A Zillion Nickels: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Samuel R. Hazo
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00311468
$80.00
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Description
When you look out at the ocean, what does it resemble? This unique, driving composition paints that picture. The upper Atlantic beaches hold many stories, from beautifully scenic sunrises to the wrath of Hurricane Sandy. Three high schools in Toms River, New Jersey commissioned the musical depiction of their celebrated shore, from joy to turbulence. The heavy emphasis on percussion only adds to the exciting build and powerful ending.
Dur: 4:15
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00311468
More about this title
About the Composer: Samuel R. Hazo
Samuel R. Hazo is a composer whose work centers on translating visual and natural phenomena into orchestral sound. His commissions from high schools and regional ensembles demonstrate his gift for writing music that resonates with student musicians while maintaining compositional substance and clarity.
Hazo's approach to program music emphasizes rhythmic vitality and textural orchestration, particularly his resourceful use of the percussion section to build dramatic arc. His Grade 3 works remain accessible without sacrificing musical ambition or regional specificity.
Why we love this
This piece succeeds because it gives your students a concrete narrative to follow without resorting to gimmicks. The ocean imagery is earned through driving rhythmic momentum and intelligent percussion layering that builds genuine excitement. At Grade 3, the writing respects your ensemble's developing abilities while offering enough textural variety and dynamic range to keep players engaged throughout.
What to expect
A surge of energy and motion. The piece captures both the serene beauty of a coastal sunrise and the relentless power of ocean swells, moving from lyrical moments into driving, percussive intensity. By the powerful final section, you feel the full force of nature.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the intermediate level seeking repertoire that balances accessibility with genuine musicality. This work appeals to musicians who respond to extra-musical context and enjoy the challenge of building ensemble cohesion through rhythmic coordination.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the pulse: the lower voices establish the oceanic rhythm, so ensure your tuba and trombone section locks in on the fundamental pattern early in rehearsal.
- Shape the percussion entry strategically. Each new percussion layer should feel like the ocean is building rather than simply getting louder.
- The final section's power comes from precision, not volume. Tighten articulation across all sections in the climactic passages.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to help sections understand how their individual lines contribute to the overall forward motion.
How to use it
Program this as an opener or second piece to establish energy early in a concert, or save it for the second half when audiences have settled in and can appreciate the dynamic journey. The four and a quarter minute duration fits comfortably into festival formats or regional concert programming alongside standard Grade 3 repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in unison and sectional passages
- Dynamic control from pianissimo through fortissimo
- Listening and balance adjustments within a driving textural context
- Stamina and breath support over sustained passages
- Coordinating independent percussion lines into unified effect