Barricade: Flex Concert Band Score & Parts

Meeboer gives every section something genuinely interesting to play, including those lowest voices that often get stuck with whole notes. The flexible instrumentation means you can build this into your programming regardless of who shows up on concert night, and the energy is infectious enough that even your most cautious beginners leave the stage feeling like they've accomplished something real.

Propulsive and unapologetic, with the kind of rhythmic momentum that grabs attention immediately. The arrangement buzzes with activity across all sections; there's always something happening, always a reason for every player to stay focused and engaged.

Beginning concert band students ready to move beyond chorale-style arrangements into a piece with genuine ensemble personality. This works well for groups performing their first fall or winter concert, or for bands building confidence before tackling more complex literature.

• Commit to the 'With Aggression' marking from measure one. This isn't timid music; students should feel permission to lean into the driving rhythms and let the percussion propel the ensemble forward.
• Balance the colorful percussion writing so it enhances rather than overwhelms the melodic lines. The percussion's job is to fuel the energy, not take over it.
• Lock the rhythm section (low brass and timpani) together early in rehearsal. Once that foundation is solid, the rest of the band will fall into place much faster.
• Highlight the moments when melody passes to typically accompanying voices. Students who rarely get the tune will be more engaged, and audiences will hear the fullness of the orchestration.

Program this early in a concert when you want to capture the audience's energy and set a dynamic tone for the evening. It also works well as a closer if you want to send the audience out on a high note. The flex instrumentation makes it reliable repertoire to return to across multiple years without worrying about available instrumentation.

• Ensemble blend and balance across flexible instrumentation
• Rhythmic precision in fast-moving, syncopated passages
• Dynamic control (playing with aggression without sacrificing clarity)
• Sustaining focus and energy throughout a high-tempo piece
• Reading and playing melodic lines in non-traditional voice assignments