All the Starry Band: Score
By William G. Harbinson
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0000661
$9.00
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Description
Your band will demonstrate their mastery of phrasing and expression when they play this new work based on the hymn "God of Our Fathers." Motives are drawn from the hymn and provide the melodic and harmonic basis for this lyrical and expressive work. From the gentle opening to the glorious climax, All the Starry Band is perfect for concert/contest season.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, All the Starry Band: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
280
SKU:
00-PR-0000661
More about this title
Why we love this
Harbinson anchors this piece in familiar harmonic and melodic territory by drawing directly from the hymn tune, which gives your students a strong musical foundation while the surrounding lyrical development challenges them to shape phrases with genuine expression. The architecture moves purposefully from restraint to grandeur, making it an ideal showcase for bands ready to demonstrate control of dynamics and ensemble balance without requiring virtuosic technical demands.
What to expect
All the Starry Band unfolds with quiet reverence before building toward a moment of genuine affirmation. The familiar hymn tune provides emotional anchor, while Harbinson's orchestration allows the work to breathe and expand, creating a listening experience that feels both reflective and triumphant.
Who it's for
This work suits bands that have developed foundational ensemble skills and are ready to prioritize phrasing and expressive control. It works equally well for concert season programming and festival competition, making it versatile for groups balancing performance opportunities with musical development.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening phrases with particular attention to breath placement. The gentle exposition needs singers' articulation from your winds to avoid sounding thin.
- Mark the dynamic journey from the opening through the climax in your rehearsal score. Noting specific measures where intensity builds helps the ensemble recognize their role in the overall arc.
- Balance the hymn tune wherever it appears across sections. When the melody passes between clarinets and horns, ensure the handoff feels seamless by matching tone and vibrato.
- Support the brass through the climactic passage with full ensemble commitment. The power of this section depends on every voice contributing, not just the upper brass.
How to use it
This piece serves as a strong centerpiece for a concert program, particularly when paired with contrasting contemporary works or lighter fare. Its hymn foundation also makes it suitable for occasions honoring civic traditions or patriotic themes, and its contest/festival designation places it firmly in your competitive repertoire options for spring season.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained phrasing across phrase boundaries
- Dynamic control from soft to fortissimo
- Ensemble balance and blend in lyrical passages
- Expressive articulation and tone shaping
- Following a large-form harmonic development