Champions of the Sky: Mallets
By Rossano Galante
Grade: 5
Item: 00-PC-0019581_M1
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Description
Since the dawn of humanity, we have been fascinated with fantasies of flight. These winged creatures that soar majestically against the wind are a gorgeous tapestry in our skies. Champions of the Sky, by Rossano Galante, captures the grandeur and beauty that these birds possess. Soaring horn lines, majestic fanfares, and emotional melodies will transport musicians and audiences to a world we can only dream of. (6:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Champions of the Sky: Mallets 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:
Alfred Concert Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0019581_M1
More about this title
About the Composer: Rossano Galante
Rossano Galante grew up in Buffalo, New York, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Trumpet Performance from SUNY Buffalo in 1992. That same year, he was selected as one of nineteen applicants worldwide to enter the University of Southern California's Film Scoring Program, where he studied under the late Jerry Goldsmith, Academy Award winner for The Omen.
Galante relocated to California in 1999 to establish himself as a composer and film orchestrator. Over his career, he has served as orchestrator on more than eighty studio films, collaborating with two-time Oscar-nominated composer Marco Beltrami and other leading film composers including Christophe Beck, Brian Tyler, and Christopher Lennertz. His credits span major studio releases from the Avengers franchise to A Quiet Place, The Super Mario Brothers Movie, and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning. Beyond film, Galante is an active concert music composer with over 68 published works for band and orchestra, commissioned by ensembles worldwide and published through Alfred, Schirmer, Hafabra, C.L. Barnhouse, and other leading music publishers.
Why we love this
Galante's film scoring background shines through in the orchestrational clarity and cinematic sweep of this piece. The writing balances accessibility at Grade 5 with genuine sophistication in harmony and form, making it equally rewarding for advancing bands and festivals where you need both technical substance and audience appeal.
What to expect
Majestic and soaring, the piece captures the poetry of flight through open, singing melodic lines and brass fanfares that evoke both grandeur and freedom. Emotional depth underscores the visual imagery, allowing the band to experience the dual sensation of weightlessness and power that comes from watching birds command the sky.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 5 level seeking repertoire that combines technical advancement with proven festival success. Directors will find a work that challenges developing musicians across all sections while remaining accessible enough for strong high school bands to program with confidence.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the soaring horn lines by establishing them as the primary melodic voice; supporting voices should recede slightly even when they carry countermelody to let the majesty cut through.
- Shape the fanfare sections with clear dynamic architecture from entrance to climax; resist the temptation to jump to full volume immediately and instead build cumulative power.
- Pay attention to the programmatic arc: treat the piece as a journey of ascent and flight rather than a collection of separate sections, allowing smooth transitions and momentum.
How to use it
Ideal as a contest or festival opener that establishes momentum and technical command early in your concert, or as a stand-alone feature that anchors a thematic program on nature, flight, or human aspiration. The six-minute duration fits concert pacing without requiring substantial cuts.
Skills your students will build
- Executing sustained, lyrical phrasing in upper winds across varied dynamic ranges
- Balancing complex meter changes while maintaining rhythmic precision
- Blending multiple melodic lines to create unified musical texture
- Interpreting programmatic content and translating imagery into interpretive choices
- Building ensemble balance between solo voices and supporting harmonic foundation