Bone-a-fied: E-flat Baritone Saxophone
By Robert Sheldon
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PC-0019753_BTX
$3.00
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Description
Bone-a-fied, by Robert Sheldon, is a delightfully quirky novelty that features jazz and rock harmonies, solos for three of your star players, and (of course) a trombone part that is really fun to play. The resulting piece is a fusion of Calypso, soul, and rhythm & blues that is sure to get an enthusiastic response.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Bone-a-fied: E-flat Baritone Saxophone 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:
Sound Innovations Series for Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0019753_BTX
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon stands among the most frequently programmed composers for wind band, with works performed internationally and featured regularly on contest and festival schedules. Honored by the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP, he brings a distinctive voice that appeals equally to students and audiences. He serves as lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band and maintains an active schedule as guest conductor for all-state ensembles, clinician, and commissioned composer.
Sheldon's work has reached concert halls including Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Boston's Symphony Hall, and the Kennedy Center. His conducting and teaching have taken him across North America and internationally to Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, and China. VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2020, recognizing his lasting impact on music education and composition.
Why we love this
Bone-a-fied delivers genuine fun without sacrificing musicality. Sheldon writes with an ear for what captures student enthusiasm (those trombone solos are unquestionably the highlight), while the fusion of Calypso, soul, and rhythm & blues elements gives students genuine stylistic variety to explore at a Grade 2 level that doesn't feel patronizing.
What to expect
Bone-a-fied bounces with infectious energy. The Calypso and soul foundations create a warm, approachable groove, while jazz harmonies add sophistication and rock elements inject vitality. Three soloists get their moment center stage, making the piece feel like a celebration of individual voices within the ensemble.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands seeking a contest or festival piece that genuinely excites students. The writing sits comfortably in the early-intermediate range while offering recognizable pop and soul idioms that resonate with developing musicians. Directors programming lighter concert fare will find this accessible without being simplistic.
How to get the most out of it
- Spotlight your three soloists early in rehearsal to build their confidence. These parts are written to shine, and giving them ownership creates momentum throughout the section.
- Lock the rhythm section's foundation first. The soul and R&B harmonies depend on a steady, grounded pulse from percussion and low reeds before adding the melodic layers.
- Lean into the Calypso feel with a relaxed, offbeat interpretation rather than a rigid strict tempo. Let the band breathe a little and feel the groove.
- Use dynamics to shape the jazz and rock colors. Sheldon writes with dynamic contrast built in; honor those markings to separate the stylistic sections and keep energy flowing.
How to use it
Program this as a lighter concert selection that audiences will immediately enjoy and students will remember. It pairs well alongside a march or fanfare for opening contrast, or bookend a more serious work with it as a closer to send the audience home smiling. The novelty appeal makes it ideal for festival competitions where judges reward musical literacy without demanding heavy technical demands.
Skills your students will build
- Recognizing and performing jazz harmonies and swing rhythms
- Style interpretation across Calypso, soul, and rock idioms
- Solo confidence and balancing individual voice with ensemble texture
- Rhythm reading with syncopation and offbeat emphasis
- Dynamic control and shape across contrasting sections