Cruisin'in Five: Concert Band, Ensemble Works

Sharp has written a piece that teaches 5/4 meter through enjoyment rather than struggle. The melodic material sticks with students immediately, so their focus stays on the rhythmic foundation rather than fighting unfamiliar harmonic terrain. Grade 2 bands often dread meter changes; this one will leave them wanting more.

Steady, groove-oriented, and surprisingly effortless. The five-beat meter propels gently forward like a smooth road with an extra curve; the melody carries easily over the rhythmic pattern, making the unusual time signature feel natural rather than experimental.

Grade 2 concert bands ready to explore compound or asymmetrical meters in a low-stress setting. Directors seeking an accessible entry point to 5/4 will find students responding well to both the musical content and the pedagogical clarity.

• Lock the rhythm section into the five-beat pulse before adding harmonic layers. A solid foundation in percussion and low brass makes the groove feel relaxed rather than labored.
• Resist the urge to rush. The 'cruising' character relies on space and ease; younger players tend to tighten up when learning new meters, so encourage a laid-back approach in rehearsal.
• Highlight the melodious thematic material in the upper voices so the five-beat meter becomes a supporting frame rather than the main event for listeners.

Program this early in the concert season as a teaching moment disguised as an engaging performance piece. It works well sandwiched between familiar repertoire to demonstrate growth in the band's rhythmic literacy without overwhelming the audience.

• Reading and performing in 5/4 meter
• Maintaining pulse through rhythmic patterns that don't align with 4/4 expectations
• Playing melodically and rhythmically balanced material simultaneously
• Understanding meter as a structural organizing principle, not an obstacle