Cruisin': Score
By William Owens
Grade: 2
Item: 98-DB1353S
$6.00
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Description
Come and take a carefree, fast-paced musical ride in this fun work that combines elements of rock and ragtime. Drum set is optional and is orchestrated for concert percussion for increased performance flexibility. Melodic material is passed throughout the ensemble as the work comes to a driving conclusion. It's time to roll down the windows and have a good time!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1353S
More about this title
About the Composer: William Owens
William Owens brings three decades of classroom experience to his compositional work, having taught band in Texas through 2014 before focusing full-time on writing. A VanderCook College of Music graduate, he has created over 300 pieces for young ensembles since 1993, establishing himself as a practical voice in the field with music that appears on state required lists across the country. His work has earned recognition from the American Bandmasters Association, ASCAP membership, and numerous commissions from college and professional organizations.
Owens' approach to young band writing prioritizes both musicality and teachability. His compositions appear in educational texts as exemplars of good pedagogy, and many have become repertoire staples in middle and high school programs nationwide. Beyond music, he is deeply engaged with American history and serves as a Distinguished Alumnus of his conservatory.
Why we love this
Owens crafts novelty pieces that actually work in performance without sacrificing musicality. The rock-and-ragtime fusion gives your band genuine stylistic variety without requiring specialized instrumentation, and the optional drum set means you're not locked into a particular lineup. Melodic material cycling through the ensemble keeps everyone engaged and prevents the typical "feature the trumpets" fatigue that comes with lighter works.
What to expect
Carefree and propulsive, like a road trip with the windows down and the radio turned up. The piece balances comedic lightness with genuine forward momentum, never winking at the audience but delivering the promised good time through rhythmic drive and passing melodic material that keeps the ear moving.
Who it's for
Grade 2 bands ready for something beyond traditional march-based fare but not yet tackling advanced harmonic language. This works equally well as a concert opener for groups that need an accessible fun piece or as a springboard for teaching rock and ragtime vocabulary to younger musicians.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the drum set energy anchor the feel, but don't let it rush the ensemble; keep the rock pulse steady and intentional rather than letting enthusiasm override the tempo.
- Balance the ragtime elements by making sure stride patterns and syncopations land cleanly without muddying the forward motion.
- As melodies pass between sections, highlight the handoff points with slight articulation clarity so the audience follows the conversation.
- The "driving conclusion" needs the full ensemble locked in; rehearse the final passage as a single rhythmic unit to create the rollout effect.
How to use it
Open a spring or fall concert with this to signal to the audience that your band enjoys what it does. It pairs well on a program with one serious work and one other lighter selection, creating a three-act arc that shows range without asking your ensemble to shift musical gears too drastically.
Skills your students will build
- Rock and ragtime rhythmic idioms in a concert setting
- Passing melodic material between sections with clarity
- Controlled ensemble energy and forward momentum at faster tempos
- Understanding optional instrumentation and flexibility in scoring