Ascension: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Randall D. Standridge
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PK-0008776
$80.00
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Description
This glorious, lyrical work by Randall Standridge combines "Nearer My God to Thee" with "Be Thou My Vision" in an intriguing and powerful meditation on mortality and beauty. Ascension includes moments of absolute faith contrasted with episodes of doubt and wonder as the music evolves in a reflection of life experience. Stunning. (4:30)
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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic Symphonic Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PK-0008776
More about this title
About the Composer: Randall D. Standridge
Randall D. Standridge is a prolific composer whose works span concert band, orchestra, and choral ensembles. His compositions are known for their accessibility at the school level combined with genuine musical substance, making him a fixture in band programs across North America. Standridge's output includes hundreds of published works that balance contemporary writing with approachable ranges and intuitive part writing.
His music often draws on hymnic traditions and spiritual themes, exploring how familiar melodies can be reimagined through modern compositional techniques. Teachers and conductors value his consistent ability to engage both student performers and audiences while maintaining artistic integrity.
Why we love this
Standridge weaves two beloved hymn melodies into a single emotional arc, creating something that feels both reverent and contemporary. The Grade 3 instrumentation opens this piece to a broad range of programs without sacrificing the profound meditation on faith and mortality that drives the work. It programs beautifully as a centerpiece for a concert with thematic cohesion, and the 4:30 length gives it weight without demanding excessive rehearsal time.
What to expect
Ascension unfolds like a quiet conversation with mortality and faith. The music breathes with moments of crystalline clarity punctuated by passages of searching, almost questioning texture. Over four and a half minutes, the familiar hymn melodies become vehicles for something larger than nostalgia—a genuine exploration of how we make sense of beauty and loss.
Who it's for
Concert band directors working at the Grade 3 level who want repertoire with real emotional and spiritual depth. This piece serves ensembles ready to engage with thematic sophistication and expressive playing without extreme technical demands. It's equally suited to festival programs, community bands, or school concerts seeking substance and accessibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening lines with a warm, singing quality. Even at Grade 3, students can achieve legit voice-leading if you conduct with attention to phrase direction rather than just marking time.
- Identify the moments where doubt creeps in (the textural shifts and harmonic tension) and contrast them deliberately with moments of absolute faith. These emotional landmarks help the band grasp the larger arc.
- Balance the two hymn tunes when they appear. Neither should overshadow the other; instead, let them converse and support one another as the meditation unfolds.
- Resist the urge to rush the reflective passages. Younger bands sometimes push tempo when they're uncertain, but this piece asks for restraint and space for the listener to sit with the questions being asked.
How to use it
Program this piece as the emotional anchor of a concert exploring spiritual or philosophical themes. It pairs naturally with other reflective works or serves as a powerful closer that sends the audience home in thoughtful silence. Consider pairing it with contrasting material earlier in the program so the full arc of the evening has shape.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained legit singing tone across all dynamic levels
- Phrase direction and long-line listening in harmonic contexts
- Balancing multiple melodic lines when hymn tunes overlap
- Expressive playing that serves emotional content rather than technical display
- Reading and performing in sacred music idiom with authentic style