Champions Rising: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Sims captures the aspirational energy of his generation in this work, writing with genuine understanding of what young ensembles can accomplish. The Grade 1.5 difficulty paired with the ambitious thematic development and polished orchestration means your students will feel like they're performing something substantial, not something simple.

The music radiates forward momentum. Bold lines sweep upward, rhythmic vitality drives the middle sections, and the accumulating layers build toward a payoff that feels earned rather than accidental. There's optimism here without sentimentality.

Beginning to early-intermediate concert bands that are ready to tackle thematic development and need contest or festival material with genuine substance. Directors looking for works that inspire students without talking down to them will find real value here.

• Build the crescendo through the melodic and harmonic development section deliberately; resist the urge to arrive at full volume before the final stretch, or the thrilling conclusion loses its impact.
• Balance the bold percussion writing so it reinforces rather than overwhelms the melodic lines, especially if your band skews younger in instrumentation.
• Establish a clear character distinction between the initial statement of the rising champion theme and its development; this helps students understand the narrative arc.

This works beautifully as a festival or contest entry for bands seeking material that combines accessibility with ambitious writing. You could also program it as the closing work of a concert featuring other Grade 1.5 selections, letting it anchor the program and send the audience out energized.

• Sustaining long melodic phrases with consistent tone and direction
• Dynamic control across a wide range (pp to ff)
• Ensemble balance when multiple independent melodic lines are active
• Responding to and executing harmonic development and modulation
• Precision in percussion parts that support rather than dominate