Chase the Shouting Wind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$78.00 USD

Chase the Shouting Wind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Chase the Shouting Wind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-41965
Price: 78.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Vince Gassi

Grade: 4 (Medium Difficult)

Item: 00-41965

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Inspired by the poem, "High Flight," by American WWII pilot, John Gillespie Magee, Jr., this energetic work calls to mind the thrill and freedom of flight. Opening with rhythmic energy in the winds and rich harmonic statements in the brass, the mood gives way to a sensitive lyrical section. A dynamic development of the opening statement leads, ultimately, to a powerful and climactic ending. An excellent contest piece, this selection will enhance any program. (3:40) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

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Series: Alfred Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 276

ISBN10: 1-4706-6472-0

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-6472-5

UPC: 038081471327

SKU: 00-41965

More about this title

About the Composer: Vince Gassi

Vince Gassi has been composing for Alfred Music since 2006 and has established himself as one of the most prolific voices in contemporary band music, with more than 100 published works to his name. His compositions balance genuine musical substance with accessibility, earning him consistent programming across festival circuits and concert stages in North America, Europe, and Japan. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario and studied composition and arranging at the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles before completing his Ph.D. at York University in Toronto.

With 25 years of experience teaching instrumental music at the K-12 level, Gassi brings a deep understanding of what works in rehearsal and what resonates with young musicians. He is frequently invited as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician throughout the United States and Canada. His seminars on creative engagement and digital workflows for music directors reflect his commitment to helping educators develop both their students and their programs. His works are regular fixtures at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago and have been recorded internationally.

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Why we love this

This piece tackles a compelling literary source and realizes it through a clear compositional arc that keeps both players and audiences engaged. The balance between accessible writing and genuine musical sophistication makes it work equally well as a concert closer or a contest selection, and Gassi's experience with young ensembles shows in orchestration choices that sit comfortably across all sections without sacrificing depth.

What to expect

The opening crackles with propulsive rhythmic energy and brass authority, evoking the rush of flight. The middle section opens into lyrical intimacy, grounded and reflective, before the momentum builds again toward a powerful climax that feels earned and exhilarating.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the Grade 4 level looking for a substantive work that delivers both musically and dramatically. Ensembles preparing for festival or contest performance will find a piece that sits solidly in the medium-difficult range without requiring virtuosic soloists. Directors seeking repertoire with programmatic coherence and a strong closing will appreciate the structural clarity here.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening rhythmic gesture as a unified statement across the wind section; clarity and ensemble precision here establish the piece's character immediately.
Find the emotional center during the lyrical section by allowing the inner voices (alto sax, horn, alto clarinet) room to sing; they carry harmonic color that often gets buried.
Build the dynamic development gradually and resist the urge to blast through the climax; let the final push feel inevitable rather than forced.
Use the 3:40 duration as a guide, but prioritize musical phrasing over the clock; this piece rewards conductor and ensemble communication in shaping longer lines.

How to use it

Program this as a concert finale where you want to send the audience out energized, or lead with it at the top of a festival performance to establish confidence in your ensemble's musicianship. It pairs naturally with quieter or more introspective works earlier in the program, creating strong contrast and arc across the full set.

Skills your students will build

Rhythmic precision and ensemble synchronization in opening sections
Sustained phrasing and balance between melody and accompaniment in lyrical passages
Dynamic control across a full range of volumes and instrumental combinations
Programmatic interpretation and understanding how musical narrative supports extramusical ideas