Castle Bartizan: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$60.00 USD

Castle Bartizan: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Castle Bartizan: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51799
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Sarah Siegler

Grade: 1

Item: 00-51799

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Travel back in time to the Middle Ages with this intensely energetic work, Castle Bartizan, by Sarah Siegler. The "bartizan" is a turret of a castle, built along the defensive wall, containing the castle guard. The stonework could be quite ornate while the function was to protect the guard from invaders. The accented minor melody describes the stonework and the importance of the guard standing "at the ready" in the castle bartizan.

The lyrical, contrasting sections depict the beauty and timelessness of ancient castles. The percussion, utilizing low tom-tom and tambourine combined with modal harmonies, gives the piece a medieval flare that will keep your students engaged and excited about the power of making music together. (2:25)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Castle Bartizan: 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: Developing Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

ISBN10: 1-4706-7414-9

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-7414-4

UPC: 038081596310

SKU: 00-51799

More about this title

About the Composer: Sarah Siegler

Sarah Siegler brings twenty years of string orchestra directing experience from Connecticut and Wisconsin into her work as a composer and educator. Her background spans multiple instruments and ensembles—from trumpet in marching band to violin in orchestra to voice in choir—giving her a comprehensive understanding of how students learn and what engages them musically.

Now owner of Grand Mesa Strings, Siegler channels her passion into educational music publishing. Her compositions prioritize teaching meaningful skills while remaining genuinely rewarding to perform, a philosophy grounded in her direct experience leading student musicians across different regions and genres.

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Why we love this

Siegler has written a Grade 1 piece that respects young musicians' intelligence without oversimplifying the musical journey. The programmatic narrative unfolds through genuine compositional choices—modal harmonies, contrasting lyrical sections, and that distinctive medieval percussion palette—rather than relying on obvious descriptive gestures. Your students will feel the story of the bartizan in their playing, not just hear about it.

What to expect

Medieval battlements come alive through sound. The accented minor melody cuts sharply, evoking the ornate stonework and watchful presence of castle guards, while the lyrical passages offer moments of timeless beauty and reflection. Modal harmonies and medieval percussion textures transport listeners to another era without ever feeling costume-y or artificial.

Who it's for

Beginning band students who are ready for genuine musical storytelling and more sophisticated harmonic language than typical Grade 1 fare. Teachers seeking a programmatic concert piece that challenges young musicians without requiring advanced technical skills.

How to get the most out of it

Emphasize the precision of the accented minor melody; those stabs define the guard's vigilance. Work for clean attacks and consistent dynamics so the 'at the ready' character lands clearly.
Balance the low tom-tom and tambourine carefully in the medieval flare sections. The percussion textures should sit under the melody, not overpower it, to maintain the modal color Siegler creates.
Shape the lyrical contrasting sections with longer phrase arcs. Even at Grade 1, students can sustain a beautiful line if you mark the high points and guide them through the melodic contour.
Use the two-minute-twenty-five-second duration to your advantage: the piece moves briskly enough to hold focus, so maintain steady tempo and energy throughout.

How to use it

Program this as an excellent concert opener or a centerpiece for a thematic program exploring medieval history, architectural design, or musical storytelling. Its two-and-a-half-minute length and Grade 1 accessibility make it ideal for combining with other short works in a developing band concert, or as a solo feature that showcases what young musicians can accomplish.