Chasing Sunshine: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

This piece strikes a rare balance: it's accessible enough for young ensembles yet written with genuine musical craft. Bubbett captures a real emotional arc from winter's dormancy to spring's arrival, giving students a meaningful story to convey rather than just notes on a page. The Grade 1.5 level makes it perfect for festivals and contests without demanding virtuosity.

Sunlight breaking through bare branches. The piece opens with the quiet anticipation of early morning, gradually warming as the day unfolds. Energy builds naturally, reflecting the awakening of spring, while the harmonic language remains clear and grounded, never overreaching.

Beginning concert bands and developing ensembles (Grade 1.5) looking for repertoire that combines musical substance with accessibility. Directors preparing students for festival competition or concert performance will find this particularly valuable; it challenges intonation and blend without requiring advanced technique.

• Shape the opening lines with gentle direction; the piece draws its power from clarity of phrasing, not dynamics. Let the melody breathe.
• Balance upper and lower voices carefully so inner parts remain audible. This texture is clean and transparent, not dense.
• Use tempo stability to establish the piece's forward motion. The buoyancy Bubbett describes depends on consistent pulse.
• Encourage ensemble awareness of the larger arc. Mark rehearsal points where the musical mood shifts, and remind students what season or feeling each section represents.

Pair this as an opening or contrasting middle section in a spring concert, or use it to anchor a festival entry. The seasonal inspiration works well alongside other descriptive pieces, and its modest demands make it an excellent confidence builder before tackling more complex repertoire.

• Sustaining long tones with steady intonation in the opening section
• Listening to inner voices and balancing transparent textures
• Maintaining ensemble unity and pulse through tempo changes
• Shaping lyrical lines with direction and purpose
• Understanding program music and connecting musical narrative to performance choice