Creatures in the Attic: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Balmages crafts an approachable gateway into contemporary sound design without sacrificing musical substance. Young musicians get to play with aleatoric techniques and atmospheric effects while the narrative framework, read aloud before performance, gives the piece theatrical dimension that captivates audiences and makes rehearsals genuinely fun.

The piece opens with unsettling whispers and strange rustlings before gradually revealing creatures scurrying through an attic at night. There's a genuine spookiness balanced by lightness and humor, creating an imaginative soundscape that feels theatrical without becoming overly dark or demanding.

Beginning bands that are ready to move beyond straightforward march-based repertoire while remaining solidly within accessible territory. This score works beautifully for young ensembles whose players have developed basic technique but haven't yet tackled complex rhythmic or harmonic challenges.

• Have your student narrator practice timing with the opening measures so the poem lands as the mysterious sounds begin; the coordination between voice and ensemble creates the magical moment that hooks listeners immediately.
• Experiment with the aleatoric passages in rehearsal by assigning specific registers to create different creature textures; let students hear how their choices shape the overall effect rather than prescribing every detail.
• Encourage the percussion section to explore the full range of effects available in their parts; these imaginative sounds are what make the piece memorable for the players themselves.
• Consider the dynamic arc across the entire piece and how the creatures gradually emerge from the background; this story-driven approach helps younger musicians understand phrasing beyond traditional musical conventions.

Program this as a concert opener or early in the show when you want to immediately capture audience attention through narrative surprise. The accessible technical demands mean rehearsal time spent on phrasing, balance, and collaborative effects rather than notes, making it an excellent teaching tool midway through the season when fundamentals are solid.

• Creating timbral variety through aleatoric and graphic notation techniques
• Coordinating ensemble sound without traditional metric precision
• Responding to a conductor's gestures in less predictable passages
• Building sustained atmospheric effects using long tones and layered textures
• Connecting narrative storytelling to musical performance choices