Ariel: Score
By Carl Strommen
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0003759
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Description
This original overture demonstrates a sense of lightness and buoyancy. The title is borrowed from the sprite-like character in William Shakespeare's "The Tempest." A spirit whose name is derived from "air," Ariel is capricious, ethereal, and mischievous---adjectives that apply to this piece. A cherished new addition to the repertoire! (4:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Ariel: 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:
Belwin Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
212
SKU:
00-PR-0003759
More about this title
About the Composer: Carl Strommen
Carl Strommen stands among the most frequently performed composer/arrangers across band, orchestra, jazz, and vocal idioms. His music appears regularly in concert halls, on television, and in film, and he receives consistent commissions from ensembles nationwide and internationally.
Strommen holds a degree from the City College of New York and contributes to the academic world as an adjunct professor of orchestration and composition at C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. His prolific catalog has earned him the ASCAP Standard Writers Award annually. He maintains homes on Long Island and in Colorado, where he spends time with his family.
Why we love this
Strommen captures the essential character of Ariel without pretense or overcomplication. The piece breathes naturally at Grade 3, offering genuine musical substance while remaining accessible to developing musicians. Directors value this overture for its theatrical vitality and its ability to open a concert with real personality and joy.
What to expect
Ariel captures the sprite-like mischief of Shakespeare's character through music that dances and floats rather than sits. The piece carries a sense of theatrical lightness, with the melodic and harmonic language suggesting air, movement, and a touch of impish humor. You hear both the playfulness and the elegance in every phrase.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 3 level seeking an original overture with personality and purpose. Ensembles preparing for concerts or festivals will find this piece rewarding to program, as it demands genuine musicianship while remaining within reach of developing musicians.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the texture transparent, especially in passages where lighter instruments carry melodic lines. Resist the impulse to weight these moments with heavy accompaniment.
- Attend to the spirit of mischief in rhythmic figures. Slight articulative clarity without stiffness will enhance the capricious character.
- Balance the melodic material between sections when it passes from woodwinds to brass. Strommen's orchestration invites conversational exchange rather than dominance.
- Shape phrases with buoyancy in mind. The air-like quality works best when conductors avoid ponderous tempos and instead emphasize lift and forward motion.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener to establish energy and character immediately. It also pairs well alongside heavier works, offering contrast and a sense of theatrical sophistication. The four-minute duration and Grade 3 accessibility make it suitable for festival appearances where a strong opening impression matters.
Skills your students will build
- Transparent texture balancing and light articulation
- Conducting and performing lyrical phrases with forward motion
- Ensemble listening across multiple melodic lines
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
- Responding to character and mood in programmatic music