A Hero's Return: Score
By Douglas A. Richard
Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0001413
$7.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
A Hero's Return was written for the West Point Middle School Band, located at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. The opening section conveys the celebratory atmosphere of when a hero comes home to friends and family. The middle section represents the quiet tribute we pay to the fond memories of heroes no longer in our midst. The return to the initial theme welcomes not only the hero returning today, but symbolizes the hopes for the safe return of all our heroes who so bravely serve this nation. (4:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Hero's Return: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Young Symphonic
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
176
SKU:
00-PR-0001413
More about this title
Why we love this
Richard crafts a piece that honors its ceremonial purpose without sacrificing musical substance. The architecture is elegant: celebratory opening, reflective middle section, and triumphant return create a narrative arc that gives young musicians something genuinely meaningful to express rather than just play through.
What to expect
The opening radiates welcome and joy, warm and straightforward. The middle section invites introspection, asking the ensemble to play with restraint and dignity. When the main theme returns, it feels like affirmation and hope rather than simple repetition.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands ready for a piece with genuine emotional maturity. This works for bands seeking patriotic repertoire with substance, especially those programming a 4th of July or veteran-focused concert.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening fanfare across your sections so the celebration lands with clarity; avoid letting upper woodwinds drowsy the brass declaration of the main theme.
- Shape the middle section with real space and silence. This tribute demands restraint. Let the quiet do the emotional work rather than pushing the dynamics.
- Bring the return of the opening material back with fresh energy and slightly increased confidence, as if the hero's arrival is now certain rather than anticipated.
How to use it
Position this as a centerpiece of a patriotic concert or memorial program where it can breathe and be heard in stillness. Its four-minute length and Grade 2 accessibility make it ideal for a midsummer concert or a ceremony honoring service.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing across longer melodic lines
- Controlling dynamics in a reflective middle section
- Balancing fanfare-style opening material across ensemble sections
- Understanding narrative structure in instrumental music