After Images: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

After Images delivers exactly what Grade 2 conductors need: an accessible work that doesn't sound like student repertoire. The piece's focus on color and shading invites young musicians to think beyond notes and rhythms, treating ensemble playing as an expressive art. It's written for a real school ensemble, which means Gassi understands the voices and abilities you're actually directing.

After Images unfolds like a series of musical postcards, each with its own mood and texture. You'll move between passages of floating lyricism and sections with forward momentum, creating a kaleidoscopic effect that keeps listeners engaged while remaining transparent in voicing.

Concert band directors seeking Grade 2 repertoire with genuine musical substance. This score works for bands wanting to develop expressive sensibilities and for ensembles that benefit from pieces specifically composed with secondary school instrumentation in mind.

• Shape phrases by varying dynamics and articulation rather than relying on tempo changes; let the floating rhythmic sections breathe naturally without rushing
• Balance between the lyrical themes and driving passages by having students practice each section independently before combining them
• Experiment with rehearsal tempos that bring out the impressionistic quality of the piece; what feels right at performance tempo may obscure the color changes at full speed

Program this as a change of pace on a concert that mixes traditional march-based repertoire with more contemporary sounds. Its moderate length and Grade 2 accessibility make it ideal for mid-program positioning, where it can reset audience attention before heading into heavier works.

• Dynamic shading and expressive control within Grade 2 technical ability
• Balancing ensemble sound across contrasting sections (floating versus driving rhythms)
• Sustained tone production and phrasing over longer melodic lines
• Ensemble listening and blend in lyrical contexts