And to All a Good Night (A Holiday Encore for Band): Bassoon

Smith and Story have taken a familiar melody and turned it into a genuine section feature showcase. Rather than a straightforward arrangement, this piece gives clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, and trombone their own distinctive musical moments, keeping every player engaged and invested. At Grade 1.5, the writing is genuinely accessible without feeling thin or oversimplified.

Cheerful and spirited, with a sense of friendly competition as different sections take the spotlight. The arrangement bounces along with the lightheartedness of the original melody while maintaining genuine musicality and orchestration that respects the concert band sound.

Any concert band working at the Grade 1 to early Grade 2 level can successfully perform this arrangement. It suits holiday programs, festival closers, or any concert where you need an uplifting finale that keeps every player actively contributing.

• Let each section claim ownership of their rendition. The clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, and trombone passages each have distinct character; encourage players to listen to the arrangements written for other sections so they understand the full landscape.
• The extensive cross cuing means you can perform this with confidence even if a chair is temporarily empty. Mark the primary part clearly in rehearsal so students know which line they're following.
• Balance the festive energy without losing clarity. At 2:45, this encore thrives on buoyant articulation and clean attacks; resist the urge to drag the tempo despite the holiday context.
• Use the concert band recording available separately as a reference for style and pacing, but trust your own ensemble's personality to shine through.

Program this as a second-half encore or as the closing selection on a winter concert. Its brevity and accessible difficulty make it an ideal choice when you want to build confidence in younger ensembles or when you need a piece that brings genuine joy without overshadowing more substantial works earlier in the program.

• Responding to section-specific scoring and balance adjustments
• Reading and executing musical character changes across multiple arrangements of a single melody
• Listening to ensemble sonority and blending within section-featured passages
• Maintaining steady tempo and rhythmic confidence in an accessible yet musically substantive arrangement