Breakthrough: B-flat Tenor Saxophone
By Tyler S. Grant
Grade: 2
Item: 98-PC-TGB019_TX1
$4.50
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Description
A blistering tempo with crisp percussion writing, lots of harmonic tension, and creative tone colors including muted brass are the backbone of this imaginative and fiery original work. Well scored for younger developing bands, Breakthrough by Tyler S. Grant will develop your musicians' technique and ensemble precision. A fun yet attainable challenge. Recorded by the Atlanta Wind Symphony. (3:45)
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Additional Details
Series:
Tyler S. Grant Music Works
Publisher:
Tyler S. Grant Music Works, LLC.
SKU:
98-PC-TGB019_TX1
More about this title
About the Composer: Tyler S. Grant
Tyler S. Grant has built a reputation as a prolific composer and arranger whose works appear regularly on honor ensemble programs and curated repertoire lists across North America. His compositions have won recognition in national competitions, including a 2014 win in the Dallas Wind Symphony's "Call for Fanfares" Competition, and his music is heard at major venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Since establishing his practice in 2010, he has consistently produced new works for bands and orchestras while accepting commissions that reflect the needs of developing ensembles.
Beyond composing, Grant serves as an active clinician, working with over 100 school instrumental programs across more than 15 states. He has conducted at The Midwest Clinic and all-state bands in multiple states, and contributed to Alfred Music's Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development series. His mentor Brian Balmages played a formative role in shaping his compositional voice. Grant holds a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education from the University of Alabama, where he studied conducting with Professor Randall Coleman.
Why we love this
Grant writes with deep understanding of what Grade 2 bands can actually do. The harmonic language here is sophisticated enough to engage your musicians without overwhelming them, while the percussion writing snaps with genuine personality. You get a piece that sounds professional and deliberate, not simplified, which makes rehearsals rewarding for everyone in the room.
What to expect
Breakthrough launches with urgent energy and harmonic restlessness. The creative tone colors and muted brass create an atmosphere of controlled intensity, where precise ensemble work feels like the point rather than a side effect. This is music that demands focus and rewards it with genuine excitement.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands with solid fundamentals who are ready to tackle muted brass writing and rhythmic precision without sacrificing musicality. Directors seeking contest or festival material that challenges students technically while remaining accessible will find a strong fit here.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the muted brass carefully; these colors will disappear if the underlying chords don't have definition. Coach your brass section to voice the harmonies cleanly before adding the mute.
- Attack the crisp percussion writing with precision from day one. Clean articulation in the rhythm section will lock the entire ensemble's sense of time and make the faster passages land with impact.
- Let the tempo breathe slightly at structural transitions. Grant's harmonic tension creates natural resting points; honor those moments rather than pushing relentlessly forward.
- Use the recorded performance by the Atlanta Wind Symphony as a reference for balance and character, but treat your own interpretation as valid. Your band's sound and technical strengths will reshape this work in your hands.
How to use it
Program this as a contest or festival selection where you want to showcase your band's rhythmic control and color awareness. It also works well as a festival or concert opener, catching audiences immediately with its blistering pace and distinctive orchestration without requiring an extended build.
Skills your students will build
- Precision with muted brass articulation and tone control
- Reading complex harmonic progressions and maintaining part independence
- Ensemble blend at brisk tempos with exposed rhythm section passages
- Dynamic shaping and articulation in crisp, syncopated rhythmic figures