Curious Cobbler: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Michael Oare
Grade: 0.5-1
Item: 35-PK00534899
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Curious Cobbler - Conductor Score (Full Score) | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Flute | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Oboe | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Bb Clarinet | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Bb Bass Clarinet | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Eb Alto Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Bb Tenor Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Eb Baritone Saxophone | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Bb Trumpet | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - F Horn | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Trombone/Baritone B.C./Bassoon | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Baritone T.C. | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Tuba | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Percussion 1 | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Percussion 2 | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Mallet Percussion | $6.00 | |
| Curious Cobbler - Piano | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Imagine a slightly confused cobbler and his workshop of curious tools and gadgets. Michael Oare's descriptive and clever work for beginning bands features a tuneful melody and special effects in the percussion section.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00534899
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Oare
Michael Oare holds degrees in both music composition and music education from Old Dominion University and has spent his career bridging these two disciplines. Over 33 years as Director of Bands at Great Bridge Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia, he built a program that earned superior ratings in the state assessment for 32 of those years, including 30 consecutive years of straight superiors on grade 3 and 4 literature. His compositions for young ensembles have earned national recognition, with two works included in GIA Publications' "Teaching Music Through Performance" series.
Beyond his classroom, Oare maintains active roles as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and performer with the Virginia Wind Symphony. He was named Chesapeake Public Schools' Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2016 and has received the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence twice. His work reflects a deep understanding of what young musicians need: pieces that build fundamental skills while remaining genuinely engaging to play.
Why we love this
Oare writes for beginning bands with real affection for the grade 0.5-1 level, and it shows. The tuneful melody keeps young players invested while the special effects in percussion give everyone something fun to execute beyond basic note-reading. This kind of balance between accessibility and genuine musicality is exactly what helps young musicians develop serious engagement with their instruments.
What to expect
Whimsical and tactile, like watching someone surrounded by half-finished projects and curious contraptions. The tuneful core keeps things grounded while the percussion colors dance around the edges, creating a playful energy that beginners genuinely enjoy bringing to life.
Who it's for
Beginning band directors looking for repertoire that entertains without condescending to young players. Works equally well in rehearsal as a teachable piece and in performance as an audience favorite.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the percussion section rehearse their special effects independently first. Once they're confident with the gadget sounds, bring the full band together and watch how quickly the musical picture clicks into place.
- Keep the main melody singing forward even at slow tempos. Young brass players sometimes lose momentum when they're thinking about articulation, so conductor preparation and clear phrasing in rehearsal pay dividends.
- Balance the descriptive character against musical clarity. The cobbler's workshop is fun to imagine, but the notes and rhythms still need to lock together with precision.
How to use it
Slot this into a fall or winter concert where you want something accessible yet entertaining between weightier pieces. Its brief duration and Grade 0.5-1 level make it ideal for a full band premiere or an opener that helps an audience settle in while your musicians warm up musically.
Skills your students will build
- Playing a sustained, shaped melody line across phrase boundaries
- Executing rhythmic precision in a tuneful context (especially in sections with rests)
- Creating intentional articulation and tone color variety
- Coordinating with percussion effects without losing ensemble focus
- Responding to conductor gesture while managing independent musical lines