Dem Bones: Concert Band Conductor Score

Michael Story's arrangement brings the spiritual into the beginning band setting without sacrificing the character that makes this tune memorable. The featured glissando passages in the trombone section give young players a technique to work toward and a moment to shine, while the Grade 1 accessibility means the rest of the band stays engaged and successful. Programming this piece builds both respect for the spiritual tradition and genuine enthusiasm in rehearsal.

The spiritual unfolds with quiet dignity and subtle humor, just as the text suggests. Those trombone glissandos arrive like a knowing wink, playful and confident, turning a sacred melody into something that invites both reverence and a smile.

Beginning and developing concert bands working at Grade 1 level will find this arrangement accessible and rewarding. Conductors seeking pieces that honor African-American musical heritage while keeping technical demands manageable will value the thoughtful balance Story achieves here.

• Establish a relaxed, swung feel in the opening measures to let the spiritual's character breathe naturally rather than playing it straight.
• Highlight the trombone glissandos as a moment for secure technique and clear articulation; isolate these passages in sectionals so trombones build confidence before full ensemble run-throughs.
• Balance the band so that melodic ideas in the upper voices remain audible even as lower sections provide harmonic support.
• Use dynamics marking as your guide for phrasing; the contrasts between sections help shape the story of the piece.

This works well as a concert opener that sets an engaging tone and immediately invites audience connection. Pair it alongside other spirituals or American folk traditions to build a thematic set, or program it alone as a palate-cleanser between more complex works where the directness and accessibility will feel refreshing.

• Executing glissando technique with control and musicality
• Reading and performing with swing feel and rhythmic flexibility
• Balancing ensemble texture while maintaining clarity of melodic line
• Interpreting the spiritual tradition with appropriate phrasing and style awareness