Bushido: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$50.00 USD

Bushido: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Bushido: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51936
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock

(The Warrior Code)

By William Owens

Level:.5

Item: 00-51936

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Honor the legacy of the warrior class Samurai with Bushido, a powerful work by William Owens for first-year bands! Bold and energetic from beginning to end, the music embodies the virtuous code by which the Samurai warrior lived. Justice, courage, mercy, honor, loyalty, character---this work portrays it all and more! (1:30)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Bushido: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: MakeMusic First Performance Band

Publisher: MakeMusic Publications

ISBN10: 1-4706-7350-9

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-7350-5

UPC: 038081595719

SKU: 00-51936

More about this title

About the Composer: William Owens

William Owens has spent three decades composing and directing in the concert band world, establishing himself as a trusted voice for young ensembles. A 1985 graduate of VanderCook College of Music, he worked as a band director in Texas for 30 years while maintaining an active compositional practice that now exceeds 300 published titles across concert band, string orchestra, and small ensemble formats. His work has been recognized with commissions from major organizations including the American Bandmasters Association and Phi Beta Mu International, and his scores regularly appear on state music lists and in educational curricula.

Owens brings a clinician's eye to his writing: every gesture serves the music, every part is playable, and his scoring reveals genuine understanding of what first-year musicians can achieve. He holds membership in ASCAP and the Texas Music Educators Association, and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by VanderCook. Now based in Fort Worth, Texas, he continues to shape the young band repertoire through compositions that balance artistic integrity with pedagogical insight.

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Why we love this

Owens strips away unnecessary complexity while delivering genuine musical substance. A first-year band needs material that sounds bold and mature without exceeding their technical grasp, and Bushido achieves both through intelligent part writing and thematic clarity. The samurai concept gives students something meaningful to play toward rather than simply executing note sequences.

What to expect

Bushido moves with purposeful drive and clarity. The samurai code manifests musically through bold gestures, unified rhythmic momentum, and thematic material that feels dignified rather than simplified. Young players feel the weight of the music they are creating, even as they navigate passages comfortably within their range.

Who it's for

Bushido is designed for first-year concert bands with mixed instrumentation and still-developing ensemble cohesion. Directors searching for repertoire that honors student ability while offering a rewarding musical experience will find a natural fit here. The piece works equally well as a festival selection or concert feature.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening with controlled energy. The boldness comes from precision and deliberate phrasing, not from playing loud throughout. Let younger musicians feel the difference between confident and frantic.
Balance the melodic voices across the band. With limited instrumentation at this level, every line matters; make sure thematic material sings even when played by less experienced players.
Use the recorded accompaniment (if available) to establish tempo and style before sectional rehearsals. First-year musicians benefit from hearing the complete work in context.
Invest rehearsal time in clean articulation and rhythmic unity. The concert band sound depends on synchronized attacks, especially during the energetic passages that define this work.

How to use it

Open a concert with Bushido to establish artistic intent and capture audience attention immediately. The 1:30 duration makes it an ideal pairing with longer works later in the program, or use it as a standalone feature when programming a thematic concert around world cultures or character studies. Its energetic nature also makes it a natural choice for festival competition.