Above the Clouds: Concert Band Conductor Score

$10.00 USD

Above the Clouds: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Above the Clouds: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 81-CB225490S
Price: 10.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

For Concert Band

By Dan Austin

Item: 81-CB225490S

$10.00

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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

SKU: 81-CB225490S

More about this title

About the Composer: Dan Austin

Dan Austin brings two decades of instrumental music teaching experience to his compositions, currently directing the band program at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute in Ontario. His work has earned recognition across Canada, including the 2022 Keith Mann Outstanding Band Directors Award from Musicfest Canada and the Canadian National Arts Centre, as well as the inaugural Beckwith Award from the Canadian Music Centre in 2020.

A graduate of York University's Jazz Music Program, Austin regularly contributes to professional music education journals and has led clinics at the Ontario Music Educators Association conference. He has also served as a guest lecturer in music education at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and York University.

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Why we love this

Austin's restraint makes this piece shine. By limiting the pitch set to six notes and keeping rhythms straightforward, he removes barriers without sacrificing musicality, letting young players focus on the interpretive tools that matter most. The doubled parts give every section a chance to feel secure and heard, which builds the confidence that beginners need to engage with dynamics and articulation meaningfully.

What to expect

Buoyant and open. The piece carries the lightness and wonder of ascending, with spacious voicing that leaves room for air around every note. There's a real sense of freedom in the orchestration; nothing feels cramped or heavy, which matches the soaring sensation the title promises.

Who it's for

Young concert bands (grades 4-6) or beginning high school ensembles still building foundational skills. This works equally well as a first festival piece or a confidence builder for a group transitioning from method book exercises to actual repertoire.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the dynamic arc as if the band is climbing toward the sky. Resist the urge to jump immediately to forte; let the ascent feel earned through gradual growth.
Work the staccato passages with clarity and consistency across all sections. Young players often drag these, so anchor the pulse with a clear beat pattern and have them echo back short, snappy articulations without the phrase.
Bring out the melody line with a slight projection boost from the first trumpet and clarinet, but only enough that the supporting voices remain audible. The doubled parts should feel like a lift, not a wall.
Record a practice-tempo run-through for your sections to study independently. Beginners benefit from hearing what success sounds like before they aim for performance tempo.

How to use it

Slot this into a concert where you're introducing young audiences to the concert band sound, or use it as your opening number to establish a theme of movement and joy. The short duration (1:45) makes it ideal for festival programs or as a companion to a slightly more challenging piece at the same contest, letting your band play confidently and then stretch into something bigger.