At the Edge of the Sea: Baritone B.C.
By Kirk Vogel
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PC-0018878_BBC1
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Description
At the Edge of the Sea by Kirk Vogel is an energetic composition that depicts the sounds and activity associated with coastal waters. The motion of birds along the coastline is successfully characterized through the use of moving eighth notes, larger intervals, accents and some mixed meter. All instruments contribute to the melodic content and every instrument group combines with percussion at varying times throughout the piece to provide the rhythmic drive for the music. Both performers and audience members will enjoy this composition as part of your concert or contest program. (3:10)
The PerformancePlus+ series is an innovative addition to the ever-expanding MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. These engaging selections are presented with educational resources designed to enrich the rehearsal process and create outstanding performances. Including:
The PerformancePlus+ series is an innovative addition to the ever-expanding MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. These engaging selections are presented with educational resources designed to enrich the rehearsal process and create outstanding performances. Including:
- Assignment, recording, and assessment tools within MakeMusic Cloud
- Piece-specific exercises focused on skills and techniques
- Educational tips and suggestions to support learning
Available in print and digital formats.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, At the Edge of the Sea: Baritone B.C. 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:
Alfred Concert Band - PerformancePlus+
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0018878_BBC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Kirk Vogel
Kirk Vogel holds degrees in music education from Capital University (1980) and the University of Northern Colorado (1987). Throughout his career in Colorado schools, he taught band, orchestra, choir, and jazz at multiple institutions, most notably Heath Middle School in Greeley, where his ensembles performed at state conventions and regional conferences.
As a composer, Vogel has built a substantial catalog published by Alfred Music, Kjos Music Company, Grand Mesa Music, and Southern Music. His contest-winning pieces (Kokopelli, Three Waters Mountain, Escalante, and Perseids) have been performed by ensembles ranging from elementary bands to the Pittsburgh Symphony. He remains active as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician, and was inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Hall of Fame in 2020. Vogel is an ASCAP member and resides in Greeley with his wife, Susan.
Why we love this
Vogel captures the visual and kinetic energy of a coastal landscape without relying on programmatic clichés. The mixed meter and rhythmic drive ensure students engage with real musical challenges while remaining musically satisfying, making this a smart choice for both concert and contest programs where you want the audience to hear genuine craft.
What to expect
Restless and alive, with constant forward motion. The sea is never still here: birds dart on quick ascending and descending figures, rhythmic pulses shift beneath the surface, and percussion colors the activity throughout. It feels like standing on a beach watching wind and water at work.
Who it's for
Grade 2.5 bands with solid rhythmic foundation and growing musicianship. This score works well for groups ready to tackle mixed meters and independent melodic lines across multiple sections, and for directors seeking accessible repertoire that doesn't compromise musical substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the moving eighth-note figures to suggest bird motion rather than playing them mechanically; articulation and dynamics should create the sense of flight across the ensemble.
- Bring clarity to the meter changes by establishing a steady internal pulse before transitioning; students should feel the underlying beat continue even as the groupings shift.
- Balance the melodic contributions across all instrument families; this score distributes thematic material widely, so ensure no section gets buried under accompaniment figures.
- Use the PerformancePlus+ recording as a reference for tempo and ensemble blend, then work sections in isolation to build confidence before conducting the full band at performance tempo.
How to use it
Program this early in a concert to establish energy and momentum, or use it as a confident contest selection where the musical material and clear structure will impress judges without overreaching your ensemble's level. The 3:10 duration sits comfortably in most concert and festival schedules.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing mixed meters (shifting between time signatures within a piece)
- Articulation and phrasing control across moving eighth-note figures
- Balance and voice leading when melody shifts between instrument groups
- Rhythmic precision and ensemble communication during tempo-consistent metric changes