Champions Rising: Part 1 - Alto Clef
By Adrian B. Sims
Grade: 1.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1834_PART1_ACLEF
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Description
This dynamic work captures the rising champion spirit in all of us. Bold melodic lines and powerful percussion writing convey virtues of persistence, resilience, determination and excellence. After a great deal of melodic and harmonic development, the music comes to a thrilling conclusion. Guaranteed to have your band rising to new heights! 3-part fully adaptable with percussion and accompaniment.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Champions Rising: Part 1 - Alto Clef 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:
The ReImagine Initiative
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1834_PART1_ACLEF
Instrumentation:
3-Part Fully Adaptable with Percussion
More about this title
About the Composer: Adrian B. Sims
Adrian B. Sims (b. 2000) is a trombonist, conductor, and composer based in Seattle, Washington. His works have appeared at The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and earned recognition on the Bandworld Top 100 List, along with wins in the Maryland Music Educators Association Young Composers Project and the Make Music Young Composers Contest. He has conducted his own compositions in performances across Maryland schools and maintains an active performing career in orchestral, jazz, and concert band settings, including collaborations with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Currently pursuing dual degrees in Music Education and Composition at The University of Maryland, Sims studies composition with Dr. Robert Gibson and bass trombone with Matthew Guilford of the National Symphony Orchestra. His development as a composer reflects mentorship from world-renowned composer Brian Balmages and the sustained encouragement of his high school band directors Christopher Gnagey and Cindy Stevenson.
Why we love this
This work delivers immediate dramatic impact without overloading younger players. The bold melodic writing and thoughtful harmonic progression keep students engaged while the three-part flexibility means you can perform it with nearly any instrumentation combination you have available. Adrian Sims understands the energy that motivates young musicians, and this piece channels that into music that sounds and feels substantial.
What to expect
Energy and uplift without artificiality. The piece moves from contemplation through development toward triumph, creating an arc that feels earned rather than imposed. You hear bold statement, harmonic richness, and percussion power that conveys strength and determination throughout.
Who it's for
Band directors working with Grade 1.5 groups who want repertoire with genuine musical substance and flexible casting options. This piece works equally well for schools with full instrumentation and those working with smaller or mixed ensembles.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the bold melodic lines so they speak clearly above the accompaniment parts; even at this grade level, the part writing rewards careful attention to dynamic shaping and voice leading.
- Lean into the percussion writing as a structural and emotional anchor. The rhythmic foundation here drives the piece forward and should feel propulsive, not timid.
- Use the harmonic development passages (not the climactic sections) to build ensemble blend and intonation; these moments offer built-in rehearsal opportunities before the powerful conclusion arrives.
- Lock the rhythm section early in your rehearsal process. With flexible instrumentation, establishing a rock-solid foundation in the percussion and lower voices gives upper voices freedom to soar.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener or an emotional centerpiece. The combination of accessibility and musical substance makes it ideal for festival or contest settings where you want to showcase both your ensemble's musicality and the caliber of young composers emerging in your state or region.
Skills your students will build
- Executing dynamic contrast between sustained melodic passages and driving rhythmic sections
- Reading and performing in three adaptable parts with flexible instrumentation assignments
- Responding to harmonic development and understanding how musical phrases build and resolve
- Balancing ensemble blend across changing textures and instrumental combinations
- Interpreting character and narrative arc through rhythm, articulation, and phrasing