As One: 2nd Percussion

The optional solos create a perfect teaching moment about ensemble texture and balance without requiring your strongest players to carry the show. Bernotas weaves these solos into a satisfying full-band climax, letting every student experience the value of individual contribution within the collective sound.

Uplifting and approachable, with a conversational quality that builds from individual voices into a unified sound. The groovy sections inject energy and lightness, while the melodic writing remains singable and satisfying across the ensemble.

Grade 1.5 concert bands seeking an overture with substance and personality. The optional solos make it flexible enough for groups with varied instrumentation while the memorable melodies and groove appeal to students who want to play music that feels contemporary and engaging.

• Shape the memorable melodies with phrase direction; avoid letting them fall flat under the weight of the groove section's rhythmic energy.
• Balance the optional soloists carefully so they emerge clearly but remain anchored to the ensemble's harmonic foundation.
• Use the groove section to lock in rhythmic precision across all sections; the fun factor depends on rock-solid ensemble pulse.

Program this as an opener to set a positive, energetic tone for a concert, or use it in a contest setting where the balance of accessibility and musical substance counts. Its runtime (3:20) makes it an ideal pairing with slightly longer or more challenging pieces on the same program.

• Balancing individual lines with ensemble blend
• Sustaining rhythmic accuracy in groove-based writing
• Responding to phrase direction and melodic shape
• Listening to optional soloists while maintaining section cohesion