Above the Clouds: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$50.00 USD

Above the Clouds: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Above the Clouds: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 81-CB225490
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock

For Concert Band

By Dan Austin

Item: 81-CB225490

$50.00

Shipped

One moment…

Humans have a fascination with flying and being up above the clouds, soaring like a bird. From the smallest children to full grown adults, we all have this level of wonder with the idea of being up in the sky. Above the Clouds was written by Dan Austin to celebrate that feeling and the sensation of flight. This piece is specifically designed for beginning players, only using six pitches and a limited rhythmic pallet. All parts are doubled, giving the young musicians security across the band. This piece is also a great educational tool for introducing dynamics, slurring, staccato and accents. (1:45)

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Series: Eighth Note Publications

Publisher: Eighth Note Publications

ISBN10: 1-77893-134-0

ISBN13: 978-1-77893-134-5

SKU: 81-CB225490

More about this title

About the Composer: Dan Austin

Dan Austin brings over two decades of teaching experience to his work as Band Director and Instrumental Music Teacher at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute in Ontario, Canada. His contributions to music education have earned him significant recognition, including the Keith Mann Outstanding Band Directors Award from Musicfest Canada and the Canadian National Arts Centre in 2022, as well as the inaugural Beckwith Award from the Canadian Music Centre in 2020.

A graduate of York University's Jazz Music Program, Austin remains deeply engaged with the music education community through conference presentations, journal contributions, and guest lectures at major Canadian universities including the University of Toronto, McMaster, and York. His dual expertise in jazz and concert music informs compositions that prioritize both musical integrity and pedagogical clarity.

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Why we love this

Austin has crafted something genuinely useful here: a piece that captures the excitement of flight without overwhelming beginning players with technical demands. The doubling of all parts removes a major source of anxiety for young musicians while still allowing them to feel like they're part of a real ensemble sound. Teaching articulation, dynamics, and phrasing matters far more than note count, and this score creates natural opportunities for all three.

What to expect

Light, buoyant, and tinged with wonder. The piece captures that moment when you look out an airplane window and forget to worry about anything else. Underneath the simplicity runs a genuine melodic line that invites players to think about phrasing and expression, not just note accuracy.

Who it's for

This works beautifully for beginning concert bands (grades 4, 6) taking their first steps into structured ensemble playing. It's equally valuable as a festival selection that allows young musicians to experience performance success without requiring extensive rehearsal time to achieve musical maturity.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody line across your first parts; with only six pitches, clarity of phrasing matters more than blend across the band.
Use the contrast between legato and staccato passages to keep students engaged with the shape of the music rather than just the mechanics of playing.
Let the rise and fall of dynamics follow the arc of flight. Your conductors beat should mirror the gentle climbing and soaring that the composer has written into the piece.

How to use it

Open a family concert with this piece to establish an accessible, joyful tone that welcomes newer listeners. Because it's short (1:45), it pairs well as a palate-cleanser between heavier works on a festival or spring concert program.