intense piece that uses the c minor scale as its melody,
Lopez eighth-quarter heavy with percussion, and has room for expressiveness from
the amount of dynamic changes.

Fanfare and Robert Alfred 1 Band Bb major Four/Four 6 notes Quarter-eighth- Trumpets take the melody in the A section of this piece.
Festival
Sheldon eighth-quarter Articulate section, smoothe melodic section, and back to
articulate.

Liturgical Fanfare Robert W. Alfred 1 Band Eb major Four/Four Octave Quarter-eighth- This piece uses the trumpets to lead the triumpant melody.
Smith eighth-quarter The texture is layered throughout the piece which provides a
unique effect which may pose a challenge to students.
Call to the Heroes Chris M. Alfred 1.5 Band Eb major Four/Four Octave Dotted quarter This is a heroic sounding piece, with fanfare features from the
Bernotas brass and lots of snare and timpani.

Procession of Robert W. Alfred 1 Band Bb major Four/Four Octave Another heroic piece with lots of brass and percussion. Full
Heroes
Smith and chords that help students with initial work on tone production.
Michael
Story

Miniature Richard alfred 0.5 Orchestra D major Four/Four, straight eighth notes Four movement symphony with a full texture throughout the
Symphony
Myers Three/Four piece. Each movement is smooth and connected except the
third movement which has a waltz feel to it.
Our Heroes Susan H. Alfred 1.5 Orchestra E minor Four/Four octave and a half A piece with simple rhythms, but uses more advanced
Day techniques like pizzicato and split parts. The melody is passed
around the sections and would be good for students to work
on balancing.

A (Very) Short arr. Alfred 1 Orchestra G major Three/ Octave A piece that touches on the historical pieces of western music.
History of Music
Douglas E. Four, The notes are primarily slower and smoothe, giving students
Wagner four/four the opportunity to focus more on bow speed and tone
Elegy and Dance production.
Richard Alfred 1 Orchestra E minor, Dmajor Three/ A slow introduction, leading to a bouncy middle section, and a
Meyer Four, darker melodic section. Dynamic contrast should be a focus
four/four for teaching this piece, as well as matching attacks and
releases.
Sea Venture Todd Alfred 1 Orchestra E minor Four/Four Each section in this piece has the opportunity to play the
Parrish melody, and work on matching articulations and style.
Armor of the Mystic Rob Grice Alfred 2.5 Orchestra Eminor Four/Four Dotted rhythms This piece uses a lot of varying articulations and should be
focused on when working with students. The melody is light
and articulate and accompanied by percussion.
Gargoyles Doug Alfred 2 orchestra B minor Four/Four A quick and mysterious piece with challenging technical parts.
Spata The texture is quite layered which could put more pressure on
individual students to learn their parts. Lots of short and crisp
melodic lines.

Across the Wind Doug Alfred 2.5 Orchestra F major Four/Four 16th note patterns Short melody in the lower strings that supports a soaring
Spata melody in the upper strings. Sections with plenty of
accidentals and fast moving lines. Spots for students to
practice vibrato and blend with other sections.

Ashokan Farewell arr. Calvin Alfred 2.5 Orchestra D major Three/Four Dotted quarter A pops concert style piece that has a lot of part independence,
Custer and gives students an opportunity to try to blend and work on
intonation.

Wayfairing Stranger arr. Alfred 2 Orchestra E minor Four/Four dotted eighth notes A classic folk american folk song that begins with bass and
Michael cello on the melody. Each part in itself has technical
Kamuf challenges. Lots of lines starting on the "and" of beats.
Magestic Moonlight Bruce Alfred 2 Orchestra B minor, D major Four/Four Pizzicato Big pizzicato section. Plenty of room to work with expression
Tippette and portraying "Moonlight".

Zombie Dance Michael Alfred 0.5 Orchestra Eminor Four/Four Octave Quarter-eighth- A dark piece that gets students moving across strings more,
Story eighth-quarter while keeping bow speed the same on quarter notes. Lots of
unison which is good for young orchestras.