Asian Folk Rhapsody: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Richard L. Saucedo
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK01205019
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Description
Here is a wonderfully creative and distinctive multicultural piece that will surely be a standout in any festival or contest program. Using three contrasting melodies, Richard has crafted a work that will showcase your band's capabilities in a variety of styles. Included is a quasi march treatment of "The Bamboo Flute", a beautiful chorale setting of "Sakura" and ending with the familiar "Korean Folk Song".
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01205019
More about this title
About the Arranger: Richard L. Saucedo
Richard L. Saucedo shaped the Carmel High School band program in Indiana for three decades, building it into a powerhouse that earned state championships, multiple invitations to the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and consistent top-ten finishes at the Bands of America Grand National Championship. His program claimed BOA national titles in 2005 and 2012, with the remarkable achievement of winning nationals while simultaneously performing at the Midwest Clinic in 2005.
Beyond his classroom legacy, Saucedo has established himself as an accomplished freelance composer and arranger for marching bands, concert bands, choral ensembles, and orchestras. He previously served as brass arranger and composer for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, contributing to five DCI world championships, and currently holds roles as music ensemble coordinator for the Blue Devils and Senior Educational Consultant for Music for All. His contributions to music education earned him Indiana's Bandmaster of the Year award (1998-99), Outstanding Music Educator recognition (2010), and induction into both the Music for All Hall of Fame (2015) and the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame (2022). He is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and serves as Chief Judge Team Leader for Bands of America competitions.
Why we love this
Saucedo balances accessibility with genuine musical substance here. A Grade 2 piece that ventures across three distinct cultural traditions without diluting any of them shows the confidence of someone who understands what young ensembles can accomplish. The tonal variety alone makes this a programming asset: march, chorale, and folk dance movements give your band real textural contrast without requiring advanced technical facility.
What to expect
The piece unfolds like a musical journey across three distinct landscapes. You move from the rhythmic vitality of a Japanese bamboo flute's bounce through the intimate warmth of a cherry blossom meditation, arriving finally at the spirited character of Korean folk melody. Each section feels complete yet connected to the whole.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands seeking thoughtful multicultural programming that doesn't demand extreme technical skill. Directors preparing for festivals and contests will find a piece that sounds accomplished without requiring virtuosic performers or excessive rehearsal time.
How to get the most out of it
- Build contrast between the quasi-march character of 'The Bamboo Flute' and the sustained legato of the 'Sakura' chorale by treating articulation distinctly in each section. Crisp, lighter tonguing in the march gives way to seamless phrase connections in the chorale.
- Let the Korean Folk Song finish drive naturally without over-pushing tempo. The melody carries enough energy on its own when rhythms are clean and ensemble precision is solid.
- Balance solo or featured lines against the ensemble carefully in the chorale section. This movement rewards transparency of inner voices, which means the full band can't overwhelm the moment.
How to use it
Pair this with other Grade 2 standards to create a program that demonstrates your band's stylistic range. Its middle-of-concert energy works well after a heavier opening piece and before something more introspective, or position it as a second-half opener where the tonal shift resets audience attention.
Skills your students will build
- Playing in contrasting articulation styles (staccato march passages versus sustained chorale phrasing)
- Balancing melody and accompaniment across different textures
- Maintaining rhythmic clarity in folk-style melodies with syncopation
- Reading and executing cultural variations in musical style and expression