Barnburner: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Barnburner delivers immediate gratification without sacrificing musicianship. The Grade 2 scoring doesn't dilute the energy; instead, Story uses clear textures, punchy rhythmic figures, and strategic dynamic contrast to create a piece that sounds far more sophisticated than its accessibility level suggests. Your students will feel the professional impact they're making.

Furious and focused. The piece crackles with punctuated articulation and sharp dynamic shifts that feel controlled and deliberate rather than chaotic. There's a propulsive quality throughout that makes 2:30 feel like a perfectly timed burst of controlled power.

Conductors leading Grade 2 concert bands who want an opener or closer with genuine concert-hall impact. This works equally well for students ready to play with stylistic awareness and for groups building confidence in their ability to execute a tight, energetic reading.

• Shape each articulated phrase as a complete gesture rather than attacking individual notes. The punctuation serves the forward momentum, not the other way around.
• Balance the dynamics scrupulously across the band. Grade 2 scorings often mask uneven doublings; make sure softer passages read clearly when the full section isn't playing.
• Lock the tempo precisely. This piece's power comes from rhythmic drive, so establish a steady pulse early and hold it through the entire 2:30.

Open a concert with Barnburner to establish energy and grab immediate attention from your audience. Alternatively, close a program with it to send the crowd out exhilarated. The piece works well alongside lyrical or slower selections, providing dramatic contrast and reminding listeners of your band's range.

• Precision articulation in rapid punctuated passages
• Dynamic control across full band textures
• Maintaining steady tempo through rhythmically driven material
• Balancing independent section lines while preserving ensemble cohesion