Curtain Up! (Complete Concert Starter Series Vol. 1): Opt. Timpani
Complete Concert Starter Series Vol. 1
By William Owens, Timothy Loest, Brian Balmages
Level:.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1495_OTMP
$7.00
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Description
For directors on a budget, we are pleased to offer this exciting collection of four pieces at one low price. Designed to work well as a full concert program, these pieces represent a variety of styles and composers for a well-balanced program! Titles include: Synergy March (William Owens), Court of the Noble Trumpeteers (Timothy Loest), Midnight Mission (Brian Balmages), and Samba La Bamba (William Owens).
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Starter Series
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1495_OTMP
More about this title
About the Composer: William Owens
William Owens has composed over 300 works for young ensembles since 1993, establishing himself as a trusted voice in the field through his practical, accessible approach to band writing. A 1985 graduate of VanderCook College of Music, he brings three decades of classroom experience to his compositions; after 30 years directing bands in Texas, he continues to shape repertoire that appears on state required lists and in educational texts across North America.
Owens holds membership in ASCAP, the Texas Music Educators Association, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. His works have been commissioned by South Plains College, the American Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu, and he received the Texas Bandmasters Association's Meritorious Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to music education.
Why we love this
This collection solves the real logistics of opening a concert season: four contrasting pieces, three experienced composers, and full parts at a price that doesn't strain the budget. The variety (march, fanfare-style piece, mission adventure, Latin rhythm) lets you program something engaging without piecemeal purchasing, and each work stands on its own musically while fitting together as a cohesive evening.
What to expect
You get the energy of a processional march, the ceremonial pomp of trumpets and fanfares, the dramatic tension of a mission narrative, and the infectious drive of Latin rhythm, all within the same concert. These pieces invite engagement without overwhelming players still building their fundamentals.
Who it's for
Beginning and early intermediate concert bands looking for an affordable, complete concert program that balances technical accessibility with stylistic variety. This collection works especially well for younger ensembles building confidence with repertoire that remains musically satisfying for both players and audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Build the march style cleanly in Synergy March before adding articulation complexity; lock the rhythmic foundation in the lower voices first, then layer in upper voice detail.
- Court of the Noble Trumpeteers thrives on crisp articulation and confident brass tone; make sure your trumpet section understands the fanfare character and shapes phrases with purpose.
- Midnight Mission benefits from controlled tension in the ensemble; keep dynamics responsive and don't rush the storyline the title suggests.
- Samba La Bamba requires rhythmic precision in the entire percussion and rhythm section; rehearse the groove separately with full attention to subdivision before integrating the band.
How to use it
Program these four pieces as your complete opening concert of the season, or mix and match them throughout the year as you build skills progressively. The march and fanfare work naturally as opening and closing frames, while the character pieces can anchor repertoire study in the middle of the semester.
Skills your students will build
- Clear articulation in march style writing
- Ensemble balance between section parts and solo voices
- Reading and executing Latin rhythmic patterns
- Dynamic contrast and musical storytelling across contrasting styles
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated passages