Broken Pieces: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Delicate and introspective in its opening sections, with the unconventional toy block percussion creating a vulnerable, almost childlike quality that contrasts beautifully with lush harmonic writing. The work builds toward an energetic, celebratory finale that feels earned rather than tacked on, leaving audiences moved by its journey from brokenness to wholeness.

Grade 3 concert bands ready to program a contemporary work with genuine heart and accessible technical demands. This score rewards bands interested in repertoire that explores emotional depth without requiring advanced virtuosity.

• Balance the toy block percussion carefully during early rehearsals; these sounds need to cut through without overwhelming the ensemble, so mic placement and dynamic control deserve as much attention as you'd give a vibraphone solo.
• Shape the gorgeous melodies with long-line phrasing even when harmonic movement is complex; resist the urge to chop phrases at chord changes.
• Mark the transition to the up-tempo celebration clearly in parts so the ensemble catches the stylistic shift and energy lift without losing precision.
• Establish consistent mallet sounds and mallets for the toy blocks across all rehearsals so the tone remains recognizable and intentional.

This piece opens strong doors for contemporary repertoire programming and works especially well as a centerpiece for a concert exploring resilience or community themes. Pair it with contrasting older works to frame Sciaino's accessibility and originality in relief, or program it as a closer that sends the audience out on an uplifting note.

• Reading and executing complex harmonic structures at Grade 3 level
• Balance and blend with non-traditional percussion scoring
• Phrasing and line singing across dissonant harmony
• Quick stylistic pivot from lyrical to up-tempo celebration
• Ensemble listening and dynamic control in texture-focused writing