Contraption: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

McBrien's concept of building this piece like an inventor assembles a machine gives the score real architectural interest at a Grade 2.5 level. The three main component sections plus interlude structure gives conductors a clear framework while keeping players engaged through contrasting musical ideas that feel both cohesive and imaginative.

Imagine watching a massive, mysterious machine come to life: gears turning, pistons pumping, systems activating. The piece unfolds with mechanical precision yet retains a sense of wonder and discovery, as if the audience is witnessing something strange and powerful for the first time.

This is ideal for middle school and early high school concert bands seeking approachable repertoire with genuine compositional substance. The Grade 2.5 difficulty makes it accessible without talking down to students, and the imaginative tone poem concept appeals to younger musicians who respond well to program music and visual concepts.

• Establish clear character distinctions between each of the three main sections so the band understands how the 'contraption' evolves and transforms throughout the piece.
• Balance the interlude thoughtfully so it breathes as a genuine transition rather than a simple pause between sections.
• Use the 3:40 runtime as a reference point for pacing; resist the urge to rush the mechanical elements, which gain impact from clarity and precision rather than speed.

Program this as a standalone concert opener or centerpiece that gives audiences something visually engaging to think about. Its moderate length and straightforward difficulty make it a strong anchor for a diverse concert that might otherwise rely too heavily on standard march and hymn arrangements.

• Maintaining rhythmic precision within a programmatic context
• Interpreting contrasting sections and structural intent
• Balance and blend across changing textures and instrumental combinations
• Reading a medium-complexity full score (for conductors)