Big Raven: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Big Raven: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-31690S
Price: 6.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Vince Gassi

Grade: 1.5 (Easy)

Item: 00-31690S

$6.00

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Big Raven takes its inspiration from a painting by Canadian artist, Emily Carr. It was commissioned for the official opening of Emily Carr Public School in Oakville, Canada. Haunting forest sounds set the mood for a moving and reflective work.

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Series: Challenger Band Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081350899

SKU: 00-31690S

More about this title

About the Composer: Vince Gassi

Vince Gassi has built a prolific career as a composer, conductor, and educator, with over 100 published works spanning multiple ensembles and levels. His approach balances accessibility with musical substance, earning him recognition on international concert and festival programs. Gassi earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario and completed graduate studies in composition and arranging at the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles before earning his Ph.D. from York University in Toronto.

For more than two decades, Gassi has taught instrumental music at elementary and secondary levels while maintaining an active schedule as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician throughout North America. His workshops on creative engagement and digital workflows for music directors reflect his commitment to practical, innovative approaches to music education. His commissions and arrangements have been performed and recorded across North America, Europe, and Japan, with frequent performances at prestigious venues including the Midwest Clinic.

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Why we love this

Gassi captures something genuinely atmospheric here, drawing inspiration from Emily Carr's painting to create a piece that sounds far more sophisticated than its Grade 1.5 designation suggests. The opening establishes reflective, forest-like colors that draw students in immediately, making this an excellent choice for teaching young musicians how texture and tone color can carry emotional weight without relying on technical complexity.

What to expect

Quiet and introspective, with whispers of landscape and space. The piece inhabits a hushed world of forest sounds and contemplation, moving listeners through a reflective journey rather than a display of virtuosity.

Who it's for

Young concert bands at Grade 1.5 level who are ready to explore expressive, thematic writing. This work suits both performance and contest settings, offering students a meaningful piece that rewards careful attention to blend, dynamics, and phrasing without demanding advanced technical skills.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the haunting forest atmosphere from the first measure by asking players to listen to one another rather than rush through the opening. The sustained tones and sparse scoring depend on ensemble balance and breath control.
Shape the phrases as if they are sustained forest sounds: let them swell and fade naturally rather than play at a constant dynamic. This teaches nuance in phrasing at an accessible level.
Keep the tempo reflective and unhurried. Resist the impulse to accelerate, as the contemplative mood requires space and deliberation from the ensemble.

How to use it

Program this as an opening number for a concert to set a thoughtful, artistic tone, or pair it with contrasting energetic works to highlight its unique character. Its modest eight-page length and accessible level make it suitable for early-season programming while students are still building confidence.

Skills your students will build

Sustaining tone with consistent air support
Dynamic shaping and phrasing in a sparse texture
Listening for balance and blend across the ensemble
Interpreting program music and translating visual imagery into musical expression