Alexander's Ragtime Band: Concert Band Conductor Score

$5.00 USD

Alexander's Ragtime Band: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Alexander's Ragtime Band: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-B1101S
Price: 5.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Irving Berlin / arr. Tom Johns

Grade: 2.5

Item: 98-B1101S

$5.00

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One moment…

Irving Berlin's famous tune gets a swinging ragtime treatment from veteran writer Tom Johns. After an opening statement from the percussion section, the theme is heard and developed throughout the entire band. Feature your first chair musicians in a small dixie band soli. You'll need the bones on the tailgate for this one. (2:00)

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Series: FJH Young Band

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 241444461280

SKU: 98-B1101S

More about this title

About the Composer: Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin (1888-1989) was a Russian-born songwriter who became one of America's most prolific and celebrated composers. He wrote over 1,000 songs across multiple decades, including standards for Broadway, Hollywood, and popular music. Berlin's melodies were instantly memorable and his rhythmic sensibilities shaped American songwriting itself. "Alexander's Ragtime Band," published in 1911, became one of his signature pieces and remains a fixture in concert band and jazz repertoires worldwide.

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Why we love this

Tom Johns's arrangement captures the infectious energy of Berlin's ragtime classic while keeping the texture lean enough for a young band to execute successfully. The Dixieland soli passages give your section leaders a genuine spotlight moment without requiring advanced soloists, and the early entrance of percussion sets a playful tone that keeps audiences engaged from the downbeat. At just over two minutes, this piece delivers maximum impact with minimal rehearsal time.

What to expect

Joyful and swinging, with that distinctive ragtime syncopation that makes audiences smile before the first phrase ends. The arrangement bounces between full band statements and intimate Dixieland moments, creating a sense of playful conversation rather than a single continuous narrative.

Who it's for

Concert bands working at the Grade 2.5 level who want repertoire that entertains audiences without sacrificing musical substance. Directors seeking an energetic, accessible piece that gives multiple sections a chance to shine beyond the typical melody-and-harmony distribution.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening percussion statement with clarity and groove. These opening bars set the ragtime feel, so nail the articulation and rhythmic precision before the band enters.
Balance the Dixieland soli carefully so the featured players shine without drowning out the harmonic foundation. Think conversation rather than solo recital.
Keep the tailgate trombone bone parts relaxed and swinging; this isn't a march, so allow the rhythm section room to breathe and push slightly behind the beat.
Dial in the tempo during rehearsal so it sits comfortably for both the fast note passages and the Dixieland passages. Ragtime pieces lose their charm if players are struggling to keep up.

How to use it

Program this early in a concert as an audience-pleaser that builds goodwill and energy. It pairs well with more contemporary patriotic selections or other early 20th-century American standards, and its upbeat character makes it an ideal palate-cleanser between heavier dramatic works.